Washington: As the news of Donald Trump’s election to the presidency sinks in, Americans are reacting and planning.
Many Republicans are thrilled, with Trump’s supporters feeling like they finally will have someone in Washington who shares their views. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” Trump said in his victory speech.
Many Republicans voted for Trump reluctantly. “I was going to [write in John Kasich], until I got in the ballot box. I voted for ideology today. Not the man. It was the hardest vote I have ever cast in my life. But I bleed Republican and I could [not] let my ‘no’ vote or write in go for Hillary,” said a woman in Virginia who voted for Trump. Some of these Republicans are excited about the prospect of a conservative majority on the Supreme Court but are concerned about the long-term prospects for the Republican party, as Trump seems to have little interest in traditional conservative principles and broke with party leaders’ plans to expand its demographic appeal.
The Republican party is now inextricably linked with Trump. Republicans will control all the branches of US government but will have to deal with the internal divides that emerged in this election. Many Trump supporters are angry at the Republican establishment in Washington and will expect the Trump brand of politics to now take precedence. There is already speculation over whether Paul Ryan will be able to maintain his leadership in the House of Representatives. The concerns that some Republicans had with Trump are likely to fade into the background, with Trump gaining most of the credit for the Republican victory.
Voters for Hillary Clinton are in mourning. Before the results came in, many Democrats were feeling confident. Many took their children, especially daughters, with them to the polls, viewing the election as historic and a chance to elect the first US woman president. “The idea that I can use my voice to support a woman doing a historic thing is awesome,” said a voter in North Carolina with her young daughter on election day. “What a day! This is my fifth US election as a naturalised US citizen, since immigrating to America with my mom as a political refugee. I couldn’t be more elated to share this with my little girl by my side,” said a voter in California.
In the few days after the loss, Clinton voters are reacting in various ways. Many are deeply afraid. Some call for healing and reaching out to both minorities and people who disagree politically. Many are calling for pragmatic action at local and national levels, determined to stand up for their beliefs, protect minorities, and try to defend against what many think will be attempts to dismantle democracy. While Clinton clearly conceded to Trump, she also encouraged supporters to “do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear.”
Another bitter pill for Democrats to swallow is that, for the second time in recent history, their presidential candidate won the popular vote but lost the electoral college. After the 2000 Al Gore electoral college loss, many Democrats were upset but quickly moved on; that might be more difficult this time.
Trump’s win was based on his appeal to many Americans who felt left behind by social and economic change, but the election results will leave half or more of the population feeling alienated. Much will depend on whether Trump and Republicans try to broaden their coalition. “I will be President for all of Americans,” Trump said in his victory speech, but many Americans will not believe that without clear actions to demonstrate that he wants to represent more than just his core supporters.
— The writer is a journalist based in Washington
