ViewsWeek Views from around the world
Now that Donal Trump has formally been confirmed as the Republican candidate at the GOP convention in Cleveland, America is all set for one of the most contentious presidential races in recent history, the results of which will have serious ramifications for the America’s domestic and international policies.
Trump’s challenger and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton brings along a mix baggage of charisma, experience, leadership, controversy, scandals and significant voters distrust. Even though the latest New York Times projections give her an overwhelming 76 percent chances of electability, Secretary Clinton remains a vulnerable candidate.
Mr Trump’s lack of experience and rhetoric-filled vision for the US brings no promise for the struggling middle class, the economy, deep ethnic and racial divisions nor does it offer any hope to the 11 million undocumented immigrants, people of color and minorities, especially Muslims. His shallow reform agenda will bring more harm than good to the US economy and damage the delicate social fabric.
His extremist worldview is also bound to isolate America internationally. But despite his unrealistic domestic and international agenda, Mr. Trump remains a threat to Secretary Clinton. His bombastic style of politics is bound to keep political temperature boiling till November ballot and may make this election one of the nastiest in recent times. Ms Clinton’s poor voting record in Senate, her questionable performance as secretary of state and the email scandal are all bound to haunt her campaign in the face of a determined Republican onslaught lead by known bad mouths.
Despite all her vulnerabilities, Ms Clinton is still expected to prevail but that is possible only when American voters come out and exercise their right to reject the forces of bigotry, hate and fear that Mr Trump so proudly represents. Trump’s ascendance as Republican nominee has brought American democracy at a crossroads where only American voters can save it from a total disaster. The average American voter knows the stakes in this election and will make history by delivering Ms Clinton the presidency this November.
