By Jonas Odocha
Elections and electioneering in the US are a beauty to behold, especially when it involves a vacancy in the presidency as a result of termination of the constitutional 2 terms of eight years. The contest invariably is between the two major parties, the Republican Party [GOP] and the Democratic Party [Democrats]. Emergence of candidates of both parties is a manifestation of democracy in action as aspirants are drilled and grilled through primaries and debates, where candidates showcase their mettle and the people make their choices based on their conviction and conscience.
In 2008 the presidential election process was full of excitement as, for the first time in the history of the US, a black American of African descent was the frontrunner of the Democratic Party, striving to take over from the ruling GOP. This success story remains a landmark, and an indication that in a democracy there is no limit to gender, religion, colour or ability, but predicated on the will to achieve.
The 2016 presidential election is another exciting exercise. Contestants: a former first lady, a former Secretary of State and former Senator who emerged the choice of the Democrats and a billionaire Real Estate guru who believes he is not an “Establishment Politician” who surprisingly defeated other 17 “establishment” aspirants to emerge the GOP candidate.
There is apparent polarisation of American citizens with regard to who emerges victorious in November. While visiting the US in the heat of campaigns and debates and having interacted with various categories of voters, I am convinced that this will be a very close call. Reason: I came to the conclusion that the two major issues at stake revolve around TRUST and SECURITY. Most of my friends and their associates are not convinced that the issue of trust is“comfortable” with the candidate of the Democrats in view of revelations of “private server emails” and the Benghazi disaster. On the other hand they believe her opponent of the GOP may not be “comfortable” with Security matters because of his naivety of state matters and his unguarded speeches on immigration and religious extremism. You can now share this dilemma with me.
However the GOP candidate is blunt and appears to be telling majority of Americans what they would want to hear which may appear Politically Incorrect. The Democratic candidate is more diplomatic and cautious of hurting minorities and dreaded religious groups.
The polls immediately after the primaries showed that the Democratic candidate was double digits ahead of her opposing GOP candidate. As the weeks were rolling by, the gap began to shrink and as at today, the latter is ahead in frontline states and they both are toe-to-toe prior to the Monday September 26 final debate.
What verdict? Your guess is as good as mine but I suspect another shock as with the GOP primaries. November will tell!!!
*Written by Sir Odocha on September 23 after his return from the United States