Dear Editor,
Hail to the Chief! Congratulations to Donald Trump, as President Elect and our 45th Commander in Chief. The long and arduous campaign has finally ended, and while there is still after-thought on the events that shaped his election, the truth be known, the results are now carved in stone for 2016, and the dye is cast for the next two/and or four years. Analytically, questions must be put in perspective, in how so many could have been so wrong in their prognostications. Trump literally won on his own initiative, and determination. The RNC turned its back, on what was deemed a fantasy in the making, from someone who was going nowhere, and rejecting reality. Active members of the Congress refused to acknowledge his presence, and derided his attempts for competitive recognition. The broadcast and print industry brushed off his plans, as whimsical at best, portraying him as ego driven buffoon, who was looking to glorify himself. The primary debates, quickly established him as a frontrunner, among sixteen other seekers, ranging from sitting or retired politicians, along with a physician, and a CEO in the private sector. The more traction he gained with the populace, the more he was reviled. Even his primary victories in 42 states made little impression on his competitors. With friends like those in the GOP proper, Trump didn’t need any enemies from across the aisle. Democrats were in the catbird seat, choosing to sit back confidently, while their counterparts were on a road to self destruction within the ranks. Though there were a handful of allies from within the beltway, Trump scrambled for the nomination on his own. The three debates with Hillary were not landmark advantages, for either candidate. Answering salacious accusations from decades past seemed to occupy time that would have been better spent promoting programs and ideas in a new administration. Election Day was looked on as an exercise, to a Hillary landslide victory. Endless polls, by the hour cluttered the airways, with pollsters holding informal gatherings of potential voters, to express their preferences. When voting day finally arrived, exit polling attempted to gain more insight. It was over for Trump, and everyone was sitting back, in front of their TV to enjoy an early night of returns, and the laudatory speeches of victory and concession. From out of nowhere the night became historic as Trump swept through state by state. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Trump supporter, or his fiercest adversary, give credit where it is due. He made his election happen, and did it virtually on his own with only a handful of determined supporters, led by Giuliani, Conway, Gingrich, and of course his family. Face the facts on Hillary. There was simply too much baggage in her past, and too little vision spent on specific solutions to the matters which mean the most to Americans. Democrats were deprived of primary choices, and why didn’t Joe Biden run, and possibly win? Where was the depth of the party, for those who rejected Hillary? If she couldn’t beat Trump, who COULD she have defeated? Perhaps now, we will learn of why viable Democratic candidates were intimidated not to run. One thing seems to be assured. It’s finally over politically, for both the Clinton, and Bush families, and for that we can all give a sigh of welcome relief, for hopefully a brighter look to the future. Alluding to a past letter observation on Donald Trump, in THE FORUM I warned voters -“Don’t bet the house against him!
Robert Rice
Woodhaven
