With Vice President Kamala Harris now leading the Democratic presidential ticket after President Joe Biden's decision to step down, her campaign largely echoes Biden's ?finish the job? mantra, focusing on continuing his key policies if she wins the presidency. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is eager to return to the White House, aiming to achieve what he couldn't during his first term.

Harris has introduced a few new policy proposals since Biden's departure, such as measures to prevent price gouging by food producers and grocers, tax cuts for families, and efforts to lower housing costs and reduce medical debt. She has also called for eliminating taxes on tips for service workers, a proposal that Trump has similarly promoted.

Despite the general continuation of Biden's policies, Harris has committed to several ambitious goals, including codifying federal abortion rights, raising the federal minimum wage, implementing an assault weapons ban, and advancing voting rights legislation. While specific details remain limited, the policy divide between Harris and Trump on critical issues is evident, and their approaches could reshape American life in vastly different ways if elected.

Key issues and candidate positions:

- Abortion: - Harris: Advocates for federal legislation to protect abortion rights and opposes state-level bans. - Trump: Celebrates the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade and supports state decisions on abortion laws.

- Climate/energy: - Harris: Originally a Green New Deal supporter, now focuses on implementing Biden's climate initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act. - Trump: Promotes aggressive fossil fuel expansion, including increased drilling and a rollback of climate regulations.

- Democracy/rule of law: - Harris: Criticises Trump as a threat to democracy, leveraging her background as a prosecutor. - Trump: Hasn't committed to accepting election results and promises to overhaul federal agencies he claims are biased.

- Federal government: - Harris: Opposes conservative plans to dramatically shift the federal government to the right. - Trump: Plans to reissue orders to make firing federal employees easier and aims to reduce the size of the federal government.

- Immigration: - Harris: Supports comprehensive immigration reform and pathways to citizenship. - Trump: Promises mass deportations and reinstating strict immigration policies from his first term.

- Israel/Gaza: - Harris: Supports Israel's right to defend itself and a two-state solution, while emphasising civilian protection in Gaza. - Trump: Supports Israel's actions against Hamas but criticises some tactics and calls for stricter measures against pro-Palestinian protests.

- LGBTQ+ issues: - Harris: Stands against discrimination and supports LGBTQ+ rights, though specific plans are still emerging. - Trump: Advocates for restricting transgender rights and banning gender-affirming care for minors.

- NATO/Ukraine: - Harris: Continues Biden's unwavering support for Ukraine and NATO. - Trump: Questions U.S. support for Ukraine and proposes a reevaluation of NATO's role.

- Tariffs/trade: - Harris: Follows Biden's protectionist trade policies, including increased tariffs on Chinese steel. - Trump: Advocates for broad tariffs on nearly all imports and aggressive trade policies against China.

- Taxes: - Harris: Proposes extending and expanding tax credits for families, along with higher taxes on corporations. - Trump: Plans to extend his 2017 tax cuts and lower corporate taxes further while eliminating taxes on tipped income.

The 2024 presidential race presents voters with a choice between two distinctly different visions for the future of the United States, with Harris and Trump standing on opposite ends of the policy spectrum on nearly every major issue.

(ET)