One presidential candidate champions gun rights and pledges strict border security, while the other focuses on capping credit card interest rates and mandating insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization.
Can you guess which is the Democrat and which is the Republican?
As the election intensifies in its closing weeks, the traditional boundaries of party policy are becoming less distinct. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are working to broaden their support. The outcome may depend on how many disenchanted suburban Republicans back Harris, as well as how much of the Democrats' core groups—like African Americans, Latinos, young voters, and union members—shift their allegiance to Trump.
This shift is leading both candidates to adopt positions that would have previously alienated their supporters, challenging long-held beliefs about party identities.
“There are many issues that attract people to support President Trump, and honestly, these were once fundamental concerns for the Democratic Party,” said Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and now a prominent ally of Trump, in a recent interview.
Barbara Comstock, who co-chaired Nikki Haley's GOP presidential campaign earlier this year, has shifted her support to Harris. The former Republican congresswoman from Virginia expressed surprise at her increasing alignment with Democratic values, citing Harris' advocacy for an expanded child care tax credit, backing of a bipartisan immigration reform, and a foreign policy approach that sharply contrasts with Trump's admiration for figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“As a Republican, I feel like the Democrats are on my side now,” Comstock remarked in a recent interview.
Trump has consistently challenged the GOP's traditional values
For years, he has diverged from conservative principles on issues such as trade and foreign policy. However, this fall, he has pushed the envelope further, questioning the loyalty of social and small-government conservatives with an agenda that minimizes his anti-abortion stance and advocates for substantial government involvement in health care and the economy.
Last week, Trump proposed capping federal credit card interest rates at 10%, a suggestion that quickly drew the ire of fiscal conservatives. Just a month earlier, he expressed support for a federal mandate requiring insurance companies to cover IVF, which frustrated some social conservatives who believe embryos in this process should be safeguarded. Congressional Republicans have consistently voted against such measures.
When asked whether she considers Trump a conservative, Gabbard refrained from labeling him, instead calling his policies “common sense.”
She cited the Trump-backed criminal justice reform that shortened sentences for many inmates and pointed to a foreign policy stance aimed at minimizing U.S. involvement in conflicts, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“A lot of political independents and many Democrats no longer recognize the Democratic Party of today, where not a single member in the House or Senate is advocating for an end to the war in Ukraine,” Gabbard remarked.
Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., both former Democrats, have become the most prominent national surrogates for Trump as he seeks to attract undecided Democrats and independents. Meanwhile, the campaign has been slow to engage with other potential allies, such as Haley, who only recently made her first fundraising appeal in support of Trump.
Harris has implemented a structured initiative to engage Republican voters.
In contrast, Harris has established a well-structured approach to reach out to Republican voters.
Recently, her campaign has organized events focused on abortion rights, border security, and small business development, featuring Republican officials as speakers. During last month's Democratic National Convention, seven Republicans were given speaking opportunities. Additionally, numerous external organizations, such as Republican Voters Against Trump and the Anti-Psychopath PAC, are investing millions to assist Harris in engaging disillusioned Republicans.
Simultaneously, Harris has adopted a more assertive foreign policy stance. She has pledged to include a Republican in her Cabinet if elected and has begun to speak candidly about gun ownership and her readiness to use it.
“I’m a gun owner,” Harris told Oprah Winfrey during a recent interview.
“I had no idea!” Winfrey, a supporter of Harris, replied in surprise.
“If someone breaks into my house, they’re getting shot. Sorry,” Harris laughed in response.
Her commitment to strong U.S. leadership on the global stage has already garnered the backing of over 100 Republican national security and foreign policy officials from previous administrations, including those of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Trump. Notably, former Vice President Dick Cheney is among those who have switched their support.
Both candidates remain largely in sync with their respective parties.
While Harris and Trump are adopting policies aimed at the opposing side, their core priorities remain closely aligned with their party's traditions.
Trump firmly opposes abortion rights and takes pride in the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade, a change he attributes to his conservative appointees. He advocates for states to decide on abortion laws but intends to support a Florida law banning abortions after six weeks, a timeframe when many women may not yet know they are pregnant.
The former Republican president has promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and vows to complete a significant border wall to curb illegal immigration. He dismisses climate change as “a hoax” and proposes an energy strategy that heavily favors the fossil fuel sector. Additionally, he aims to extend tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans and opposes nearly all restrictions on gun ownership. He also strongly rejects diversity and inclusion initiatives meant to advance civil rights.
Nevertheless, his team believes his policy platform has elements that could appeal to persuadable Democrats.
Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes contended that the GOP candidate resonates strongly with African Americans, Hispanics, and members of labor unions. A key development came last week when the Teamsters Union, a steadfast supporter of Democrats, announced it wouldn’t back either presidential contender, a move interpreted as a significant advantage for Trump.
“We’re already deep inside their base, despite their claims to the contrary,” Hughes remarked.
In contrast, Harris, who entered the presidential race just eight weeks ago, is still in the early stages of outlining her policy agenda. However, her past actions and recent comments indicate a clear alignment with liberal policies.
Harris advocates for maintaining abortion rights as they existed under Roe. She supports a ban on assault weapons and seeks to extend to all Americans the $35 insulin price cap and the $2,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs that were implemented for seniors under President Joe Biden. She has also called for a ban on grocery price gouging and promotes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Harris has committed to taking aggressive measures to address climate change, though she now backs fracking—a departure from her 2020 stance. She is a strong supporter of labor unions and backs legislation aimed at protecting voting rights and addressing racial inequality.
"Vice President Harris’ message of opportunity and freedom resonates with core American principles that rise above party boundaries," stated her spokesperson, Mia Ehrenberg. "Anyone seeking to leave behind the chaos and division brought by Trump and chart a fresh course for America will find a place in Vice President Harris' campaign."