I’m afraid, but both gentlemen (Max & Sey) got it wrong. I am surprised that Max has taken such a position against Mr Donald Trump, after showcasing Mr Trump’s campaign strategy, in an earlier exchange about PDOIS, as a successful strategy that parties like PDOIS should take note of. I agree with the sentiments Max expressed here about Mr Trump, but I am baffled that a person who has such a view about Mr Trump would point to his campaign strategy as worthy of emulation or has Max done a u-turn (just an observation).
What is unfolding before our own eyes on the American Political scene, is perhaps, one of those rare opportunities when the most acclaimed claim about America being the greatest democracy ever, can be tested to either authenticate it or dismiss it for what it is: propaganda.
Max is absolutely right that Mr Donald Trump, if he truly believes in what he is saying on his platform, has no place in a civilized society, nor has such rhetoric any place on the public platform ( if he does not believe in what he is saying), but I think Max is wrong to conclude that Mr Trump’s rhetoric does not reflect American Public opinion, because it very well does, and that is why he is brushing aside every opponent before him and the most likely Republican Party Presidential Candidate, if that choice depends on the popular vote.
I believe Trump’s rhetoric does not represent the VALUES upon which the United States of America was founded, nor does it represent the fundamental principles on which the United States existed for so long, which has given hope to many, served as an inspiration for many and catapulted it to the leadership of what was then called the civilised world. Unfortunately, public opinion in the USA, like the rest of the developed world, is changing and that change is reflected, not only in the popularity of bigots like Trump, but also others around the developed world, and even the most extremist of the lot, the Neo-Nazis, are now finding platforms on the public spaces in these countries, to pedal their hatred, disguised under different political guises.
The factors for the shift in public opinion are many but can be classified under two headings : Internal and External Factors. Internally, in the United States, as in many developed countries, the pressures of the Neo-liberal economic system on the masses of the population, which translate into job loses, declining household incomes, increased poverty, increased immigration levels and declining public services (to name a few), is making it harder and harder for people to live decent livelihoods, and where these happen, the natural reaction is to search for who to blame. The mainstream media, which is controlled by those reaping the benefits of the system, and from which the majority access information to form opinions, presents news in a way that blames everyone, except the real culprits, and often, it is the “other guys” that are singled out.
Foreign Policy is another (external) factor and it plays no small part in shaping public opinion, both within the US and abroad. The United States, which used to enjoy uncontested leadership on the world stage, is slowly and gradually losing that privilege due to its disastrously aggressive and militaristic foreign policy, which has caused unimaginable suffering on many peoples that live their lives under constant American missiles, and the angry reactions of these people, is again used by mainstream media to create a certain public mind-set, leading to a change in public opinion about those people. Donald Trump can get support when he makes sweeping comments against Muslims or Mexicans because a certain perception about Muslims and Mexicans has already been formed by the public, and so the public feels that he is speaking for them. Donald Trump, therefore, is reflecting public opinion on his platform and this should not be dismissed lightly. Adolf Hitler was able to do what he did because German public opinion was shaped, prepared and made ready for it. The United States is a very powerful country and it is dangerous that a person like Mr Trump is even finding support on the public platform, never mind leading the race to the White House.
I have read and re-read Hon. Sey’s comments and tried to contextualise them, but no matter what angle I looked at it, I just could not escape the conclusion that this contradicts what I know of the man called Hon. Essa Bokar Sey, from listening to him on Hello Gambia. The Hon. Sey I have conjured in my mind will not compromise his principles or values for anything and I believed he was against politics of hate and deception. For Hon. Sey to claim that Mr Donald Trump may not do what he is saying when he gets into the White House, is like condoning politics of deception because Mr Trump would have been guilty of deceiving the voters. I would expect the Hon.Sey I have conjured in my mind, to strongly condemn Mr Trump for using his platform to spread hate, or at the very least, express reservation about Mr trump and his reach for the presidency of perhaps, the most powerful state on earth.
