This Is How I Feel Now: The American Presidential Campaign

Well, in case you were interested in another point of view of a left leaning West Coast oldster, here is this. And if not, don't read this. Anyway, I'm curious as to how I'll feel six months from now. Six years from now.

Republicans and Democrats. In America, we only have room for two parties apparently.  It's rare that both sides are so far apart; this is obviously a country divided or at least a political system divided.  Usually both are two sides close to the middle or leaning to the conservative (right).  Maybe 1972 Nixon-McGovern was there such a disparity. This Republican party has been run over by conservative ideologists by conceding to the zealots (choosing Sarah Palin as a VP candidate, then Paul Ryan 4 years later, legitimizing these radical parts of the party, although Ryan is now perceived by them as being too moderate. It's odd that of the five Republican candidates two are complete outsiders; businessman/opportunist/media star and knife wielding brain surgeon.

Trump: Crazy, right? But he's not really part of their party so they don't like him. Often right wing in his words (ugly American essentially) he is also a deal maker; doing what's best for him and his interests. So he's not particularly ideologically driven and in some cases, potential malleable to popular opinion. Essentially a comic on stage, his state of the union and convention speech would be 1. frightening 2. interesting 3.potentially hilarious; Trump doesn't inspire, or uplift-  he insults.  Would he really insult all the other world leaders? Yes, he could.  Appeals to a conservative, white America that continually is afraid of trade issues, and losing jobs to other countries; exporting of jobs, migrants taking jobs (that no one in America actually wants), people afraid of Muslims/Arab Americans/African Americans/Chicano-Latino Americans.

I want Donald Trump to win the Republican nomination for 1. he does not play by his own party's rules (threatens to go Independent if he doesn't get the nomination), has given money to Democratic candidates in the past (served his interests), blatantly proclaimed Bush's invasion of Iraq was a deception of the American public, and 2. we benefit from having this ugliness apparent, not hidden (show us the truth). In 1991 in Louisiana the Republicans chose as their primary candidate for Governor David Duke who was a White Supremacist and former head of the KKK.  A paper I wrote in college caused a stir in this class as I proposed that if Duke should win. As I recall it was the only time in college that people were yelling at me but Professor Levine was intrigued with how I approached life, and encouraged me.   Let's have the ugly part of who we are for all to see and all to deal with. We could then never forget or bury this part of our recent history. If he lost, everyone could pretend this never really happened- was just a blip of time.  He got this far for a reason, with a lot of support, a lot of hate.  Duke lost, received 39% of the vote and nearly 700,000 votes. People (mostly) forgot.  Don't get me wrong; I will do everything I can not to have our country choose any of these three. Oliver already says we'll move to Winnipeg.

John Oliver's take on Trump. It's very good: John Oliver on Donald Trump (click on the video link)

Ted Cruz, Canadian born. Please take him back.  Strongly ideologically driven and to me, scariest.  Not amendable to social change but would re-establish conservatism in this country not experienced in decades.  Fortunately his history has not created many alliances and many of his own party dislike him.  Sarah Palin who has worked with him in the past (they are ideologically connected but she too is an opportunist like Trump), chose to ally herself with Trump for she either believes him the stronger candidate or that he might provide her with employment.

Marco Rubio.  Although perceived as young and deer-in-the-headlights (in a recent debate when pressured he panicked and repeated one campaign point three consecutive times even when accused that this is exactly what he would do), he is potentially the biggest threat to Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Why? He's young, charming, Chicano-Latino by way of Cuba.  Superficially if one doesn't look at his policy or lack of policy, his anti-immigrant positions, he could peel off these votes from the Democratic candidate.  Also as the candidate the Republican party now strongly prefers (with Bush out, party leaders are rallying behind Rubio) he would have the fully party machine, plus the support of the voters that would support Trump and Cruz.

Rubio by Paul Krugman
ferrera/why-hillary-clinton-thrills-the-hell-out-of-me
is-hillary-clinton-dishonest

I'd like to believe that Americans look deeper but I'm not so sure. There is time for his spin handlers to improve his give and take in debates, and he's already knocked out Jeb Bush with one dismissive example.  He also is likely to be paired up with South Carolina's up and coming female Governor which would make an attractive ticket.

The conflict between choosing Hillary and Bernie. Complicated also by Hillary's embracing of Kenny G as Jazz with Bernie's thorough appreciation of this now neglected American art form, noting Duke Ellington especially, it's been an internal struggle to decide.  Having volunteered on two campaigns of the anti-establishment, Jesse Jackson- following my heart, I have some understanding of Bernie's solid appeal.  While at the end of the day, I support Clinton as the most electable, I appreciate Sanders pushing the envelope, making Clinton embrace and discuss liberal ideas. There's a place that must be made for Sanders in domestic policy in a Clinton cabinet.  I am fearful that in choosing between Sanders vs.Trump/Cruz/Rubio that the American public would opt for someone showier (think how California chose Schwarzenegger. Twice.)  or younger, or thinking Cruz/Rubio are different (only their skin is, their hearts=policy are not).  Additionally when Bill Clinton won, after 12 years of Republican "rule", as I recall, with the Democrats controlling both houses of Congress and the Presidency, he chose Hillary to run out their major change to the American health care system, with a plan similar to the Single Payer system (Bernie's). Following this would be changes to policy of civil and social rights (promises to the Gay community).  However the Clinton initiative was killed by our Congress, and all the political capital they had was halted/spent. Following of course would be his various personal complications which would further sidetrack possible progress.  

Nearly 20 years later, President Obama has changed America's health care, broadening coverage for more Americans and providing for health insurers not to exclude citizens with pre-existing conditions of need. Health care reform barely passed and is continually being challenged by the Right. The changes have not been as major as a Single Payer system, and these changes have threatened to be repealed immediately by Cruz/Rubio if elected to the White House.  I feel that Sanders would have momentum going into his Presidency but lose much of it battling for Single Payer which will not pass, due to the Republican (and in some cases Democratic) obstructionists.  Additionally that Bernie is a self proclaimed socialist is wonderful but in a general election, middle America would be fearful, and this would be used against him. The Republicans would interchanging socialism with communism and "weak on terror". Despite this 20 million Americans would still happily choose a candidate who favors Socialism but that's not enough votes (my 20 million is random). 

Hillary also has built relations with domestic and international leaders of many parties, serving as Senator, and Secretary of State. Although I never considered this aspect when I supported Jackson, this is important. Years are spent building trust, and working relationships, how to negotiate and navigate with different individuals; understanding their needs and stroking their egos or knowing how to shut them down.  I am in the camp of Clinton but appreciating Bernie Sanders driving issues of the environment, big money rule of America, health care, and appropriate Jazz messengers. He needs to be a big part of the next administration and if he isn't, it will be a troubling sign. However I am not confident that the American people would choose the most ideal candidate for all of America.  Hillary is strong. tested, composed and while she sometimes has a problem winning the nomination of her own party, she can kick Republican ass.  This is needed now.