From nomination to election - A series of articles leading to the election of a new President of the United States of America.
The year 2016 will be a remarkable one in the history of presidential elections. An unlikely candidate (at least as far as presidential standards are concerned) and the first female candidate will be gracing TV networks for a few months until the scheduled election of Tuesday 8 November. Donald Trump (Republican Party) and Hillary Clinton (Democratic Party) have both beaten some odds in their nomination process. As the former first lady coined it, she cracked a barrier that had, up to now, kept any female from clinching the nomination. Previously, two other women had made it to the ticket as vice-presidential nominees; Walter Mondale (Democrat) picked Geraldine Ferraro (1984) and John McCain (Republican) picked Sarah Palin (2008). Both were unsuccessful.
For the 58th time, American citizens eligible to vote will be called to elect their commander-in-chief. Each election carried specific issues of historical significance, with candidates trading blows to win the prestigious office. Media has made it easier for the electorate to observe and participate in the campaign of each election. Through social networking we have an opportunity to follow the latest tweet or Facebook post of the candidates. That candidates can communicate with such ease is a recent phenomenon, but right from the beginning (bar the election of George Washington) the sparring was no less zealous, confrontational and personal.
The early history of the presidency was not alien to insinuation and slander. In 1824, John Quincy Adams, aided by Henry Clay (his future Secretary of State) conducted a mudslinging campaign against Andrew Jackson, attacking his wife in the process. Jackson would become President in 1828 and a widower before taking the oath of office, never forgiving his adversaries as a result. Fast forward a century and a half (1988) and you had the campaign team of Vice President George H.W. Bush (led by Lee Atwater) playing dirty on Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis. What we expect from the election of 2016 is a no-holds-barred campaign with candidates playing the personal, private and political cards. Either card will be fair game, as long as it scores points.
Donald Trump v Hillary Clinton is no normal political contest. Trump, a self-made billionaire (with a generous kick start of a million dollars from his father) will be contesting against Clinton, no ordinary candidate, having served on the legal team to impeach President Nixon in 1974, wife of Attorney General, Governor of Arkansas, and 40th President of the United States, Bill Clinton. Hillary also served as Senator of New York for eight years, and Secretary of State during the first Obama Administration (2008-2012). The latter's CV is formidable for a presidential candidate, yet she has had her fair share of scandals from Whitewater (70s and 80s) to the Benghazi (2012) debacle. Each time Hillary was wounded, yet she fought back and came back in full force. The Senate hearings (2015) on the Benghazi raid showed a Clinton who shines when cornered, facing and answering each question with grace and tranquillity. What had to spell her political obituary, launched her more strongly to the presidency.
Donald Trump is a different kettle of fish. A real estate mogul, he is more accustomed to brash behaviour that is not new either. Trump opened feuds against anyone who stood in his way. His list of frictions is substantial. Over the years, New York Mayor Ed Koch, Connecticut Governor Lowell Weicker, TV celebrity Martha Stewart, Fox host Megyn Kelly are only a few who ended in his line of fire. Not to mention all the Republican candidates who shared the stage with him during the debates before the Primary Season. Attacks would only cease once the candidates endorsed his candidacy. What was once the party of Lincoln is now the party of Donald Trump.
With Trump, we may expect more form than substance. Unless scripted, Trump ends up swiping and extrapolating against peoples ("Mexicans are rapists") or religions ("Muslims should be barred from entering the United States"). It is expected however, that as the election gets closer, Trump's aides will work to make him look more presidential.
While Trump and the Clinton family were one time friends, they will now be duelling in the political ring. If the match is to be won on points, Clinton would be a clear favourite. But some knock-out blows will be expected, as her political career is longer and therefore more exposed to criticism. This is where Trump is expected to capitalize.
Both candidates will sweat it out till the last minute, hoping that on 8th November, they manage to break the ultimate glass ceiling.
Some interesting firsts
Victoria Woodhull was the first female to run for President in 1872.
George Washington was the first President to own slaves.
John Adams was the first President to live at the White House (1801-1809).
Abraham Lincoln was the first (and, and to date, only) President to hold a patent (no 6469).
Grover Cleveland is the first President who has been filmed (1897).
Theodore Roosevelt was the first President to win the Nobel Prize (1906).
Woodrow Wilson was the first President to hold a PhD (Political Science).
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first (and only) President to be elected to three terms.
John F. Kennedy was the first (and, and to date, only) Catholic President.
Richard M. Nixon was the first (and, and to date, only) President to have resigned (1974).
Barack H. Obama is the first African-American President.