US Presidential Election: Both Parties Are Responsible for Preventing Chaos

There are fewer than 20 days in the U.S. presidential election until Election Day on Nov. 5. The back-and-forth battle between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate former President Donald Trump has become a close contest.

The so-called “swing states” that have supporters for both candidates hold the key to the outcome of the race. Both camps have made repeated visits to seven of these states, including the “Rust Belt” Midwestern state of Michigan and the western state of Arizona, which shares a long border with Mexico.

Many citizens are suffering from the effects of inflation, and so they have a high level of concern about cost-of-living measures. Both candidates are competing to make campaign pledges such as measures to reduce the burden on household finances through tax reductions. Dealing with illegal immigrants from Central and South America and abortion rights are also major points at issue as well.

However, in the end, the biggest point that has come to the forefront in the campaign, in which personal attacks stand out more than policy debates, is whether Trump should be restored to office or stopped. The division in U.S. society, situated against a backdrop of widening disparity, appears to be intensifying the conflict about the sense of values that a nation ought to have.

Harris, a Black woman of Asian descent, is also a symbol of diversity. As befitting her origins as a public prosecutor, she has emphasized an attitude of defending the rule of law, freedom, and democracy. She says she is taking on President Joe Biden's policy of international cooperation.

The opposing Trump touts an “America First” policy. He appeals to many white conservatives, and during the election, he has repeatedly made statements encouraging deportation of immigrants, as well as sexist remarks. His supporters applaud him, even though it would come as no surprise if he had been disqualified after being found guilty in a criminal trial.*

During this election, foul-mouthed slanderous comments are flying around, and there have been many scenes in which it is difficult to understand whether it is a democratic superpower. Among other things, former President Trump bears a grave responsibility for inciting antagonism. However, the wildly enthusiastic support for “America First” should probably not be dismissed as a temporary boom.

It is disappointing that discussion concerning diplomacy and national security has not deepened, a reflection of the inward-facing orientation of U.S. society. Israel is spreading war in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine is lengthening. What role will the U.S. play in accomplishing world peace, and how will it deepen and improve its relationships with allied nations such as Japan? It is critical that both candidates discuss these points more.

In the previous election of 2020, there were a string of voting obstructions in various places, due to factional antagonism. Not acknowledging his defeat, Trump incited his supporters to raid Congress in an extraordinary series of events. If such chaos happens again, faith in U.S. democracy will be damaged. The effect on the international community cannot be ignored either.

Both the Democratic and Republican candidates certainly must enforce a fair election, and they must fulfill their duties to ensure a peaceful transition of power. The eyes of the world will also be watching after the election is over.

*Editor's note: A guilty verdict would not have disqualified former President Trump from seeking another presidential term.