2024 Election Heats Up: VP Picks, Military Concerns, and Campaign Claims

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, various aspects of the campaign are coming under increased scrutiny. The vice presidential candidates for both major parties are facing particular attention, with their past actions and decisions being closely examined.

JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, is preparing to dissolve the last remnants of his charitable efforts. These organizations were established following the success of his book "Hillbilly Elegy" in 2016. The charities aimed to address issues in Ohio and other Rust Belt states, focusing on job opportunities, mental health treatment, and the opioid crisis. However, one organization folded within five years, and Vance put the other on hold when he ran for the Senate in 2022.

On the Democratic side, Tim Walz, the running mate of Kamala Harris, is facing renewed attention over a past incident. In 1995, Walz was arrested for driving under the influence in Nebraska. He later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving in March 1996. This event occurred long before Walz entered politics, but it has resurfaced as he steps into the national spotlight.

Meanwhile, members of Congress are expressing concerns about potential military involvement in the election process. They have written to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and General CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, urging them to reaffirm the military's non-partisan stance and its legal limitations in domestic affairs. This action comes in the wake of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, which aimed to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's victory.

Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, recently held a press conference where he made several claims about the economy and his opponents. However, fact-checkers have noted that many of these statements were exaggerated or misleading. For instance, Trump's claim about inflation costing households $28,000 is significantly higher than independent estimates, such as Moody's Analytics' calculation of $8,500 per year.

"As a result of Kamala's inflation, price hikes have cost the typical household a total of $28,000. ... When I left office, I left Kamala and crooked Joe Biden a surging economy and no inflation. The mortgage rate was around 2%. Gasoline had reached $1.87 a gallon. ... Harris and Biden blew it all up."

Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, has also faced scrutiny over her shifting positions on various issues throughout her political career. These include changes in stance on topics such as fracking, cash bail, health care, immigration, and gun control.

As the election draws nearer, it is crucial for voters to stay informed about the candidates' positions, past actions, and the accuracy of their claims. The 2024 presidential race continues to be closely watched, especially in light of the events following the 2020 election.