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Fiscal Policy
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- Harris emphasizes that wage increases have outpaced inflation since the pandemic,
contrasting this with Trump’s plans to further cut taxes for the wealthy 1.
- Harris advocates for growing the economy by expanding the middle class and defending
core democratic principles, positioning her strategy against Trump's vision of
economic policy favoring the rich 2.
- She has embarked on an Economic Opportunity Tour to highlight and defend the
economic policies enacted under the Biden administration while criticizing Trump's
economic agenda 3.
- Harris aims to focus on lowering costs for working families, restoring freedoms, and
bringing jobs and supply chains back to the U.S. This indicates a continuation yet
possibly a more intensified focus on certain economic aspects compared to Biden 4.
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- The GOP platform makes references to slashing or "reining in" wasteful spending 1.
- Stephen Moore, a senior visiting fellow in economics, wants a greater emphasis on
'fiscal responsibility and cutting government spending' than in Trump's first term
2.
- The Trump campaign promises to curb inflation and address spiraling crime rates if
re-elected 3.
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- RFK Jr focuses on the affordability crisis and criticizes "forever wars," suggesting
a reallocation of resources to more pressing domestic issues 1.
- He is critical of how neither major party addresses issues such as inflation, the
national debt, and the affordability crisis, focusing instead on pressing domestic
concerns like rising healthcare costs and political divisions 2.
- Kennedy's fiscal policies are shaped by his stance against the current two-party
system and corporate corruption, emphasizing independent policies that prioritize
the best interests of the American people 3.
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Abortion Rights
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- Vice President Kamala Harris has openly advocated for federal protections on
abortion rights, proposing during her first presidential campaign that states should
clear laws regulating abortion with the Department of Justice to ensure their
constitutionality before they take effect, a measure aimed at limiting state
restrictions on abortions 5.
- Harris embarked on a nationwide Reproductive Freedoms Tour to highlight and counter
attacks on abortion access, a centerpiece of her tenure as vice president, and she
attended her first stop in Wisconsin on the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade,
showcasing her proactive stance on the issue 6.
- She proposed legislation that would federally protect a woman's right to choose, a
stark contrast to some of the more cautious approaches seen in Biden's tenure,
although she shares the fundamental viewpoint that women should be able to make
their own healthcare decisions without political interference 78.
- Harris' aggressive stance on protecting abortion rights includes becoming the first
president or vice president to visit an abortion clinic, indicating her willingness
to place herself directly in advocacy roles, which may be seen as more front-line
than Biden's more traditional executive actions 9.
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- Donald Trump has positioned abortion as an issue to be determined by states rather
than at the federal level 4.
- He has taken credit for the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v.
Wade, owing to his appointment of three conservative justices 56.
- Critics, including the Biden-Harris campaign, argue that Trump’s actions, such as
overturning Roe v. Wade, have caused significant harm to women’s reproductive rights
78.
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- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s position on abortion has evolved throughout his campaign,
but he currently supports unrestricted access to abortion until the fetus is viable
outside the womb 45.
- Despite some inconsistencies and changes in his stance, Kennedy ultimately supports
abortion rights "up until a certain number of weeks and restricted thereafter" and
has emphasized that late-term abortions should be allowed only to save the life of
the mother 67.
- Kennedy has clarified that he would not leave abortion policy up to individual
states and believes it should be a woman's right to choose 89.
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Climate & Energy
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- As a presidential candidate in 2019, Kamala Harris proposed an ambitious $10
trillion climate plan aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, with targets
such as 100-percent carbon-neutral electricity by 2030 and a ban on fracking 10,
11.
- Harris has a history of prosecuting environmental violations, securing substantial
settlements from corporations like Volkswagen and ConocoPhillips, demonstrating her
commitment to holding polluters accountable 12,
13.
