As an undecided voter, you hold remarkable influence over the direction of our nation. Like many others, you’re probably balancing feelings of hope and concern as election day draws near. Casting a vote is a deeply personal decision, especially amid so much swirling information—some accurate, some not—and with our country so divided, it’s easy to see why so many of us are on edge.
I recently caught up with an old friend, David, who confessed he’s still on the fence. David cares deeply about our country, particularly issues like immigration and the economy, and he’s feeling torn between voting for Vice President Kamala Harris or casting his vote for Donald Trump again. Our conversation was refreshingly open and honest, and in sharing our concerns, I hope you might find some clarity in deciding who to support.
First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: Donald Trump. Like many folks, you may have reservations about Trump’s behavior, rhetoric, personal agenda and whether he’s fit to lead. And you wouldn’t be alone—his insatiable hunger for adoration, tendency to distort the truth, and willingness to demonize anyone who challenges him have divided our country and left the world uncertain about where we stand.
Over the years, we’ve seen Mr. Trump align himself with authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, dismiss legitimate concerns about climate change, deny losing an election, contest the transfer of power, perpetuate harmful stereotypes about immigrants and revoke the laws that have allowed women the right to choose. Perhaps the greatest danger is how he has radicalized segments of our population, leading us into a perilous state of contentious division, distrust and divisiveness. His brand of nationalism, laced with white supremacy, has only served to tear our nation apart.
I agreed with David that Donald Trump is only part of the problem. The other looming threat we face is the orchestrated misinformation campaigns of China, Iran and Russia that are designed to confuse and sway voters. Bot-infested social media messaging and news outlets have become breeding grounds for falsehoods that paint Democrats as corrupt and inept. Misinformation about Kamala Harris, for example, has been rampant, portraying her as extreme or unqualified. There’s ample evidence that the Vice President Harris has proven herself to be a service-oriented leader who listens, learns, and adapts. Having been on the front lines as California’s Attorney General and Vice President who has contributed to our economic recovery, our support of Ukraine, and the bipartisan immigration reform bill killed by Mr. Trump, her commitment to American values and solid plans for moving our country forward are undeniable. Her policies on women’s rights, climate action, and economic growth reflect the kind of thoughtful, inclusive leadership that can guide us through these turbulent and unsettling times.
Kamala Harris is far from perfect—no candidate is—and she has much to learn—but David and I were able to see beyond the noise and focus on the real issues at hand. We differed on how to address some of these issues and agreed on others like what kind of country we wanted to leave our children and grandchildren. We also agreed on the kind of leadership our country needs in a world where global instability, widespread immigration, economic inequality, and climate change loom large.
David’s told me his biggest concern was the economy. Like many, he’s felt the pinch of rising costs and thought Trump had the edge over Harris when it came to business. Realizing our economy has been tied to factors that go beyond any one administration’s control and how much healthier our economy has become (i.e. more jobs, stronger stock market, a “soft landing” for inflation, etc.) and about Trumps bankruptcies, lawsuits and felony indictments, made David uncertain about who would be a better steward for America’s economy.
Since taking over from President Biden, Kamala Harris and her team have been working tirelessly to address these issues through responsible fiscal policies and long-term solutions that benefit working families. When discussing immigration—I admitted that the Biden Administration had to do a better job securing our border. David admitted that he had bought into some of the conspiratorial, fear-mongering rhetoric about Harris. My conversation with David didn’t change his mind—it gave him the clarity he was looking for to make a good decision, concluding that electing Trump would be less likely to benefit his family, community, or the country he loves. While Harris did not align with every single one of his views, she represented the better path forward for a united, safe and prosperous America.
To all undecided voters: I encourage you to think about what truly matters most. The stakes in this election are incredibly high. Our democracy, our values, and the future of the next generation are on the line. Please don’t let misinformation, fear, or slander—even from foreign bots—cloud your judgment. Take time to research facts from trusted sources, be open to the possibility that misinformation has played a role, and, above all, vote with the well-being of our children and country at heart.
As Americans, we’re in this together. Let’s elect a leader who will uplift, not divide us, or view those who disagree as “enemies.” Let’s choose hope, integrity, honesty, humility, and a brighter future by supporting a leader who truly cares.
