Trouncing the poll predictions, Donald John Trump was elected
as the 45th President of United States. The stunning outcome of
Trump’s triumph over the formidable secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton has
confounded pollsters and political pundits. Despite the overwhelming support of
the left-dominated liberal media and political establishment, Trump managed to overshadow
the unique accomplishments of Clinton. From the beginning Hillary camp began to
receive massive support from unexpected corners which included artists, Holly
Wood Stars. As elections neared, President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and
Vice-President Joe Biden added heft with electrifying appeals. American media
too widely favored the Democrat camp. On the contrary, Republican camp was
almost deserted. Top leaders were unwilling to endorse Trump’s candidature for
his insinuating remarks against women, Muslims, Latinos, African-American and
Hispanics. Trump had to woo American voters single-handedly. Amidst the ruckus
of disparaging comments and open rebuke of from electorate media failed to hear
the voices that desperately wanted a change of establishment. Hence the
astounding victory of the real-estate dealer turned business man and TV
celebrity with no government or military experience have left the poll pundits
disillusioned. Except for IBD/TIPP and LA Times, all others failed to
prognosticate the election outcome. While the dubious profile of Trump
certainly pales in comparison to the astute statesmanship of Clinton, the inability
to listen to the silent majority has
come as a rude shock.
Incidentally, the Silent majority are deeply miffed by the
establishment and the elitist Washington clout. The discontent and frustration
has been slowly building up. Trump’s outreach to the commoners of Make America
Great Again as an outsider found consonance. On the contrary, Hillary’s image
as an insider with a message of “Stronger Together” and projecting herself as a
wife, mother and grandmother hardly stuck any cord. While the upwardly mobile
and educated, women were enthused. Gender became an irrelevant issue to the
American electorate. The prospect of having first women President, hardly
mattered to them. Aside, the brewing anti-establishment sentiment had crippled
Hillary’s chances of making it to the White House. Election results shows that
states dominated by the Urban masses, elite and superrich were pocketed by
Democrats. The putative Steel Belt/ Rust Belt straddling from the New York and
traversing to the west through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana,
Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin shifted their allegiances. The industrial
heartland, bordering the Great Lakes was seat of manufacturing till the 90’s.
Automation. Liberalisation of foreign trade policies and availability of the
cheap labor in far west resulted led to relocation of industries. Soon jobs and
opportunities have disappeared, people are now restive transforming the region
into a rustic belt. Fed up by the
policies that have hurt their employment and aggrieved by loss of businesses,
people voted to Trump, whose campaign was centered around themes of
“anti-globalization and anti-trade”. The unexpected outcome of the US
Presidential elections thus finds congruence with the stunning verdict of
Brexit.
Indeed, Brexit vote and US presidential elections rooted on
the basic premise that outsiders are making deep making inroads into their cozy
league resonated well with people. A hardline stance on immigration adopted by
the United Kingdom Independent Party (UKIP) in Britain and Republican nominee
Trump was welcomed both by country side Brits and Americans keenly. People and
especially the blue-collar workers are now feeling threatened by globalization
and growing ethnic minorities. They are averse to the idea of free trade and
international economic integration eagerly pushed by the political
establishments. Media cozying up in Ivory Towers and ensconced in the liberal
values divested of ground realities grossly failed in fathoming the anger and
frustration of the less-educated rural voters. Also, since Left-Liberal media
would ridicule and mock at the choice of the candidate, many voters refrained
from publicly citing their preference.
Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton will become the first
Presidential candidate to have lost an election despite winning the popular
vote since Al Gore lost to George W Bush in 2000. Till now in US Presidential
history three candidates Andrew Jackson, Samuel Tilden and Grover Cleveland in
19th century lost elections but won popular vote in 19th
Century.
Emerging victorious after the most bitter elections ever
fought, it cannot be “business as usual” for Trump. Though Trump irked several
topnotch Republican leaders during campaign, stunning success, compelled them
to toe in line. Republican party swept off Democrats completely by not only
having its Presidential candidate but regained control over both houses of
Congress. This will strengthen Trump’s position on foreign policies.
Like the colossal shock of Brexit verdict that dramatically
overturned the financial markets, Trump’s victory was marked by a sudden slump
in Dow Jones. Trump’s skepticism towards US trade pacts, specifically the North
America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) resulted in accruing initial losses to US
dollar and Mexican Peso. While US stock markets recovered following reassuring
remarks by Trump in Presidential speech volatility might prevail and the long
expected rate hikes might plague American markets. As expected, Trump’s call
for severe restrictions on immigration, huge tax cuts on super rich, has cast
shadow on the markets. Now Trump’s shock victory is sparking protests on
streets. While Trump in his public address after the elections sounded,
conciliatory and pledged to work together. But this may not allay the fears of
anti-Trump activists. Even nations who were swept off by the poll predictions
are now seriously reworking their approach towards US. Trump’s victory is envisaged as the rise of
the right wing. On the contrary in the post globalization world, the ever-widening
inequities, growing unemployment and dearth of opportunities has compelled
people to aspire for closed boundaries. So, it is no longer a right versus left
ideological rift but rather a preference for closed economies as opposed to 21st
century phenomenon of open markets. Stunning outcomes of election results in
various nation at the turn of century is an out lash against globalization.
While the election raised several concerns among nations
owing to the unpredictability and uncertainty of Trump, India is least
dismayed. All through his campaign, Trump held India in good regard and
described himself as big fan of India in one of the election rallies at New
Jersey. Certainly, India would look
forward to deepening with the US. But his anti-immigration rhetoric continues
to dismay Indian businessmen.
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