With two days to go and amidst all the controversies surrounding Hillary Clinton’s emails and Donald Trump’s Russian ties, both the Republicans and the Democrats are working tirelessly to influence the last voter. While the latest polls show a very narrow margin between Clinton and Trump, the former Secretary of State still has the advantage of being closer to the 270-mark in the electoral college than Trump.
The Sunday Guardian caught up with a lot of people on the streets of Washington, DC, including Helen, who said, “Donald Trump’s statements are scary. What’s scarier is that half of America believes in what he says. Hillary Clinton might not be the best option, but having served in the government, she is saner. I seek stability.” Anand Desai, a Donald Trump supporter, on the other hand, questioned the current dispensation’s healthcare programme.
There is an anti-incumbency factor that Clinton would have to deal with but the record early voter turnout show leanings toward the Democrats. Demography is also a very important aspect, wherein cities such as Washington, DC with educated people with college degrees and a majority of highly educated women will be going the Democrat way. The Republicans on the other hand, will require almost all the swing states to vote for them. While that seems unreal, the element of surprise in this election is way too high to ignore the trends.
Voters from the Indian community whom The Sunday Guardian met discussed Trump’s comments on immigration made through the initial part of the campaign. Erik Kumar, a senior advocate at the King’s County District Attorney’s Office, said, “Mr Trump is like Arvind Kejriwal. He will take the country to the dumps like Kejriwal has done to Delhi. He will do nothing constructive. We will descend into chaos.”
Irrespective of which way Americans are going to vote, there is a massive campaign and push to ensure that people come out and vote. Even President Obama has been campaigning vehemently, urging voters to step out on 8 November.
This newspaper also spoke to a few school kids who were picking up election paraphernalia such as T-shirts. They aren’t voters this year, but were politically aware. Nina Wiggins, who is in high school, said, “Both have to learn to be civil. They should have discussed what they would be doing for us rather than showing the other one down.” Carson, another teenager, said, “Very disappointed in the fact that they have shown no vision. Although, Hillary has been a little better than Trump in defining her policies.” But the most telling was Noah, who said, “I am glad that I’m not a voter this time. I would have voted neither.”