A First-hand experiential analysis
of American Presidential elections
By Alex Osondu Atawa-Akpodiete*
After waiting hours for the results of the American elections, many
people went to sleep, hoping that they will wake up and hear a different
result. Those who though they were having a nightmare, woke-up and the dream
was still a reality. If you are in the Eastern part of the United States, you
knew those in the West, such as California, had just finished elections as you
went to sleep based on the three hour difference. Also, the global markets,
opened with a crash.
During the Republican Party primaries, Donald J. Trump’s sixteen
opponents did not give him a chance to win. He disappointed their expectations
and ran an unconventional campaign.
Again, the pollsters did not give him a chance of winning the
presidential elections on November 8, 2016. He won without support from
ex-Presidents and former Presidential candidates of his own party. It should be
mentioned that Trump had never been considered a Republican, but “converted” to
run for President under the Republican banner. Nonetheless, the former star of
the reality-TV show The Apprentice won. There are many lessons from the
American elections, but I will only mention a few here.
Do not believe the Polls.
For years, pollsters have dominated the American election systems. This
time they got it wrong. The polls predicted that former Secretary of State,
Hillary Rodham Clinton will win and become the 45th President of the
United States. Either they got the analysis wrong, or those they surveyed lied.
It is probably true that some people who claimed they would not vote for Trump
because it was not socially desirable, actually lied and voted for him. This
group did not want to be seen as supporting an alleged bigot or someone that
was painted by incumbent President Barack Obama (and others) as “uniquely
unqualified.”
Political-correctness has been rubbished.
Donald Trump commented that even if he shot someone, he will not lose
any supporters. He mocked women, minorities, war veterans, people with
disabilities and it did not seem to hurt him. It remains to be seen how America
will heal itself. He talked about building a war, without giving details of how
he would make Mexico pay for it. Even arrogantly claiming to “know more about
ISIS than the Generals”, did not hurt him. He boldly told African-Americans to
vote for him because they don’t have anything to lose. Apparently, some people
liked his rash candidness. The belief that if you are running for office, you
should watch what you say, no longer holds water.
The magic of the media.
Donald Trump, a former reality show star with a star on Hollywood, used his
mastery of the media to his great advantage. He knew that outlandish statements
will get attention. Even, sex-related pseudo scandals could help. He used fear
politics through the media, to his advantage. Trump’s divisive tactics worked. He was
always in the news, much to chagrin of his opponents. He consistently attacked
his opponents and anyone against him. He was taken as a joke by some people,
but the joke is now on them. Trump is a master at the branding and name
calling. His use of phrases like “Crooked Hillary” stuck with raucous responses
of “Lock Her UP” from his supporters. It shows what the Nazi propagandists
believed that if you tell a lie long enough, people will believe it. Also,
“Making American Great Again” resounded with non-urban white America, even
though the phrase was coined by Ronald Regan over thirty years ago. By
contrast, Hillary’s “Stronger together” was a week slogan for many.
When the people are frustrated, they will choose whomever.
Several Americans, especially the uneducated whites, have been
frustrated with the establishment and the economy. They claimed the foreigners
(illegal aliens) were taking away their jobs. It did not matter that Donald
Trump had allegedly used the same illegal aliens in his various business. The concern
was legitimate to the extent that even a Bachelor’s degree, could no longer
guarantee a job with livable and living wage. It appears as though those in
Washington were out of touch with the plights of some Americans and just like
Brexit, the people, gave the red card to establishment and said no to the
status quo.
Money makes a difference in politics.
Donald Trump came into prominence because of his supposed success as a
Real Estate mogul, propelled by the millions he inherited from his father. Although
he lost almost a billion dollars twenty years ago, his actual net worth is not
known because he refused to release his tax returns. He poured millions of his
own money into his election campaign. One thing that you can admire about Mr.
Trump is that he knows how to use the system to his advantage, whether filing
for bankruptcies or avoiding taxes. The irony is that the average person on the
street that supported Trump, will never make the kind of money he has made and
has probably paid more taxes that Donald Trump in the past ten years. The
amazing fact is that Hillary Clinton outspent Trump almost 5-1 in campaign
spending.
The power of the vote
I was privileged to work as an Election Judge in the main election, the
early voting and the primaries. There was an unprecedented turnout. Standing
for over thirteen hours was quite interesting when you are inundated with
people of different personalities. Although, the minorities did not turn out as
they did for the 2008 and 2012 elections featuring Barack Obama, the Hispanics
came out in record numbers and were expected to turn things around in
Battleground states like Florida. However, the turnout of rural white voters
and dissatisfied minorities countered the Hispanic surge. Also, the millennial
did not come out as much as they did in the last two Presidential elections
because neither of the candidates inspired them. It could also be that the
young voters felt they were voting for either a grandmother or grandfather that
was not in touch with burning issues for young America such as school loans and
affordable college tuition.
The influence of foreign issues on American politics
The Russians have been held liable for the hacking of emails that cast a
very negative shadow on Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Also, the ties of Trump and
his allies to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is yet to be established.
Hillary Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State has been over-shadowed by the
killing of the Americans in Benghazi. It did not matter that she was involved
in the killing of the mastermind of the 9-11 attacks on America, Osama Bin
Laden. The Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement and NAFTA (that Bill Clinton signed
into law, but negotiated by George Bush) featured prominently in the debate.
Who will bring back American jobs that have been “shipped” overseas? Syria,
ISIS, and Boko Haram in Nigeria were mentioned on the campaign trails. Also,
the deal with Iran did not go well with many Americans. In other words, trade
and security were major issues.
Whether or not his enemies and pundits like it, 70-year old Donald John
Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of
America on January 20, 2017, with a foreign-born first lady and complete
control of Congress (House of Representatives & Senate).
Alex O. Atawa-Akpodiete, worked as an Election
Judge in the American Presidential Elections, including Primaries and early
voting.
No comments:
Post a Comment