During the last two weeks, the Guyana media was saturated with salivating and sensational issues that is fodder for commentators. The opposition media is stunned by former President, Jagdeo’s comments in New York about systematic racial discrimination against Indians. Former Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran told us that Cheddi Jagan would be turning in his grave because Jagdeo is playing ethnic politics and has now transformed the PPP. In the midst of this all, comes the most bombastic statement from a respected leader of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Eric Phillips, who warned that “denying the descendants of Africans in Guyana their just reparations in terms of lands is simply another ‘crime against humanity’ by those who came after them (meaning “Indians”?). No doubt there is much to discuss in Guyana. But my comments on those issues will have to wait.
If we take our heads out the Guyana sandbox, we can see that a quixotic election is taking place in the United States between the two opposing presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Anyone following the 2016 Presidential election in the United States would have been wary of the pomp and pageantry that accompanied both the Republican and Democratic Conventions. Pollsters will tell you that elections are won on the basis of organization and likability of the candidate, unlike in Guyana, where racial perspectives trumps (no pun intended) everything. This is not to suggest that race is not an issue in American politics. It very much is. Trump is seen as a candidate who dislikes Muslims and immigrants, while the Democratic Party is seen as a party that represents all minorities. But the difference between Guyana and American politics is that race does not play such a major factor in American elections today.
The Conventions are over and the official campaigns have started. Between now and November, most Americans who will vote, will make up their minds on how to cast their votes, if they have not done so already. The uniqueness of this election presents two candidates who have their own weaknesses, Trump being an unconventional candidate and Clinton with what Americans refer to as her high un-favourability factor. This electoral campaign is characterized by an “insider” candidate (Clinton) who knows how to play politics (given the Clintons engagement in politics long before Hillary Clinton was President Barack Obama’s Secretary of State). Trump is seen as the candidate who represents the “outsider” factor by people who are fed up with career politicians who play politics as usual. Both candidates, particularly Trump, have been waging a dirty, “cuss down” kind of campaign, though Trump seems to be the one most willing to engage in dirty politics using derogatory language to describe his opponent.
Surprisingly, Donald Trump seems to have a favourable shot at winning the election in November. His popularity seems to be based in two key positions. The first one has to do with his jingoistic language and willingness to use force against ISIS and their supporters to protect Americans against terrorism. Secondly, according to the pollsters, many Americans support his “populist” position on protective trade and security policies aimed at strengthening the American economy and provide support for foreign countries that secure American interests abroad. This is no doubt a rejection of the internationalist foreign policy pursued by all American presidents since the end of World War II.
However, despite the weakness of Mrs Clinton, Donald Trump, the outsider, comes to the campaign with a lot of baggage, which will most likely lead to his short lived popularity. For example, despite his claim as an outsider (the effect of which seems to be waning) Trump has refused to provide details regarding his political and economic plans for the US, should he be elected to office. He has refused to release his tax records. He is considered xenophobic and narcissistic. He is viewed as anti-immigrant and as a person who is clueless about foreign policy. As a result, many Republicans did not support his candidacy, others will not vote for him, and some have defected from the Republican Party. Some Americans are wondering if Trump would even be willing to participate in a presidential debate with his opponent. Happy Emancipation Day to all African Guyanese!