Though Max has not made issue with Hon. Sey’s attempts to shift the blame of Islamophia on Muslims, I cannot believe that a man with such an Islamic background and knowledge would excuse such postures even if they come from his preferred Presidential candidate. I believe that Hon. Sey is wrong to shift the blame of Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric onto Muslims, and should instead, add his voice to those that condemn Mr Trump for using the actions of a few misguided so called Muslims, to brand the many Muslims as responsible for acts of terror and deserving to be banned from entering the United States.
Ends
Thank you for your observation about my response to Mr Sey’s stance on Donald Trump. However, my position about Mr Trump’s view in terms of negative rhetoric has always been the same. During our discussion on the subject titled “Halifa Becomes PDois presidential Candidate,” dated February 24, 2016, I showcased Mr. Trump’s compromise, his ability to change political parties and positions. He was characterized by tha Republican Party leadership as a non-conservative; they do not like him because of his rhetoric. My effort was to indicate to PDOIS is that idealogy-driven politics is not a winnable strategy because politicians Need to be pragmatic and compromise some ideas/positions into order to be successful. In the same posting, I highlighted Bernie Sanders as another politician who changed positions or parties.
Here is what I said in that discussion about Mr Trump.
“Look at Donald Trump today in USA! Despite the fact the Republican Party leadership and intellectual base do not like and support him at the beginning because of his rhetoric and their characterization that he is not conservative but as campaign continues you will see from party leadership to support him since he is winning. Mr Trump has changed positions on many issues before and he has also changed political parties. But if you are obsessed with your ideology and do not accept changes and unwilling to compromise, you will never achieve any progress in politics. Another example is Bernie Sanders who has also changed and political party just like Mr. Trump”.
From above quote I simply underscored the importance of compromise. I do believe that Mr. Trump rhetoric is not good for America because it is divisive and doesn’t represent the public opinion. But Here is why he is winning.
First of all, we should all remember that this is republican primary and Mr Trump’s campaign strategy and his rhetoric in terms of policy and bigotry is to excite the republican base but not general American Electorates. This is why recent polls on general population all indicated high negativity about Mr. Trump’s candidacy and his views as well as electability. His rhetoric is a threat to core American values such as individual rights (religious freedom), and entrepreneurism.
Secondly, Mr Trump is winning because he is bringing new voters into Republican Party. Mr trump’s view on trade, USA economic Policy with foreign countries such as China, Japan etc and his view on immigration, being neutral in the case of Israel and Palestine, and anti-interventionalism in many countries are all factors why he is gaining support among republican base. These views such as anti-interventionalism, being neutral on Israel and Palestine conflict and trade policy are totally against the core principles of Republican Party, which for the past two decades Believe in interventionalism and totally support Israel. It is this reason that republican leadership didn’t also support and like him. His negative rhetoric such as Ban on Muslims or calling for building of walls on USA border is not the reason why he is winning because the polls have shown that most republicans and majority of Americans support immigration and legalization of undocumented immigrants. Though I do believe that he is tapping into people’s worst fear to gain some support among the republican Base and such views has no place in civilized society. In recent elections, we have seen a lot of democrats and independents who voted for Mr Trump because of the economic policy, trade and anti-interventionalism in foreign countries. Republican Party’s grassroots are sick and tired of war or interventions in other countries.
The another reason why democrats and independents support Mr. Trump during this primary in state with open primary, is his compromise or flexibility on domestic policies such as his stand on abortion or even healthcare. Remember that Mr. Trump used to support both parties. He is not ideological driven and this was why republican leadership began to think about to support him few weeks ago but his rhetoric continue to be divisive and dangerous. This is why all efforts are mounted to stop him before getting nomination.
American foreign policy is the only area that both parties usually support the president. This was why majority supported Iraq war and now they do not support Obama to intervene in Syria. Very few republicans want Obama to intervene in Syria.
Mr Trump is winning because he is established in American media and pop culture. He understand how the media works. He has used latest technology such as Twitter to propaganda and send his message. he hasn’t used much money to campaign than other candidates and he is self financing his campaign which makes voters to trust him. He frequently criticized lobbyists which is popular message on both parties.
