A Rock, a Hard Place, and the (Possible) Future
The 2016 political season has been one of incredible irregularity and onerous originality. Whereas in recent years presidential primaries, and the elections that follow them, have provided sufficient fodder for the media to profit from, the 2015-2016 political season has been particularly lucrative to pundits and journalists alike.
To no one’s surprise, the main thrust of the media sensation has come from the real-estate mogul turned Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump. Although riding on an unprecedented wave of popularity in the primaries, Trump has been met with more than moderate opposition by Americans from all walks of life.
Perhaps the most telling sign of Trump’s odd opposition has been that even by these early days of September—only two months before the election that will either catapult him into public office or will shame him into public disgrace—he has still not found a way to reconcile himself to many ideological conservatives and the intelligentsia of the Right.
Much of this has been brought on by the highly-publicized nature of his campaign. From criticizing whether Senator John McCain, Vietnam POW, was really “worthy” of veteran status, to making fun of a disabled man, even so far as telling rally-goers to assault protesters and then telling them that he would pay their fines, Trump has never failed to shock.
As one commentator put it, it appears is if he has made shamelessness a virtue.
In his relatively short time as a political figure, many feel that he has been around far too long and overstayed his welcome in matters of the state.
In most presidential elections, being pitted against such odds would usually make the road to the White House a cakewalk. However, it must be noted, once again, that this is 2016, and the pits and surprises seem to be endless, especially if your name is Hillary Rodham Clinton.
A Yale Law School graduate, former first lady to President Bill Clinton, former New York senator, as well as President Barack Obama’s former Secretary of State, Clinton, on paper, looks like the perfect candidate to easily win against such odds.
This particular election cycle has been quite daunting on the Illinois-born politician. From questions about private speeches she made to Wall Street bankers, to her notorious email scandal, to questions about whether or not she is healthy enough to manage the presidency, Clinton has begun to be regarded as an equally unsavory figure in her own right.
The election season of 2016 has been a bumpy one to say the least, yet, it is notably unfinished. From scandal and outcry far exceeding what has been usual for a simple primary season, or presidential election for that matter, the eccentricity of 2016 still has another two months before its political tenure is over.
Much can be said as to where events will lead, and there has certainly been no lack of prophecy in the last year. However, two things are almost certain: matters will probably get worse before they get better and the media circus will continue to report on the irregular elective psychosis that the political realm is going through.