- As vice president, Harris was significantly involved in promoting the Inflation
Reduction Act (IRA), the largest climate investment in U.S. history, and announced
major U.S. climate commitments at COP28, such as doubling energy efficiency and
tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 14.
- Harris co-sponsored the Green New Deal, advocating for a dramatic increase in
renewable energy production, which marks a more aggressive stance compared to
Biden’s initial, less extensive climate policies 15.
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- Trump has frequently called climate change a hoax and overturned approximately 100
environmental regulations during his first term, while pulling the U.S. out of the
Paris Agreement 910.
- His second term plans include further breaking from international climate
cooperation and removing constraints on U.S. fossil fuel production 11.
He aims to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act and downsize the EPA if re-elected 12.
- Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act, which provides funding for public
lands, outdoor recreation, and maintenance, though critics see this as
window-dressing 13141516.
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- Kennedy’s career as an environmental lawyer and activist means he has plenty of
knowledge of the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming.
He has supported federal actions to address these issues 10.
- An older policy page from Kennedy’s website mentioned plans to incentivize
zero-waste cycles and clean energy sources, but these plans have since been
abandoned from his current agenda 11.
- Initially, Kennedy pledged to ban fracking outright but later revised this stance,
acknowledging that an immediate and total ban would be economically unrealistic.
Instead, he supports removing subsidies and a moratorium on new exploration 12.
- Over his career and campaign, Kennedy has built a reputation as an environmental
lawyer advocating against pollution, although his recent policy specifics have been
lacking 13.
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Democracy & Rule of Law
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- Kamala Harris has been a steadfast defender of the rule of law throughout her
career, as demonstrated by her experience and effectiveness in holding figures like
Donald Trump accountable for their actions, including significant felony indictments
1617.
- Harris has taken a more front-line approach in defending democratic principles and
ensuring accountability compared to Biden’s more traditional executive actions. This
includes her proactive cross-examination of conservative Supreme Court nominees and
direct advocacy on various issues such as reproductive rights 181920.
- Aligning with democratic values, Harris has praised Biden’s transformational
leadership and demonstrated her commitment to continuing his legacy while enhancing
it with her proactive stance on key issues, indicating a more vocal and active
engagement 2122.
- Harris’ prosecutorial background and public confrontations showcase her willingness
to directly challenge undemocratic forces and uphold the rule of law, contrasting
with Biden's more institutional approach 232425.
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- Trump's lack of respect for the norms of democracy includes attacks on legal
verdicts and the legal system, with critics calling for a commitment to those norms
to preserve democracy 171819.
- Critics, including those from the Biden camp, argue that Trump’s actions and
rhetoric have damaged public trust in democratic governance and the justice system
2021.
- Federal prosecutors emphasize that no one, including Trump, is above the law,
countering claims that legal actions against him are partisan 22.
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- Kennedy advocates for a return to a more democratic and open political process,
criticizing both parties for corporate corruption and the manipulation of the
Democratic Party nomination process to favor President Biden 1415.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged a return to transparent government and intends to
battle the entrenched bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., in an effort to protect civil
liberties and democracy 16.
- He argues that the two-party system is broken and has been captured by corporate
interests, necessitating independent policies that will prioritize the American
people's best interests over corporate agendas 1718.
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Foreign Policy
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- Kamala Harris has traveled extensively, visiting 21 countries on missions that
involve a wide range of foreign policy issues including humanitarian efforts and
military matters 26.
- Harris has largely aligned with Joe Biden on major foreign policy issues, including
maintaining robust relations with China and firmly supporting Ukraine against
Russian aggression. She has labeled Russia's actions in Ukraine as "crimes against
humanity" 27.
- One area where Harris might diverge from Biden is on the issue of Israel. While she
has not opposed Biden's staunch support for Israel, she has shown signs of being
tougher on the Israeli-Gaza conflict, expressing sympathy for Palestinian casualties
and calling for a temporary cease-fire 2829.