Finally, Mr. Trump was created by Republicans themselves because he spearheaded the birther movement which at the time really want to delegitimized Mr. Obama’s presidency. He has used republican media such as Fox News to position himself as republican and make names for himself while the leadership stayed muted on such false propaganda about Mr. Obama’s birth.
Mr Trump’s rhetoric is his worst nightmare because it will result to his defeat. His rhetoric doesn’t represent public opinion in my view. My comparison of Mr. Trump to PDOIS was to showcase compromise, pragmatism and flexibility in changing positions so that we can have effective coalition in The Gambia. I do agree with you that Mr Trump candidacy is a test to authenticate Americans democracy and that is why his fellow republicans are trying very hard to stop him before convention. If they cannot stop him then there is high chance of open or brokered convention. Such scenario is not in the best interest of the Republican Party because Hillary Clinton win easily if she embark of thorough opposition research, effective campaign and define Mr Trump early on in the general election. I would have supported Mr. Trump if he didn’t engage in negative rhetoric because he has bipartisan appeal in his resume. Unfortunately, he is divisive, bigotry and is a threat to core American core values. Therefore, I do not consider him as true and genuine leader.
Mister,
what are you really about? I ask because you clearly seem to be going through some form of a mid life crisis. I have reviewed your posts over a protracted period. Sometimes, you are Max, others, you are Maxs. Regardless, it’s one silly topic after another that no one can make sense of. You’re almost always taking pot shots at others for what seems to me to be out of envy, yet you don’t have anything to offer.
The fact is since your appearance on this forum, we are yet to see ONE coherent analysis from you on anything!. This nonsense on Donald Trump is simply ineffable. You ramble on and on apparently not realizing the kind of junk you post as serious reading material for the public.Really sad.
It’s no surprise you hide behind a false name to do what you do. Typical fifty years old school boy cowardly behavior! Real men write under their own name and take responsibility for what they write. My advise to you is simple:If you want to be taken seriously 1.Get your facts straight 2. Write in the name your mother and father gave you!
And yes, the editor is right: both you and Sey are wrong on Donald Trump.
John B, I can’t stop laughing when you mentioned that I should use my real name . Well John B , you must have forgotten about yourself, is that not hypocritical ? Calling on someone to use his real name when you refused to use yours is the highest form of dishonesty . You are not a real man and I don’t think you are intelligent enough to realize that . So whether I used my real name or not , what really matters to me is the ability to express my views . You can either accept my views or totally reject them , that is your right . Therefore your opinion on that regard is baseless. But I noticed you didn’t even say anything about the topic under discussion till the last part , you went on to an attack mode . You need to calm down and use your brain to connect the dots . I think you have missed the whole idea why this forum was created. For simple explanation , it was created to exchange ideas , have discussion , educate or even to rectify misinformation . Which means everyone is entitled to his or her opinion .
You have keen interest in my writings that was why you took your time to review them , the good news is that I have impacted your life to the extend that you can’t control your feelings but you have to attack . I have never heard about you , so I will encourage you to speak up your mind but I guess you have nothing to offer . I do have great ideas to offer and this is why I always have good discussion with intelligent people in this forum. Why can’t you simply join ? It is funny that you have classified my freedom of expression as an envy . You need to look up the word “envy ” before you express yourself.
Finally , if you are not a coward , you shouldn’t be attacking me but you should express your view as to why I was wrong . Everything you posted here has no single idea or view about the topic . I have indicated why mr Sey was wrong in my view and I stated why mr Trump was wrong , so let us hear from you why you said both of us are wrong . The editor has expressed his view on both of us . You need to express your position to make the discussion lively and educate us but being mad at me is not going help you , it is going to increase your blood pressure which will results to serious health consequences . Keep your advice to yourself , be tolerance to other’s view and engage in civilized discussion if you can , otherwise keep your mouth shut and be a reader .