Allie Bernstein, 27
2024 is an election year, and the two running candidates are former president Donald Trump and current vice president Kamala Harris. These two politicians carry large reputations, and both have large groups of supporters. Given that they also have many people against them, they’re both in the process of doing whatever they can to sway people's votes in their favor. One might argue that the most important thing they could do to influence undecided voters is the selection of their vice presidents. In case of an emergency ending to either Trump or Harris’s presidency, it would be up to their vice president to take over and lead the country, so the selection of a vice president is not a decision taken lightly. Their running mate also aids in setting the tone for their campaign. On July 15th, Trump selected J.D. Vance, a senator from Ohio, to be his vice president. Three weeks later, Harris chose to run alongside Tim Walz, the 41st governor of Minnesota. These two men, with very different political ideologies, have the chance to be future leaders of the United States of America. Voters should be well informed on both of these politicians, before coming to a final decision on who they vote for in the 2024 election.
Tim Walz, a 60-year-old Minnesotan governor, has been characterized by the public as an empathetic leader to some, and a leader who is far too partisan to others. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Walz received praise for how he handled creating safety restrictions and limited the spread of the virus to the best of his abilities in Minnesota. However, many criticize his running mate Harris for how the Biden-Harris administration handled the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic, believing that Harris is partially responsible for the skyrocketing inflation in the country. Interestingly, Walz has also received criticism on how he handled his state’s economy during the pandemic. Business owners in Minnesota complained that funds for Covid-19 relief were misallocated and that they weren’t receiving enough support. Critics of Walz say that his administration pushes for significant spending without a plan for sustainable funding, something that most Americans believe the United States cannot handle given the current economic state of middle-class citizens. Another pressing issue in the United States is climate change, which is a topic that Walz has strived to address. In December of 2020, Walz established Minnesota's Climate Action Framework. This plan set goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting clean energy, demonstrating Walz’s dedication to increasing sustainability in Minnesota. Walz also spoke out in support of the Clean Water Fund, an organization tasked with improving water quality not just in Minnesota, but throughout the entire country. Many voters see Walz’s dedication to protecting the environment as an example of how he will care for citizens in the country.
While many are in support of Walz becoming the vice president, Vance has also received tremendous support. Two things stand out about J.D. Vance, the Ohio senator: His upbringing and his little experience in politics. Vance is not only a politician but also the author of the memoir HillBilly Elegy. In HillBilly Elegy Vance writes about his childhood growing up in a lower working-class family and dealing with his mother who struggled with addiction. He worked his way up to attending Yale law school, with no help from anyone but himself. Vance’s story encapsulates the American dream, making him an ideal politician to many citizens. The other interesting aspect about Vance is his limited experience in politics. In 2022, he was elected into parliament as a representative for Ohio. While Vance does have extensive knowledge of the law, only serving in parliament for two years versus Walz representing Minnesota for the past eighteen years is certainly a disadvantage. Many citizens are questioning his experience and ability to navigate complex legislative processes effectively. However, his inexperience is seen by others as a good thing. People like Vance’s freshness to politics, something that Walz lacks. Vance also speaks out on topics that many other politicians don’t focus on, given his unique upbringing. He discusses opioid addiction in the United States often, and how it has affected rural areas such as the Appalachian region where he grew up. J.D. Vance’s combination of a unique backstory and his advocacy for less-known social issues makes him a distinctive politician in modern-day politics, gaining him a significant amount of popularity.
Overall, the 2024 election holds immense significance to American politics and the future history of our country. Congressional control is swaying between the Republican and Democrat parties, so whoever is elected to office will show where the majority of the United States stands when it comes to current events, wants, needs, etc. State dynamics across the country are currently doubtful, and this presidential election will test how blue versus red states are influenced. Examining the vice presidential candidates is really just another way to get more insight into the presidential candidates' campaigns, and see if there are further flaws or benefits to consider. Having two voices to listen to rather than just one can help sway undecided voters.