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- Trump’s foreign policy is characterized by a transactional view of foreign aid and a
preference for direct negotiations and deals, often bypassing traditional diplomatic
channels 2324.
- Trump has taken a hardline stance on China, including imposing tariffs of up to 60%
on imports and advocating for new restrictions on Chinese-owned infrastructure in
the U.S. 2526.
- Trump has criticized NATO allies for not meeting their financial commitments and has
warned that the U.S. would not intervene in case of a Russian attack on allies not
meeting their obligations 272829.
- Trump has taken a hardline stance on Iran, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.
He has also expressed support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza and has
a history of ambitious statements about resolving Middle East conflicts 303132.
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- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. talks immigration, civil liberties, and foreign policy as he
pledges a return to transparent government and a battle against D.C. bureaucracy 19.
- Kennedy has admitted changing his position on border policies. Initially, he thought
an open border was humanitarian, but later he supported restoring both physical and
technological barriers at the border 20.
- Kennedy’s foreign policy is influenced by his stance against "forever wars,"
advocating for the unwinding of the military-industrial complex to invest resources
in the middle class 21.
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Immigration
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- Vice President Kamala Harris has been the administration's point person on
immigration, a central issue she has confronted through extensive travel and
diplomatic efforts, distinguishing her as a proactive figure in this policy area 30.
- She has often been criticized by Republicans for her more liberal immigration
positions compared to Biden, who they argue has used Harris to cover weaknesses in
his own immigration policies 3132.
- Harris' response to anti-immigrant sentiments, like those expressed by Trump, has
been forceful and immediate, highlighting her commitment to defending immigrant
communities and opposing divisive rhetoric, which contrasts with Biden’s more
measured approach 33.
- While tasked by Biden with addressing migration to the southern border, Harris has
not deviated significantly from his overall stance, but her proactive diplomacy and
direct involvement in immigration issues present a more hands-on approach compared
to Biden's broader executive oversight 34.
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- He asserts that under his presidency, the U.S. had the most secure border in history
33.
However, data shows fluctuations in border security with illegal immigration rising
particularly towards the end of his term 343536.
- Trump has pledged to act decisively on immigration if re-elected, even suggesting a
dictatorial approach to close the southern border on his first day in office 37.
- He claims that illegal immigration steals jobs from Americans and places a
particular emphasis on its negative impact on Black workers 38.
- During his first term, Trump implemented Title 42 to expel migrants quickly under
the pretext of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered the reporting of
immigration data 39.
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- Kennedy advocates for the deportation of any undocumented person who has committed a
crime in the U.S. and those already in deportation proceedings 22.
- He supports reestablishing Trump’s "Migrant Protection Protocols," which require
asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for court hearings 23.
- Kennedy advocates for aggressive border policies, including a nationwide passport
card program to make it harder for undocumented people to find work in the U.S. 24.
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Ukraine & Russia
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- Vice President Kamala Harris aligns closely with Joe Biden's stance on Ukraine and
Russia, explicitly labeling Russia's actions in Ukraine over the past two years as
"crimes against humanity" 35.
- Harris has shown no indication that she will diverge from Biden's overarching
support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, maintaining a consistent and firm
stance against Russian aggression 36.
- While Harris might vary from Biden on some other geopolitical issues, such as taking
a potentially tougher stance on Israel over the Gaza conflict, no significant
changes are expected in her position on Ukraine compared to Biden's 37.
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- Donald Trump has asserted that he could quickly end the war between Russia and
Ukraine if he is elected president again 4041.
Trump plans to demand that Ukraine hold peace talks with Russia as a precondition
for continuing US support 424344.
- While Trump claims he can resolve the conflict swiftly, no detailed plans have been
publicly disclosed, resulting in skepticism from various observers, including Russia
4546.
- During his presidency, Trump made statements about avoiding extensive financial aid
for Ukraine, emphasizing that the conflict did not align with long-term American
interests 474849.
