Trump won because of democratic party’s failure to project an alternate vision
By P. Sudhir
Belying predictions of pollsters that the US Presidential race is ending in a dead heat, Donald Trump has won a decisive victory, getting 312 of the 538 Electoral College votes and outstripping Kamala Harris in the popular vote by polling 51 per cent. Despite the liberal media’s favourable projection of the Kamala Harris campaign, it was clear to independent observers that Trump was gaining ground, particularly in the last one month, and his inflammatory rhetoric on immigration and rising crime and populist rants against the “elites” were evoking a good response among different sections of the voters. Popular discontent against the Biden administration for the rising cost of living and price rise also helped Trump.
By contrast, Kamala Harris’s speeches on the campaign trail were vacuous and did not offer any alternative vision or policies except for harping on democracy and the threat posed by another Trump presidency. A more vigorous campaign for the rights of the working class and against corporate loot and price gouging and the Wall Street elite would have rallied support for the Democratic ticket. But the Democratic establishment and its inner coterie who have links with Wall Street financiers and tech millionaires saw to it that the Harris campaign stuck to democracy in danger and a bundle of unconnected policy initiatives and promises.
The only substantive issue was reproductive rights of women and the right to abortion which alone was not sufficient to gather more comprehensive support. The results also show that the gender issue was prominent. Apart from white men, who have overwhelmingly been in support of Trump in the past, this time, a section of black and Latino men have also not supported Kamala Harris, laying bare the misogyny that runs deep in society.
The Democratic Party is seen as representing the interest of professionals, higher paid college graduates and corporates. It is this perception which had turned off the working class who were the traditional supporters of the Democratic Party, particularly in mid-west states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio. Paradoxically, the working class supported the billionaire candidate who will be adopting blatantly pro-business, pro-corporate policies, including tax cuts for the rich. Trump will also make complete reversal of environmental protection laws and promote the oil and fracking industry.
It is ironical that one of the reasons for Harris losing in swing states like Michigan was a loss of the Arab-American vote, who were outraged by the Biden-Harris administration’s complicity in the Gaza carnage. Many young people were also put off Kamala Harris’s candidature because of this.
Trump’s victory should be seen in the context of the advance of far-right parties in Europe and other countries. Immigration and fear of the outsider is a major feature of this phenomenon. With the Republicans capturing the Senate majority, Congress is now with Republicans, paving the way for Trump to push through a whole range of rightwing and reactionary measures.
For the world outside, there has not been much to choose between Democratic and Republican presidents. Both parties are imperialist war-mongers. Whether it was Clinton or Bush, the people of Iraq and West Asia were targets for the American war machine. Just as Trump, Biden pursued a policy of blind support to Israel. The genocidal war on Gaza has been financed and equipped by the Biden administration. Whether exercising American hegemony through military interventions or use of sanctions, there is nothing much to choose between Democrats and Republicans.
The second Trump presidency is bad news for the Palestinians as Trump is a staunch supporter of Israel and will strongly back Netanyahu. Relations with China can become fraught as Trump may ratchet up more tariffs and sanctions in trade relations. Relations with European allies and NATO will enter an uncertain phase given Trump’s America First vision. Whether President Trump will stick to unconditional support for Ukraine’s war with Russia remains to be seen. All in all, there is going to be a period of great uncertainty in international relations.
In India, Narendra Modi should be pleased at the outcome of the US election as Donald Trump is a friend with ideological affinity. One can expect more momentum for strategic ties despite irritants like higher tariffs on Indian goods exported and tightening of H-1B visas. (IPA Service)