Election Fever II

Who wins the race?

Hillary or Trump?

-Dwarika Pd. Shrestha ¹

November 8^th is at your door step. Not even one and half month to go by now. Candidates are busy making their campaigning more effective to attract more voters and gain more and more votes for the candidate of their favor.

Topic in discussion here is that of 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, a very important issue in the world politics. It is a time when North Korea, People's Republic of China and Russia are demonstrating their powerful conventional and nuclear weapons and India, one of the Asian giants who imposed all sorts of political, traditional, cultural and geographical problems to its northern neighbor – Nepal. America's role in those regards related to international concern was very much important. The newly elected President's decision plays vital role whether the new weapons were to be applied in special and to look after international cases and many others like that in general.

While talking about presidential election, 2016, the concern on election of Hillary or Trump claim the priority in the list. For the country like Nepal both of the candidates are good friends and well-wishers. Therefore, Nepal always wants that a good candidate be elected for the betterment of the people and the country. I had already jolted down an article a few weeks earlier about it under the headline “Election Fever 2016”. (See also the blog: www.dipeesh.blogspot.com)

Winning the race:

Both, the nominees are now on the track in a 'Get-set' position to take part in the race.

Madam Hillary Rodham Clinton was marching ahead all the way through different trials and challenges created by her opponent Donald J. Trump, that starts from 33,000 emails ragging in her political career undertaken as a member of the Democratic party and the Secretary of the State during Barack Obama's presidential period and fund raising for her party and at present for her election. She was found going ahead smoothly and dramatically to win votes though. She had a pause in her program in between for a few more weeks due to pneumonia. Thus the time of her absence in the field became a good time for Trump to make his campaign more forceful and effective among the voters. Trump conducted press conferences and faced the media persons more frequently and delivered speeches to many gatherings of more voters. He raised issue on health concern of his opponent Hillary on the occasion. He also talked about fund raising of Hillary in her election campaign. Trump pleaded to make the security strong and effective during polling day. He asked concerning Govt. unit to stop Hillary's fund raising activities.

Hillary appeared in the field after Hillary Clinton and Senator Tim Kaine released their medical information as referred by Dr. Lisa Bardack and Dr. Brian P. Monaham the medical officers of President and Vice-president nominees of Democrat respectively. Like Hillary, Trump also raised fund on the occasion. Trump reportedly raised more than 70 million dollars. His fund raising unit was kept on busy to do their job though. Trump was billionaire businessman and also a politician. Trump also gave quarter million dollar as a charity to strengthen the security service on the polling period. But while asked, Trump denied to release his tax return.

Hillary was busy for meeting press and facing the mass of voters frequently but vice versa to Trump on the occasion. To a question asked about Hillary's fund raising activities, an issue raised earlier by Trump, he said, “Hillary raised fund in 2008. Finish” (?). “You (?) know, what I mean.” Trump said again.

Similarly, in a question on birther issue raised by Trump since last several years in relation with the birth place of President Obama, Trump replied, “Obama is born in America. Period” (?). “But in a statement hours later from the GOP nominee's spokesman, the campaign claimed Trump does indeed believe the president was born in Hawaii.” n p r political bulletin (Sept.15, 2016).

NPR handout further writes, “a senior communication adviser of Trump campaign, Jason Miller – claiming victory for Trump forcing Obama to release his long-form birth certificate and saying that, because of that evidence , Trump now “believes that President Obama was born in the United States.”

Voters were equally sensitive on the issues raised by the candidates in the election time. Concerning birth issue of President Obama, they have raised a question, “whether Trump asked for 'Apology”. Trump's claim and blame were found like dramatic one. Congressional Block said, “Trump was fraud.” Bufferfield said, trump was disgusting fraud”, CNN. 21^st/22^nd Sept., 2016.

Conclusion:

Trump had made several commitments in his previous delivery made to the National convention but his flip-floppiness in those concerns latter, made him relaxed from unwanted comments. The birther issue related with President Obama's birth and the issue of fund raising, that of Madam Hillary campaign were also almost silent and were made more relaxed to Mr. Trump by his latest comments like, “Obama was born in America. Period.” and “Hillary raised funds in 2008. Finish”. “you know what I mean.”

Politics is called a dirty game. Of course, politics was not a 'good game'. Similar politics is prevailed in Nepal too. They were never appreciated. The dirtier politics played in the U.S. recently, assured me that Nepal is little advanced in this aspect. Flip-floppiness in nature – natural or dramatic, does not lead to good result. As a best candidate nominee to the President, it will cause big damage to him and the country. Flip-floppiness in and out come serve poor quality. So, if one has to flipflop in his/her commitment, better would be that he/she should not make any commitment and 'blame' and 'claim' should not be pronounced. Flip-floppiness cannot make u-turn to any of the diverted voters. Voters' decision will be the last decision. Let's wait till 8^th November.

The end

1(a) Journalist: Worked for 2 yrs. (2020 – 2022 b.s.) for The Commoner, the pioneer English daily in Kathmandu, Nepal and for 20 yrs. (2022 – 2042 b.s. Or 2065-2085 A. D.) for The Rising Nepal, (pro bono publico), National English Daily, of Nepal. It's running now in its 51^st year. (b) Worked as Deputy Director of Studies for 15 yrs. (2042 b.s.-2057b.s.) in Nepal Administrative Staff College, Jawalakhel, Patan, Nepal.