Get Guardian on GoogleBy Abdu Rafiu
Given the well- known political education and political awareness of an average American and the truly independent posture of the electoral umpire, it did not require much discerning to know that any party to which Donald Trump may belong in these times would be worsted in any electoral contestation. The United States mid-term election was more of an appraisal of Mr. Trump’s presidency than it was for the party.
During the electioneering campaigns to return to the White House two years ago, his sing-song was that he was going to take back America and America would be great again. In his words after coasting home to victory: “This will forever be remembered as the day the American people regained control of their country.” At the time, most Americans had strayed away from professing any spiritual values. Turning their back largely against the worship of the Most High gave a great many a lot of concerns. They were worried that there were no longer devotional hours in schools nor were prayers being said at public events.
Here is a settler country founded by people who fled all manner of persecutions and tribulations in Europe. They headed for West that Columbus had discovered. They had their inner beings polished from their tribulations with the attendant longing for the ideal, for that which is high and noble.
Their gathering linked in reciprocity with helping rays from On High and their land attracted undreamt of blessings. Thus, it was regarded as God’s Own Country and it became its appellative reference.
Later the average American was getting to believe in the invincibility of man and his technological wonders. This meant that the thought of God was evidently being banished from the lives of their children as well. They saw it as an albatross round the neck of the country which they believed President Joe Bidden did nothing about and the Democrats abhor the emergence of gay and transgender issues. And those troubled saw in Trump a strong man to restore spiritual values to their lives.
Even from outside the United States there were concerns about the irreverent approach to matters of faith and any mention of the Name of the Creator. As if to satisfy the yearning of Americans, as soon as Trump was proclaimed winner in the election of November 2024, he and some of his followers and family, even in a packed Beach County Convention Centre, and amidst wild jubilation, found space for a few words of thanksgiving. On that occasion as well, red hats with the inscription “Make America Great Again” were distributed. Episcopal church, St. John’s, near White House, in Washington D.C. has for centuries been the church for all Presidents of the United States.
However, he had hardly mounted the exalted throne than he donned the egoistic uniform of a chief war monger. At first when it became clear that the Republicans had lost control of both chambers of Congress—the Senate and the House—he tried to dodge responsibility and avoid share in the blame for what some commentators have described as a political earthquake for Donald Trump and the Republican Party. It is seen as a significant setback to President Trump and the Republican Party, with Democrats making remarkable gains and taking control of both Houses.
At first, he waved off blame, saying he was not on the ballot. Later, in an interview with FOX News on Wednesday, he blamed the Iran War and rising gasoline prices triggered by the war for the trouncing of the Republicans. He said although Americans backed him taking action against Iran, they were unwilling to face the immediate economic consequences, especially the cost of living resulting from the rise in gasoline prices.
He said: “People agree with what I’m doing on Iran but they probably weren’t willing to do the short, bear the early consequences of paying more for gasoline.” As a comic relief to free himself the tension arising from what Cruz called “blue tsunami,” according to The Hill online newspaper, in his first public appearance, he led those gathered around him to show off the construction of the White House ballroom. “It is for the country, and it’s free,” he said. Vice-President Vance came out straight to admit that Iran war was “the main reason” why GOP witnessed the Democrats seize the House, the Senate and multiple governor’s mansions.
The Democrats won 53 seats in the Senate while the Republicans had 42. In the House of Representatives, the margin is even wider. While the Democrats won 227 seats, the Republicans had 134. What is considered most remarkable development is the Democratic inroad into traditionally Republican settled territory.
Most commentators see the outcome of the midterm elections as a referendum on Trump’s second coming. According to one commentator, theAdministration’s economic policies, foreign policy decisions, immigration agenda and leadership style have all faced renewed scrutiny from American voters.
Perhaps the most remarkable development is the Democratic breakthrough in traditionally Republican territory. “Victories reported in states such as Texas, Kansas and South Carolina demonstrate that political loyalty is not necessarily permanent. Even states considered reliable party strongholds can become competitive when voters are sufficiently dissatisfied.”
In matured democracies where elections are free and fair, thus credible, inflation, cost of living, fuel prices, healthcare and household economic pressures are powerful determinants of electoral behaviour. In other words, the economy determines political destinies. The commentator states that politicians may win arguments on ideology, patriotism and national identity, voters ultimately want government that improve their everyday lives.
Mr Trump will need to change his style. He must drop his arrogance and toga of a semi-god. He has been racist, divisive and uncouth in his pronouncements and conduct. It is even now, more than when he won in his second coming that American people regained control of their country. At that time, he said the emergence of his second presidency “will forever be remembered as the day the American people regained control of their country. It is time to put the divisions of the last four years behind us,” referring to Joe Bidden’s era. “It’s time to unite.”
