In Tied Presidential Race, Harris and Trump Have Contrasting Strengths, Weaknesses

• James Pethokoukis at American Enterprise Institute writes that the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, will act as an external consulting group to the Trump White House, aiming to provide recommendations to streamline government operations by July 4, 2026.

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• The commentary argues that Washington policymakers should examine actionable proposals for improving healthcare, Social Security, and tax reform. These policies emphasize market incentives, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth, as discussed in the AEI report "A Balanced Plan for Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth."

• William H. Frey at Brookings writes that despite claims of a multiracial transformation, Trump's support remains predominantly among white voters, with only modest gains among Latino or Hispanic voters and minimal shifts among Black voters.
• The analysis asserts that the long-standing racial voting divide persists, with Democrats retaining significant support from Black and Latino or Hispanic voters, questioning any significant transformation of the GOP voter base.

• William A. Galston and Elaine Kamarck at Brookings discuss the importance of presidential debates in addressing voter concerns, highlighting Kamala Harris's effort to define herself and correct misconceptions about her political stance and capabilities.
• The commentary asserts that Donald Trump's debate performance was inconsistent, often veering off-topic and failing to broaden his appeal beyond his base, indicating a potential challenge for his campaign in attracting new supporters.

• Samantha Gross and Louison Sall at Brookings argue that Donald Trump advocates for a shift in U.S. energy policy, focusing on fossil fuels, reducing regulations, and opposing renewable energy initiatives to lower energy costs and achieve "energy dominance."
• The article asserts that Trump's ability to implement his energy agenda depends on Congress and the courts, with recent Supreme Court decisions potentially aiding his deregulatory efforts in a second term.

• Bryan Burack at Heritage Foundation writes that the Trump administration's significant foreign policy legacy was its strategic response to China's economic warfare against the U.S., emphasizing the importance of maintaining these measures for deterrence.
• The article asserts that the Biden administration has adopted a less assertive approach, reviving engagement policies with China due to concerns that aggressive economic protections might provoke conflict, which has led to counterproductive security tradeoffs.