Salahuddin Haider
IT seems like a ding-
dong battle. Predic
tions, assessments, gallop polls, reports in New York Times, Washington Post, are still at variance with each other, indicating that the race for White House coming November could well be anyone’s game. American media is yet to form a firm assessment as to who will win, Joe Biden or Donald Trump.
Perhaps the story of 2016 when Trump suddenly outmanouvred Hillary Clinton to be in coveted office, may well be repeated this time. But Biden, twice vice president of his country, may spring surprise as well. His decision to pick Kamala Harris, US-born Indian lady, in Congress before, has generally been welcomed, and could prove an asset for Biden.
Trump last week won the nomination for the second term, but his behavior and way of working keeps supporters guessing as to outcome of the results. He delivered his convention speech, drawing a mixed reaction from party supporters and independent analysts. But that is how Trump behaves in public. He still is opposed to face masks for pandemics, which drew both criticism and applause, and that adds to the confusion as to which way the wind will blow.
An influential newspaper congratulated the Democratic Party on choosing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as their official nominees for the president and vice-president position. Together they form a powerful front of the Democrats for the upcoming presidential elections, says the daily, adding that Joe Biden is a seasoned Democrat with years of experience in the United States Senate, former vice-president, and a close confidant of the former US president Barack Obama. Kamala Harris is a powerful, confident woman who has been fighting for working-class families.
Born in an immigrant family, she became the first black woman to be elected as San Francisco’s District Attorney. After getting elected as Senator in 2016, she has worked to protect Obamacare, increase the minimum wage to $15, and defend the legal rights of refugees and immigrants.
The US presidential elections are mostly decided on the issues of economy and foreign affairs. This time we have a new and crucial topic, and that is Covid-19. This does not mean that issues like immigration, equal pay, gun control, health benefits, and racism will be ignored. But these three issues will take centre stage.
Donald Trumps’ exceptionally lengthy acceptance speech to conclude the fourth day of the Republican convention, was not well received. One of the former politician Rachel Madow thought that the President portrayed himself as a challenger than an incumbent. His own family members were taken aback by Trump’s speech, fearing Trump’s election can bring bad name to US democratic tradition.
Will it be replay then of the 2000-elections between George Bush and Al-Gore which saw a lengthy legal battle, forcing Al-Gore to withdraw finally saying he did not wish to see US democratic traditions look ugly.