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- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticizes U.S. support for Ukraine’s war, suggesting instead
a focus on more pressing domestic issues 25.
- He opposes U.S. aid to Ukraine and accuses the U.S. and NATO of creating a "proxy
war" with Russia 26.
- During his campaign, Kennedy has stated his opposition to "forever wars," indicating
a preference for reallocating resources from international conflicts to problems
within the United States 27.
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Israel & Gaza
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- Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed sympathy for the more than 38,000
Palestinian lives lost during the conflict and was one of the first high-profile
members of the administration to call for an immediate temporary cease-fire,
acknowledging the “immense scale of suffering” in Gaza and describing the
Israel-Hamas war as a “humanitarian catastrophe” for innocent civilians 38.
- Although Harris generally aligns with Biden's foreign policy positions, her calls
for a temporary cease-fire and her explicit sympathy for Palestinian casualties set
her apart, suggesting she could be more proactive in addressing the humanitarian
aspects of the conflict 39.
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- Trump is recognized as a strong backer of Israel and has made significant policy
moves supporting Israel, including relocating the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli control over the Golan Heights, and brokering the
Abraham Accords 5051.
- He stated that the U.S. should let Israel "finish the job" in Gaza, a remark
indicative of his support for continued Israeli military actions 52.
- He has promised major donors to back Israel’s war on terror and has called for
retribution against pro-Palestinian campus protesters 5354.
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- RFK Jr. has defended Israel’s no-limits war on Gaza, aligning with Biden 28.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that Israel has a right to exist but contends they
do not have a right to commit war crimes, emphasizing that both Hamas and Israel
should be held accountable 29.
- He characterized Trump's support for Israel as unlimited and indicates that while
Biden's approach might be less severe, it is not significantly different 30.
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Gender & LBGTQA+ Rights
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- Kamala Harris has actively opposed policies restricting discussions of sexual
orientation and gender identity in educational settings, as demonstrated by her
criticism of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law during a Pride Month event. This
positions her as an ardent supporter of LGBTQ rights 40.
- Harris has placed herself directly in advocacy roles, illustrated by her becoming
the first sitting vice president to visit an abortion clinic, which underscores her
proactive stance on gender and LGBTQ issues. This approach is more front-line
compared to Biden’s traditional executive actions 41.
- Harris introduces significant elements of race and gender into the political
landscape, distinguishing her from Biden whose earlier efforts did not focus as
intensely on these aspects. Her candidacy thus brings a more vocal and direct
approach to gender and LGBTQ issues 42.
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- Donald Trump has expressed support for banning transgender women and girls from
competing on girls' and women’s athletics teams 5556.
- He has been described as providing equal opportunities without pandering to or
marginalizing LGBT voters, emphasizing success and freedom for all 57.
- Trump was noted as the first president elected in history to support LGBT marriage
from day one, which has been cited as making it easier for gay voters within the
Republican Party 58.
- Despite these stances, his platform includes segregating sports by biological sex
and ending taxpayer funding for gender transition surgeries, which some view as not
inherently hateful but controversial 5960.
- Trump's platform has removed explicit anti-gay marriage language, indicating that
Republican candidates can freely adopt their own positions on the issue 6162.
- Critics argue that Trump and his allies are running to diminish LGBTQ rights, with
significant concern from the LGBTQ community about his policies 63.
- Trump's administration has not called for the eradication of transgenderism or
legally prohibiting gender transition for adults, nor has it sought to repeal
anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals 64.
- During his campaigns, Trump has worked to increase support from gay voters, with a
notable rise in gay voter support from 14% in 2016 to 28% in 2020 65.
- The Log Cabin Republicans, a conservative LGBT group, have been supporters of Trump,
citing his commitment to fostering conditions for their community to thrive 666768.
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- Kennedy has referred to transgender rights as part of broader "culture war" issues,
distinguishing them from what he considers "existential" problems such as inflation
and housing supply 31.
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