That charge speaks more to the present-day America than when he was taking over from Mr. Joe Bidden. It is incontestable for instance, in the views of the commentator: “His ICE, DOGE and hate for Diversity Equity and inclusion which gives African Americans and other minority groups a stake counted. Many Blacks in southern states suffered at the hands of KKK/White Supremacist and these formed the basis of Trump’s MAGA support.”
Even though the Jews are an establishment with considerable lobby and influence in the United States on American power brokers, it is observed that “despite decades of Netanyahu goading America to attack Iran, he never succeeded with successive Presidents until Trump arrived and he was deceived. This war on Iran brought on rippling effect on global economic activities and most especially skyrocketed gasoline prices and brought on inflation in America and all over Europe.”
With the loss of Congressional control, it is certain Mr. Trump will not be able to ride rough-shod over the Congress. According to the analyst, “a Democratic-controlled Congress can significantly complicate his remaining two years in office.” This is because it is to be expected that there will be greater Congressional alertness, investigations and tougher oversight. Legislative confrontations and disagreements are predictable, if not given, over government spending and presidential policies.
It should go without saying that the Democrats now have an opportunity to rebuild their party, strengthen their national and international profile and prepare for the next presidential election as, in the words of commentators,“winning the midterm election does not automatically guarantee victory in 2028. They must demonstrate that they can govern effectively and offer credible solutions to America’s problems.” All said, the dramatic development in the American power equation is indicative of a scenario that is no longer lurking in the shadows. Indeed, “the 2028 presidential election has just become interesting,” in the words of the analyst. I cannot agree more in the circumstances of the world today.
Former President Barack Obama, commenting on what has been described variously as Democrats waves, landslide, tsunami etc, said in a post on his social platform: “Tonight, the American people sent a clear message—they want a politics that brings people together rather than divide them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face.”
The Hill online newspaper reports him as setting the tone for the next two years when he said: “Our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the groundwork for the future.” His full statement reads:
“Tonight the American people sent a clear message—they want a politics that brings people together rather than divide them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face.
“These results were only possible because outstanding candidates stepped forward in every region of the country—including areas once considered long shots. They came from different backgrounds and represented a range of political perspectives, but were united by shared values, a belief in public service, and a commitment to putting the people of their districts and states first.
“We also owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of election officials and volunteers from both parties who helped ensure a smooth election and carried out one of the most essential functions of our democracy.
“While this administration has another two yearsin office, our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the ground work for the future.”
It is being speculated that with the Democrats sweeping victory, the House may see the emergence of the first Black Speaker when voting for the Speakership seat takes place in January.
In this last phase of his Presidency, it is to be hoped that Mr. Trump will strive really hard to prove the American Press wrong, which had as far back as 2016 expressed doubts about his fitness and competence to be President of the United States of America. The New York Times said the nomination of “Donald Trump least prepared presidential candidate…is the Republican Party’s trek into darkness…” The powerful and highly rated newspaper said at some other time again in 2016: “Mr. Trump, who would be the most volatile and least prepared presidential candidate nominated by a major party in modern times; a man once ridiculed by many prominent Republicans will become the G.O.P.standard bearer.
“This is a moment of reckoning for the Republican Party. It’s incumbent on its leadership to account for the failures and betrayals that led to this, and find a better way to address them than the demagogy on offer.”
Washington Post did not mince words. Its disapproval of Mr. Trump started from the headline which read: “It’s beyond debate that Donald Trump is unfit to be President.” And the body of the editorial read in part: “Even if Trump manages to conduct himself presidentially for an hour and ahalf, that could not undo the many, many instances …in which he has insulted, acted out, lied and countenancedviolence beyond even some of the most rough and tumble precedents of modern American politics.”
The Arizona Republic endorsing Hilary Clinton said it was its first time it would back a Democrat since its founding in 1880. Same for San Diego Union-Tribune which had not endorsed a Democratic nominee in its 148-year history. After the Houston Chronicle endorsed Clinton, the Texas Monthly asked: “Will any major newspapers in Texas Endorse Donald Trump?”
The Chicago Sun-Times reversed a 2012 decision to stop endorsements, saying to its readers that “the best way to avert a train wreck is to wave a warning flag as soon as possible.”
USA Today in its own case did not explicitly endorse Clinton. All It said was: “Reset the siren song of a dangerous demagogue. By all means vote, just not for Donald Trump.”
The New York Times that led the way stated that its endorsement of Hillary Clinton was rooted in “respect for her intellect, toughness, experience and courage” in an editorial captioned ‘Hillary Clinton for President.’Hillary Clinton has a record of service and a raft of pragmatic ideas, and the other, Donald Trump, discloses nothing concrete about himself or his plans while promising the moon and offering the stars layaway… The best case for Hillary Clinton cannot be, and is not, that she isn’t Donald Trump. The best case is, instead, about the challenges this country faces, and Mrs. Clinton’s capacity to rise to them.”
Mr Trump’s response to the blistering editorials of all major newspapers was a decision to boycott the yearly White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He attended for the first time in all his six years as U.S. President and Commander-in-Chief only in April this year!
