Trump Surge Signals Cliffhanger US presidential polls

Economy Takes Stage In US Presidential Elections

By Manish Anand

New Delhi, October 15: The US Vice President, Kamala Harris, is counting celebrity endorsements. Anne Hathaway also endorsed Harris for the polls slated for two weeks later.

But Harris may begin worrying. The last leg of the polls may pin her down to counter pains of an economy under the shadow of recession.

Reports said that poll managers of Harris are urging upon her to campaign hard among the Blacks and the Latinos. Inflation is gaining the centre stage in the polls.

Sniffing the possible fast-paced changes in cues that may decide the poll outcomes, Trump’s stock has turned favourite at the stock market. Trump’s social media firm, Trump Media and Technology, rose by 18.5 per cent on Monday.

Also Read: Trump Engineers ‘Operation Aurora’ For Poll Gains over Harris 

In the last few days, the investors are rushing to Trump stock in anticipation of his victory in the polls. Reports also said that coloured men are more likely to vote for Trump than Harris.

Variety in a report stated that Trump’s social media company has not come out with any cues of financial performance to justify stellar run on the exchange. “TMTG, which has posted net losses to date, has not released any notable financial news in the past three weeks that would have spurred the jump in the stock price,” said Variety in a report, adding that “investors believe that Trump will defeat Harris”.

The New York Times in a report said that the Black and Latino voters are most likely to throw their weight behind Trump. Such voters, said the report, are miffed with the state of the economy.

The recent elections in Europe and South America have seen voters punishing incumbent dispensations for reasons attributed to the state of economy. Energy prices kept inflation hot for over two years now.

Harris is inviting legacy challenges on poll turf for being a part of Joe Biden administration. “I am Kamala Harris, and I am not Joe Biden,” Harris had shrugged off her ownership of the lacklustre economy in her last debate with Trump.

Also Read: Inflection point in US election after Kamala Harris proves mettle

“This could prove crucial in a race that looks set to be decided by razor-thin margins. And even if this polling is off, in key battleground states modest gains among black or Latino voters could ultimately sway result,” said BBC World in a report on Monday, while spotlighting firm foothold of economy in the polls.

The broadcaster stated that “the economy, particularly inflation and the cost of living, is the primary issue for a majority of voters”. Trump is appealing to such middleclass voters with promises to cut their energy bills by half.

The recent polls in the UK, France, Mexico, and elsewhere saw incumbents voted out amid inflation ascending to the centre stage of elections. Harris is also seen making light of anti-immigration plank of Trump.

Analysts are linking inflation and anti-immigration plank of Trump as two issues that may swing outcomes of the polls. With Harris lately leading Trump with two per cent in opinion polls, a cliffhanger of the outcome appears in store.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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