In case you haven't noticed, there's sort of a major political event going on in America. The most original example of American exceptionalism and democracy is our open election for President. This year America finds itself staring at one of the more unorthodox and unprecedented races in memory. But why is this race so much more entertaining, enticing, and even embittering than so many that had come before it?
The issues pull us all over the board, including the far right, left, and hard center.
It seems over the last 10 years America has divided itself on many social issues. Rapid social change including gay marriage, marijuana legalization, and illegal immigration prove divisive topics. This division is only encouraged by the fact that our government runs on a two-party system. With only two major political parties, voters feel obligated to take the side of one extreme or the other. And negotiation in this system is discouraged at best.
The candidates are familiar names (for better or worse)
Just look no farther than the “frontrunners” of each party. Hillary Clinton is the skilled Senator, former First Lady, and of course a former Secretary of State. Her platform runs on her long experience in Washington which will allow her to accomplish what outsiders cant. The Republican Party boasts Donald Trump. Trump is a highly successful businessman, real-estate mogul, and reality television star. The polar opposite to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trump flys the flag of being an independent entity. He boasts that his success in the private sector lends him the necessary skills to lead a nation and his wealth means he can’t be “bought” by campaign donors or lobbyists. Close friends during Bill Clinton’s administration, these powerhouses now find themselves fighting one another.
The Democratic Race is much more enticing than anticipated.
When Barrack Obama was elected the 44th President (Though only the 43rd person to hold the office) all eyes in the Democratic Party turned toward Hillary Clinton. For the last seven years ever move by the party has been to establish her as the obvious choice not only for party candidacy, but also for President. But given our history overcoming exceptional odds, the American populace has reveled in the emergence of Bernie Sanders. The democratic socialist Congressman from Vermont has shown himself as a modern day David willing to battle Mrs. Clinton’s political Goliath. Similar to Trump, Sanders pushes hard against traditional party donors, claiming to campaign for the working American as opposed to Wall Street special interests. His ideas for affordable college tuition and healthcare reform have also energized young voters.
The Republican race is a beautiful mess.
Once again, the Republican party’s campaign has been night-and-day to the Democratic. Since 2012, the party has been searching for a new leader. With former candidate Mitt Romney and popular governor Rick Perry both sitting this one out, there truly was no obvious Republican candidate. At one point there were seventeen candidates in the race. This diversity of candidates provided voters a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of views on political topics. Everything from the Libertarian-minded Rand Paul to the faith-inspired Mike Huckabee and more former governors than one could count offer Republican primary voters the ability to truly find a best-fit candidate.
Why is this campaign so different?
This campaign is different because Donald Trump has kept himself in the news with his inflammatory comments on American Muslims, illegal immigrants, and even recently an entire debate audience. The race is different because Hillary Clinton possibly blundered during the Benghazi attacks. It’s different because many voters still aren’t sure just what role in the government their faith should hold. It’s different because one candidate proposes the most liberal Presidential agenda since the New Deal and some compare it to Communism (spoiler alert, it’s not). There are a number of reasons why this election cycle is different. And we as eligible voters are obligated to follow the race and research every one of these candidates in order to make an informed decision that will affect American lives for the next four years.
