The overly-enthusiastic among US President-elect Donald Trump’s following were criticised by Democrats and independents for their stated refusal to accept election results as authentic in the event they didn’t go their man’s way — and rightly so.
While shock and disappointment at one of the greatest electoral upsets in living history is understandable given a slew of polls in Clinton’s favour and steady streams of so-called experts asserting Trump would need a miracle, the will of the majority underpins America’s constitution and upholds the democratic values on which the US has flourished.
It is what it is. The protestors cannot claim the ballot was rigged. The old political guard, including some influential Republicans, as well as the corporate media worked hard to ensure a win for Hilary and ended up with egg on their faces. The marginalised and the disillusioned came out in force for change in the belief that a Clinton administration would deliver more of the same and, in that regard, they were probably right. It’s yet to be seen whether they’ve jumped from the frying pan into the fire.
Clinton must have been devastated by the result. On the night, she cancelled a planned firework display and postponed her concession speech until the following day, presumably to regain her composure. Fighting back tears, this true professional urged her supporters to accept the outcome and keep an open mind. She did not fire up the crowd with recriminations or play on their sympathies. Kudos to her for putting her country’s well-being before all!
Likewise the most prominent among her partners on the stump, President Barack Obama, overcame his own disappointment to welcome his successor to the White House with warmth while reassuring him that “we are all rooting” for your success, aware that Trump’s success will be America’s.
Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of Americans are stamping their feet like kids denied their sweeties, blocking roads and burning effigies of the president-elect in cities all over the country. But the reality is that however much noise and disruption they manage to create, it will not alter the fact that barring unforeseen circumstances come January, the White House residence is set to get a make-over.
The distraught, who feel cheated because their candidate won the popular vote, just as George W. Bush’s rival, Al Gore, did in 2000, would be better advised to campaign against the electoral college system (the apportionment of a fixed number of votes to individual states correspondent with the size of their respective congressional delegations) which Donald Trump has referred to “a disaster for democracy” in one of his earlier tweets. On this point, many Americans agree with him preferring a one-man, one-vote system that could not be accused of being angled to favour a certain demographic over others.
Violence and vandalism, if prolonged, will be counter-productive, enlarging rifts and ultimately halting economic progress. Whereas protest is a legitimate medium for people to share their angst and promote their message, smashing windows, vandalising buildings, looting stores and attacking passersby simply because they voted the other way are criminal acts.
No turning back
In any case, what do they hope to gain? Do they imagine that any arm of government has the authority to quash the results and start over? Even if such a thing was in the realm of possibility, the Trump crowd would be legitimately angered, democracy dealt a lethal blow. There is no turning back. The only way at this juncture is forward.
Trump’s detractors do have choices of their own. Those with the wherewithal to leave for the duration of the Trump presidency can do so. Notably Americans eager to relocate to Canada crashed the country’s immigration website. They can hold their nose and hope for the best, adopt a patient ‘wait and watch’ approach or line-up behind their new commander-in-chief in spite of his flaws because by doing so, their views are likely to be taken into account rather than written-off as hostile ramblings from an embittered opposition.
Let’s face it, as long as Republicans are the majority in the House and the Senate, the new president will hold most of the cards. Foreign leaders who once treated Trump’s candidacy as a bad joke are lining-up to congratulate him and expressing the wish to work with him.
Americans still gnashing their teeth would be wise to heed advice from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain”. Who knows! There may be a rainbow in store.
— Linda S. Heard is a specialist writer on Middle East affairs. She can be contacted at lheard@gulfnews.com
