The primaries have almost run their course. The nominees are almost set: It'll be Cankles versus Trump.
Let the underwhelming begin.
Vague and Brash v. Duplicitous and Deceptive.
I can't remember a time when the American electorate had it so good. Then again, it's done it to itself. Rather than separate the political wheat from the chaff, it's decided to eschew reason and good sense and nominate two people who are eminently unqualified, for different reasons, to be president of the United States.
With an eye to the inevitable mud-slinging, let's examine some of the more salient issues that may become particularly interesting in the run-up to Election Day in November:
-- Can the Donald learn to shut his gob? Trump loves to hear himself prattle on. His adoring minions clap rapturously whenever he takes on Ted Cruz, the media, Rosie O'Donnell, Megyn Kelly Mexicans, NBC or whatever or whoever else offends him that day. That's fine when one is discussing a partisan election, but now he has to persuade he's the better candidate. I don't think Trump is stupid -- he went to Wharton and built an empire, after all -- but he's rash more often than not. In short, can Trump approach appearing presidential? If he continues to behave like a superannuated frat boy, he may turn off sizeable segments of the undecided he hopes to win over.
-- Women: This is more complicated than it appears at first blush. It's not only whether Trump can ratchet down his offensive comments about women, abortion, etc. It's about whether Cankles takes the female vote for granted and acts as if it's a given. If Cankles keeps trotting out the worn line about equality for women without addressing other meaty issues, it will appear as if the only issue about which women care is income equality and other gender-specific matters. Women are equally concerned about other issues such as the economy and security, too. Too much pandering may offend women just as much as Trump's chauvinist rhetoric may.
-- Unforeseen Events: Let's just make it easy and refer to this as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse -- War, Famine, Pestilence and Death. Let's say Slick Willy dies in the middle of the campaign. What happens to Cankles's candidacy? Iran? What if war breaks out in Ukraine? What if there's an economic collapse in India? Unforeseen events, like injuries in sports competitions, can upset the balance and change the direction of the campaign. This is a real wild card.
-- The Media: It's almost a foregone conclusion that the media adores Cankles. Much as they did with President Obama, will it overlook her myriad scandals and shortcomings and nitpick Trump like a pack of wolves going after a wounded bison? Will there be any attempt at unbiased and impartial reporting? Will reporting be fair and balanced, or will the status quo continue as the new norm? What's more, will Trump use that to his advantage? Will the media wake up to the fact that most Americans distrust the media?
-- Legal issues: Trump is facing a lawsuit about his Trump University. On the scale of social consciousness, I don't think that resonates much. Sure, people aren't happy with him and his school, but that imperils no one. Cankles, on the other hand, is facing issues related to her home-brew server, which apparently has been hacked already. The security of the nation was put at great risk -- perhaps even more than we can understand at this early date -- and if the FBI pursues an indictment it will be interesting to see how the electorate views that.
-- President Obama: Which brings us to a real wild card, wilder even than Unforeseen Events. It's almost a fantasy of mine, actually. Allegedly, the Obamas and the Clintons don't really get along. It was a marriage of convenience at best. Imagine, just for a second, that Loretta Lynch comes to Mr. Obama and tells him that the FBI investigation supports a cause of action against Cankles for putting the country in jeopardy with her home-brew server. In what would be one of the finest paybacks of all time, imagine if President Obama, contrary to what most would expect him to do, unleashes Ms. Lynch and tells her to do what she is sworn to do: Uphold the laws and the Constitution of the United States. I'm positively drooling at the thought...
-- Court decisions: Most people are unaware of matters of great significance presently pending before Courts of Appeal or the Supreme Court. Depending on those decisions and their impact on the average American, it could sway voters one way or another.
-- Oil prices: Already there's been talk of oil prices being manipulated by Saudi Arabia to destroy the American oil industry. Don't think that Saudi Arabia wouldn't do it to influence the American election.
-- Terrorism: This could fall under Unforeseen Events, but as a concept, sadly, this is a constant. What if ISIS assassinates President Obama? Does that give Cankles the sympathy vote? What if it angers Europe enough that finally it sheds its cowardice and declares war, but President Obama demurs? Does that sway public opinion to Trump?
-- The Debates: Another wild card. Will the Democrats and their lackies control the debates as they did last time around and as they did during the Democratic primaries? Will the moderators be equitable or will they be partisan? Will Cankles and Trump say something so outrageous as to sink their chances?
-- Running Mates: It will be interesting to see how the candidates approach this issue. Does Cankles slavishly choose a woman or a minority? Can Trump surround himself with quality advisors?
Of course, there are so many more issues that can crop up. But these are a few of the external forces that could affect the general election.
Whatever happens, this promises to be one of the most freewheeling elections we've ever experienced.
(c) The Truxton Spangler Chronicles
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