A popular president is leaving office after an 8 year run. The chosen leader to carry on the legacy of the departing president is up against a brash Republican opponent. As an X factor, the Libertarian and Green Parties may draw votes from the Democratic party.
The polls are tightening, and it is anyone’s contest. To be fair to President George W Bush, he ran a clean and respectable race.
Will the youth go Green or Libertarian? Will Latinos come out? Will women, especially young women offset Trump’s massive advantage among white, male voters?
What looked like a run-away victory lap for the Democrats is now a toss-up.
For anyone in a battleground state, remember Florida 2000. That one state decided the winner.
The Florida vote tally:
George W Bush — 2,912,790 (48.85%)
Al Gore — 2,912,253 (48.84%)
.01% difference!
Who’s got the most to lose?
The 2016 election is serving as a proxy on America’s attitude towards immigrants, especially Latinos. Trump has struck a cord with his wall-building metaphor. He has found a large following who believe the economy and the fortunes of blue-collar workers will improve by deporting illegal immigrants and increasing investments in border control. In 16 years, Latinos have seen their political power increase every election cycle. Latinos will need to come out in force to prevent a Trump victory.
A Green or Libertarian vote is a Trump vote?
We get it. Bernie is a genuine human-being, in addition to being a politician. A rare bird indeed. A Libertarian or Green protest vote is fine for non-battleground states. In battleground states, a high Libertarian or Green vote count may pave the way to a Trump victory. Nadar was Gore’s kryptonite. Will the two 3rd party candidates play spoiler? For those who haven’t taken Trump seriously, its time to wake up. His chances to win are real. We have seen one global power vote along a nationalist, anti-immigration theme in 2016. Will America follow our former colonial rulers? Stake are high. Time to dust off the voter registration form and make your vote count.
