I don’t know how to start writing about the US elections 2024. This blog is purely a personal view of the elections as I am neither a US citizen nor an illegal immigrant in the US in a state where I can vote. My views count for nothing, it’s just me trying to analyse the elections from my limited understanding of geopolitics.
Disclaimer – Am a Bharatiya whose passport’s colour will never change, not in this lifetime, not in any other lifetime. I mention this because my views are coloured by what I think is good for India.
The Candidates – Donald Trump (ex-President) and VP Kamala Harris
Personally I didn’t like either candidate for President. Both came with a lot of baggage, none of which smelt good. As I wrote in my comment on a LinkedIn post, VP Kamala Harris has the same problem like Hilary Clinton did – she starts speaking and I tune out. She is just unable to connect with the audience.
For a politician, his/her ability to connect with strangers is a critical success factor. Not that Donald Trump is great at it, but he comes across strongly. Whatever his views, he backs himself when he is on a public platform. Maybe that played on the voter’s mind.
The US news media and the left leaning social media handles tried to prop up Kamala Harris as a saviour, the best of the best, and some kind of role model for women … while ex-POTUS Donald Trump was made out to be a convicted felon, racist and essentially no good.
Just one small tiny bit of truth that matters to India – President Trump was the one who spoke about Bangladeshi Hindus, and am sure it was just to get votes, but at least he mentioned their plight !!! VP Kamala Harris is yet to wake up to their plight, haven’t heard a peep out of her. The US media outlets can market anyone or anything, and it need not have any resemblance or even a distant relationship with the truth. 🙁
Are Voters Gullible ?
The answer is yes and no. In India, the CONgress managed to trick people (yet again) into voting for them in some seats by promising the moon, “Khatakhat”. Now after the elections when those gullible voters went and asked for the promised 8000 bucks, they received the trademark vacant smile of Pappu’s and a nice fat “Thenga” (in American English, this would translate as the middle finger, in meaning). But majority still voted for Mr. Modi and weren’t taken in by these gimmicks.
The question is whether US voters are gullible …. it appears that nearly 60% of the voting population has voted for Mr. Trump. That many people being gullible in a country that’s used to fake news and marketing gimmicks is a little difficult to digest. From the voting patterns, it almost appears as though people who voted for Mr. Trump wanted to ensure a landslide victory for him. That seems deliberate and with forethought, not accidental.
Mis-steps of The Democrats
Getting Mr. Trump thrown out of Twitter was not a great move …. his buddy Elon Musk bought Twitter and neatly aXed the Democrats out of power !!!
I could never understand why droves of illegal immigrants were allowed into the US. Then there were some tweets about how you don’t have to be a citizen of America to vote in the Presidential elections, in certain states. Well, those states where the Democrats have won, were the exact same states that allowed the illegal immigrants to vote. My math is bad, but even I can add this up.
President Joe Biden was not fully fit to be the President. Foisting him on the American people was in my opinion unfair. Every time he blundered, wobbled or hobbled his way through meetings, it was embarrassing. It can happen in India, we are used to the power strings being in someone else’s hands while someone else poses as the Prime Minister – we managed to survive that phase for 10 years. The US President has to look powerful for America to behave as the bully in geopolitics. Unfortunately President Biden couldn’t look or act tough.
That alleged botched up assassination attempt on Mr. Trump didnt do them any good…. even if it wasn’t the Democrats, they didnt make amends because the public believed it was them.
Why not Michelle Obama instead of Kamala Harris ? She is articulate, she is a woman and has the experience of being the First Lady twice. She has that connect with the audience. I like listening to her whether I agree or disagree with her. Or did the astute Mr. Obama know that this election was going to the Republicans and ensured VP Kamala Harris took the fall ?? Well, we will never know.
Finally ….my friends in the US are almost split down the middle. I have friends who are thrilled that Mr. Trump has become the President again and then I have friends who are utterly heart broken that he has.
My simple word of advise to both sides – we will outlive Presidents and those we don’t outlive, don’t matter anyway. We need to definitely ensure that the elected President doesn’t pass laws that makes life miserable for our friends and family and to our livelihood. But then again, we have survived bigger shocks and anyway, Mr. Trump gets to be President for just four years ! That’s the beauty of democracy. So take heart if you are sad about Mr. Trump’s victory… This too shall pass.
Signing off with the following pic which made my day, week, month … year even.
