POLITICS
2016 Presidential Race Puzzle Pundits By: George C. Onuorah
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his presidential race not only puzzles but confound pundits in more ways than one for obvious reasons. Primarily, the cast of characters run a whole gamut and covers the broad spectrum of occupation from a neurosurgeon to billionaire real-estate developer both conservative and political outsider. For one thing, the race is not only shaping up as one with divergent personalities and billionaires declared and undeclared. However, the most troubling phenomenon is how many pundits and political prognosticators and anxious media are still unsure which the race is tilting. Certainly, the cast of characters in this election circle as divergent in their ideology and style of is one reason many have difficulty sizing up this race. On the Republican end, you have billionaire real-estate mogul Donald Trump, a well accomplished businessman with very big ego and propensity to say what he feels without mincing word or equivocation. An outsider who is not exactly a political novice although never held any elective office but understands how the game is played and arguably the best deal-maker you can find anywhere. In his new metamorphosis as a politician his slogan captures the core essence of his ideological belief. Mr. Trump wants to “Make America Great Again”. Looking at his blue print one is reminded about late President Ronald Reagan “The Gipper” who many on both sides of the political aisle acknowledge as one of the best president America has had since existence. Others who are contesting along with Mr. Trump as outsiders include Neuro-surgeon Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina former Hewlett-Packard CEO. Not to be outdone, you have those who represent the establishment such as former Florida Governor Jeb Bush from the Bush dynasty. Unfortunately, his poll numbers are disappointingly surprising especially considering he raised the most money and had better name recognition. In the establishment ranks you have a race brewing with his other peers senator Marco Rubio who he mentored and currently represents Florida in the United States senate. How about the Governor of Ohio, John Kasich who many believe will still be short-listed for VP. Especially considering his very unique situation coming from Ohio. In the history of American presidential election, no Republican candidate has ever won the presidency without capturing Ohio making Gov. Kasich position very enviable.
This is what we know now. We have two competing political parties the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Both parties have their core believes, ideologies and orientations. Based on that, there candidates as currently listed include in the Democratic Party Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and 2 more. Speculations is that Vice President Joe Biden may still jump in to save the day in the event of implosion of the candidacy of Hilary Clinton. You guys are mainly dreaming or smoking something. If anyone knows how to play hardball or real politics the Clinton’s are the one. They will fight tooth and nail to clear their name or names from any trumped up charges or accusations from Benghazi to Emailgate. Approximately Ms. Clinton’s current trouble concerning using personal email server to conduct official business some would admit may not rise to high crimes and misdemeanor much less Watergate scandal as some have inferred. Troubling issue and concern nonetheless. Conversely, the Republicans have an army of candidates shoving and pushing each another to get to the top. By our count, over a dozen viable candidates are fighting for the Republican nomination. Who becomes their candidate or emerges as their standard-bearer must have been blooded, maligned and wearing the scares of that battle. It will not be easy for the candidate when all is said and done. For the purpose of this piece, I will only list the main Republican Party contenders in my opinion. Out of the Republican field of seventeen candidates, the following in my view have the political gravitas, personality, support and what it takes to cross the finish line. They are Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Donald Trump has money and can invest his own money and machinery to execute a good campaign and we have seen and are seeing how he has been able to plot his way to the frontrunner status which some political people have said will soon fizzle and another candidate charges and surges to the front of the pack. By next week or so will prove this postulation or conjecture right. Just yesterday, according major news outlets, Trump is tied in Iowa poll with Former neurosurgeon Ben Carson himself an outsider and non-politician. Others in the race include Sen. Marco Rubio from a very important state of Florida that a candidate must win to
“Make America Great Again.”
48 w w w . o u r w o r l d m e d i a m a g a z i n e . c o m
Winter 2016