Syed Nasir Ershad
Some people say that the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election is no longer for Hillary Clinton to lose but for Donald Trump to win. It is not because of a few polls putting the Republican nominee ahead of the Democratic nominee. It is because Hillary remained unexciting. From the voters’ point of view, selecting a leader often proves not to be about experience but about change. Clinton does not have it, while Trump has plenty. Of course with a few more months to go before the election, turning the situation into anybody’s favor is absolutely possible.
First, let’s talk about what makes Clinton unexciting. Few disagree that she, the former first lady, secretary of state and senator, is smart and calm under fire. These presidential qualities do not work magic on her and rather juxtapose with many images of her husband. Every time Bill Clinton’s former or estranged lovers came out of the closet and threatened his political life, Hillary kept her calm, at least in the public, and handled the situation with maturity. Now, these laudable traits do not make one feel sympathetic towards her, but rather question whether she is that eager to be president as to condone her unfaithful husband.
Then, her obsession turned into inertia, immobilizing her against a series of attacks from her handling of official emails during her stint as secretary of state until it gnawed her credibility to the bones. It also perhaps made her settle for Tim Kaine rather than firebrand Elizabeth Warren.
In Hillary’s mind, the male presence in the mundane Kaine would look better to voters than the all-woman pair. That was typical of Hillary and being typical will not boost her winning chances.
Going back it can partially explain why she allowed the leftist Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to breathe down her neck to the wire and is being pushed and shoved by the racist, sexist Trump, whose every word has proved to be a disaster or close to one. But one giveaway is his “Make America great again” slogan is catchy and pulls at the heartstrings of millions of mostly simple-minded Americans.
Hillary should understand that it is important to take the fight to where it should be fought. In other words, if uneducated male Caucasians comprise the core of Trump supporters, Hillary should give them up. Her focus is to bring together the rest of the population. This means preventing them from straggling into the Trump camp or voting with their feet. Also making the women, young people, educated males and the likes believe in her.
Hillary should strategize ways to galvanize this crazy quilt of voters into action, voting for her. But those who talk as if the Trump victory would be the end of the world should not think so. Because it is not possible for a ‘President Trump’ to singlehandedly change the world for the worse. What is worrying is the energy that feeds the Trump phenomenon. That energy is from the ordinary people who feel they are not getting their fair share and are subject to shakedown by the powerful. If that balance can be shaken, then Trump or No Trump will not have the capacity to make a big difference.