At the breakfast table in my house, conversation often leads to the 2016 election lately. Usually one of my roommates or myself sees something ridiculous Donald Trump said or a sweet video of Ellen Page confronting Ted Cruz about LGBTQ rights, which leads one of us to say, “Oh my god,” sparking a political conversation ending in head shaking about Trump having the potential to be on the Republican ticket. Pretty typical college girl, if your typical college girls are globally concerned and journalism or sociology majors.
One morning we were talking about how awesome it would be to have a president like Bernie Sanders, a relatively popular college student opinion. For one, this guy is focused on equality primarily, whether it’s income equality, fair and humane immigration laws, or abolishing student debt. He’s a 73-year-old Jewish liberal-democrat who has stolen the hearts (and hopefully votes) of college student’s nation wide. The crowds he draws are huge, enthusiastic and ready for change. What’s the most awesome is that he has a real shot at becoming the democratic candidate!
Hillary Clinton is the only one in front of him for Democratic primaries (+24.3), and to be entirely honest, there’s a personal conflict of interest! As a feminist and Secretary of State, I’ve always thought pretty highly of her. She ran one of the most efficient State Departments in the history of American history in my opinion, which is contrary to Donald Trump’s opinion. She’s a 67-year-old moderate democrat who’s already spent at least a term in the White House. I personally think she’s the most qualified, and agree with most of her policies. For instance, similar to Sanders, she’s looking to lower student debt and tuition, reform immigration policies, and to raise middle class incomes.
I feel really good about all of these things and for the most part, she coincides with my guy Bernie. However, Hillary can be more of a moderate democrat, and notoriously changes her opinion with political trends and the public’s opinion. For the most part, I’m a pretty big fan of hers, and among many women I know, there’s a more-power-to-her attitude.
Now, this wouldn’t be a 2016 election-opinion article if I didn’t mention the crowd favorite, Donald Trump. A man I only really knew from television during my childhood, and associated with one line: “You’re fired.” I now roll my eyes so hard that I can see my own brain when I think about Trump, especially after reading up on some of his opinions about immigration and keeping big money in politics--basically everything students at my school would throw a fit about if he won. Not to mention, his recent comments about Mexican migrants show just a hint of ignorance.
Maybe the worst part about Trump is the fact that he is LEADING THE POLLS for the Republican ticket. I looked at them while discussing with my roommates what it would be like for Trump to be elected, and was shocked to find out the guy actually might end up having a 50/50 chance.
What I would consider to be ideal, and the only reasonable way to make sure Trump isn’t elected, is for whoever ends up winning Democratic (Clinton or Sanders) primaries to choose the other as their VP. Realistically, I predict Clinton will stay ahead in the polls and hopefully make Sanders her VP. This is my sure-fire solution to keeping Trump out of the White House. I almost think Clinton is moderate enough to where moderate Republicans may end up voting for her instead of someone who is primarily a celebrity.
Despite Clinton’s infamous secret email scandal, I think Republicans may end up panicking when their party’s choice is the not so esteemed producer of "The Apprentice," and show a true swing vote to keep him out of office. As a college student at a notoriously liberal school, most of us are rooting for Bernie, but as a realist, I can say you should expect a Clinton-Sanders 2016 sign on my lawn next fall.
