With the presidential campaign coming to a close and tensions mounting, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris implores American voters to participate on election day, reminding them of their love for the country and the promise of America. As voters face a choice between President Trump and Harris, the race has become increasingly tight, with both candidates making a final push in Pennsylvania to reach those who have not yet voted. Harris vows to bring a new generation of leadership to America as the first female president, but stresses the importance of every single vote in this pivotal election.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump: The Vice Presidential Race
The 2020 presidential election is one of the most closely watched in recent history, with both major party candidates facing high levels of scrutiny and intense competition. One of the key factors in this race is the choice of vice president, and both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have selected strong running mates.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is a Democratic senator from California who was selected as Biden's running mate in August 2020. She is the first Black woman and the first Asian American woman to be nominated for vice president by a major party. Harris has a long career in public service, having served as San Francisco's district attorney and California's attorney general. She is known for her tough stance on crime and her advocacy for criminal justice reform.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the incumbent president of the United States and the Republican nominee for president in 2020. He selected Mike Pence as his running mate in 2016, and Pence is seeking re-election with Trump in 2020. Pence is a former governor of Indiana and a conservative Christian. He is known for his loyalty to Trump and his support for the president's policies.
The Vice Presidential Race
The vice presidential race is an important factor in the overall presidential election. The vice president is the second-in-command and is responsible for taking over the presidency if the president is unable to serve. The vice president also plays a role in the administration, advising the president and representing the United States in foreign affairs.
The vice presidential race is often seen as a referendum on the presidential candidate. Voters who are undecided about the presidential candidate may be more likely to vote for a vice presidential candidate who they believe is more qualified or experienced. In 2016, for example, many voters who were not sure about Trump voted for Pence because they believed he was a more stable and experienced choice.
Top 5 FAQs About the Vice Presidential Race
Kamala Harris's running mate is Doug Emhoff. Emhoff is an attorney and the first male spouse of a vice presidential nominee.
Donald Trump's running mate is Mike Pence. Pence is the incumbent vice president and a former governor of Indiana.
The vice president is the second-in-command and is responsible for taking over the presidency if the president is unable to serve. The vice president also plays a role in the administration, advising the president and representing the United States in foreign affairs.
The vice president must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old, and have resided in the United States for at least 14 years.
The vice president is chosen by the presidential candidate and is confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP for taking 10 months to select a national president, while Amit Shah countered by pointing out dynastic practices among opposition parties. Reports suggest that the BJP will announce its new national president by the third week of April to replace JP Nadda. Nadda's tenure was extended until June 2024, but the new president will still be chosen after a process involving the party's 12-13 crore members.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi vehemently opposes the Waqf amendment bill during a Lok Sabha discussion, stating that it is an attack on the foundation of Parliament and the Constitution. He also alleges that the government has ulterior motives for pushing the amendment, including diluting the Constitution, defaming minorities, dividing society, and disenfranchising the minority community. He questions the timing of the amendment and accuses the BJP-led government of restricting religious freedoms in India.
US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by hinting at ways to stay in power beyond his second term. While the 22nd Amendment limits presidential terms to two, Trump believes there are "methods" to get around it. This raises concerns about the sanctity of democracy and the potential for abuse of power. The idea of a third term for any president has been largely rejected in American history, making this a crucial issue to watch.
The Indian Express has reported exclusively that the BJP may ask K Annamalai to step down as the party's Tamil Nadu president, in order to avoid having both BJP and AIADMK's state election faces come from the Gounder community. This move is seen as a strategic decision to strengthen the BJP's alliance with AIADMK, as both Annamalai and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami belong to this community. Despite his successful leadership style, Annamalai has reportedly been assured of a bright future within the party and has pledged complete loyalty.
The Lok Sabha braces itself for a heated session as the Centre brings back the divisive Waqf (Amendment) Bill for consideration and passage. The eight-hour debate, agreed upon by leaders from all major parties, could be extended after taking the sense of the House. The previously introduced bill had faced backlash from the Opposition and was sent to a Joint Committee for further scrutiny, leading to clashes over proposed amendments and dissent notes being allegedly redacted. Some of the biggest points of contention include allowing non-Muslims to hold key positions in the Waqf board, giving power to the District Collector to determine ownership of disputed property, and removing the tribunal's final decision clause.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font held discussions on enhancing bilateral relations between India and Chile, particularly in the economic, commercial, and societal sectors. They also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat and announced the start of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. The Chilean President is on a five-day state visit to India, accompanied by a high-level delegation.
The controversial Godman, Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year jail sentence for rape, has been granted a 30-day parole by the Haryana government. His release coincides with the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, raising questions about the timing of the decision. Ram Rahim's parole last year before the Haryana assembly elections was also met with criticism. With a mass following in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, the parole has sparked a debate on the influence of religious leaders in politics. IBNS, an objective news agency, strives to provide factual and unbiased news without any biases or agendas.
It has been speculated that K Annamalai, the current BJP Tamil Nadu president, may step down from his position as alliance talks between the BJP and AIADMK intensify. The move comes amid concerns over caste equations and the BJP's strategy to consolidate its hold beyond the western region of Tamil Nadu. Sources reveal that Annamalai has expressed complete loyalty to the party and may take on a national role or a different assignment in the state.
In a scathing attack, Tamil Maanila Congress leader and former Union Minister G.K. Vasan criticized the DMK government in Tamil Nadu for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Vasan accused the ruling party of using divisive issues to distract from their failures, corruption, and scams. He demanded a white paper on the alleged Rs 1,000-crore financial fraud involving the state-run corporation responsible for liquor sales. The Enforcement Directorate has conducted raids in connection with suspected financial irregularities, targeting the TASMAC headquarters, distilleries, and liquor contractors.
In his annual Gudhi Padwa rally, Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray criticized efforts to stir up communal tension over Aurangzeb's tomb. He urged people not to rely on WhatsApp forwards for historical information and reminded them that the Mughal ruler failed to defeat the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. Thackeray's comments come as right-wing groups call for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, leading to protests and violence.