With the beginning of the 2016 Election being officially marked by the Iowa Caucus, the strong showings of the underdog candidates on both sides of the aisle lend themselves to the notion that the primary elections will be anything but a route.
The 2016 Republican bunch, consisting of Florida senator and ex-Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio, Texas senator and Tea Party veteran Ted Cruz, and polarizing businessman Donald Trump, un-pitch their tents and uproot their lawn signs from along the backstreets of the New Hampshire hinterlands to continue their journey towards the Republican Nomination.
Next stop: South Carolina.
The struggling campaigns of Jeb Bush and Chris Christie, who failed once again to persuade the conservative voters of a state to take heed under their respective political umbrellas, slowly lag along.
Perhaps the most surprising turn of events to unfold in the Granite State was the second place finish of Ohio Governor John Kasich. Kasich, who has previously been unsuccessful in finding traction with voters, garnered 15.8% of the popular vote awarding him four delegates. Six less delegates than the distant winner, Donald Trump. Trump’s emergence within the Republican Party, due in part by his aggressive yet charismatic approach and his “anti-politician” rhetoric, has been the overriding headline throughout this election cycle.
The rise of the ‘Trumpian’ Revolution may very well be the early signs of a sputtering age in conservative politics during an era when being deemed “establishment” is to be ostracized from the current political mainstream. With the reliantly conservative demographics in the United States dwindling, one’s dread of the future of the Republican Party would be warranted. As the campaigns of Rubio and Bush maintain their unrelentingly monotone message of don’t-rock-the-boat policies, the prevailing winds of Trump’s message, rooted in xenophobia and intolerance, have gained steam.
Before you ask yourself, “How exactly does someone whose sheer political platform is so explicitly rooted in racial and religious animosity hijack one of the country’s two prominent political parties?” be sure that you are willing to accept the answer.
America is scared.
According to an ABC News/ Washington Post poll, 6 in 10 Republicans agree with Trump’s Muslim Ban. The rise of Isis as a global threat has brought national security to the forefront of political prominence. Much like post-9/11 America, fear of the Islamic religion has spread throughout the country.
John Petito, Political Science professor at Bucks County Community College, attempts to dissect the consciousness of the American public.
He views Americans as a population of feared people who will follow, concluding that “simplistic solutions appeal to a population that is scared we are always in danger.” Today, Americans want to know what the candidate’s plans are for defeating Isis. Trump says he is going to take away their oil, while Cruz says he is going to attack first and ask questions later.
Petito explains his concern for the now popular stances within conservative foreign policy.
“Preemptive strikes were never our policy. I don’t think you become a loved nation of the world attacking other people.” Petito says.
While Trump takes advantage of rampant misinformation and factual inaccuracies about the cultures and religions of those branded as “other” in America, his poll numbers remain steady.
America is bored.
The American political psyche in 2016 is much different from your father’s, or perhaps your own if you’ve lived long enough. The incessant name-calling, arm-flailing, and gun-slinging is a product the reward system currently put in place by the American media. What the Donald has exemplified time and time again is that the nonsensical spewing of half-truths and “something-or-other” statements have landed him no-less than perpetual earned media air-time and thusly, more support. This explains why despite being towards the bottom of the barrel in campaign spending, he remains the Republican front-runner.
Where Trump has been able to find success is through invigorating the previously apathetic, angry, and disenfranchised voter- an abundant demographic.
By providing the public with easy, one-step, cure-all solutions with seemingly no downside, he has appealed to the lay-man. Of course, this particular lay-man is one who is predominately white, aged, and fearful that their way of life has been challenged by efforts of the Obama Administration.
It takes little effort to understand their discontent. Many trust his financial leadership, others support his strict immigration policy. Some simply praise his willingness to do or say what comes to his mind at any given moment. At long last, America has a champion who will bring us back to our roots and make us great once more!
“The American dream is dead, but I’m going to make it better and stronger.” Trump proudly chanted on CNN.
Many Americans are finding themselves sick and tired of business as usual when it comes to the way their country is run. This opens the door for a non-politician such as Donald Trump to flex his anti-political-correctness muscle. As Trump seamlessly continues his waltz toward the nomination, the heady political veterans like Rubio or Cruz fervently await their opportunity to dance. With the so much of the song left to sing- there is no knowing who will be left holding the crown.