Sizzling Elections

​Politics are always hot, but the 2016 U.S. presidential election is scorching. People who haven’t voted in decades are coming out of the woodworks to vote just to make a statement. As I’ve heard at many dinner parties over the last few months, plenty of Americans are motivated by their interest in voting against a particular candidate rather than in support of one. Numerous political commentators are throwing up their hands in confusion because this animosity-driven motivation to vote is unprecedented on such a grand scale.
 
Some people are voting for Hillary simply because she’s a woman. Others refuse to vote for her for the same reason. Most Hillary supporters stand by her extensive experience in Washington as Senator, First Lady, and Secretary of State, to name a few roles. And some others will always vote “Democrat” no matter whose name is on the ballot. And then there’s a huge number of people who are voting for Hillary is today’s election because she is the only one who can beat Trump.
 
Donald Trump is a man, and quite the manly man at that. This fact is a good enough reason for some voters. He has no political experience but endorses all the big Republican mottos. And he’s not Hillary, with her e-mail scandals, issues with Huma and questions associated with the Clinton Trust Foundation. Putting all these pieces together, he may become the next U.S. President.
 
As the election results unfold, brace yourself for history. One day you can tell your children how you witnessed the election where people voted against parties instead of for them, as it should be. Hopefully in the future, voters will be more excited about their choice candidates instead of fearful of the opponents.

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The Economist, September 24, 2016 Print Edition