The Shift in American Voter Dynamics and Demographic Diversity
Foreign Policy Blunders and Domestic Discontent Behind the Republican Rout
The stunning victory of the Democrats in the US midterm elections hands them control of both houses of Congress. It is a restoration of democracy in the oldest home. When some of its institutions lose their sheen and the executive assume extra-large-powers, it is proof of democracy’s undimmed power that it corrects the course and put things under control through the vote. US president Donald Trump has made these elections a referendum on his rule. He dominated the show and the people have decided, in no uncertain terms, that they do not like the present dispensation under Trump at all. Trump now has to resort to veto in facing the Congress.
Historic Inroads and the Midterm Mandate
It was Donald Trump’s worst political setback of his second term. Democrats not only won handsomely in their traditional stronghold states (such as Colorado, Oregon and Illinois), held on the important swing states (Georgia, Michigan and Virginia) but also made historic inroads into “red states” (Texas, Kansas and Iowa) known as Republican states. Democrats have won a seat in Texas for the first time since 1937. But Trump had the audacity to say that had his name been on the ballot, the Republicans would have won hands down. It is possible only with a megalomaniac person like Trump to say both the things in the same breath. The voters have given their judgment on Trump’s lopsided policies, arrogant behaviour and the persistent allegations of corruption. It is unhesitating thumps down from the voters as far as the top policies of Trump administration are concerned.
The Demise of Promises
Trump is not the first president to lose both the houses of the Congress. In 1994 midterms, Newt Gingrich, the then opposition leader year humbled Clinton. In 2006, three years after invading Iraq, Bush lost the House and the Senate. Obama also lost the midterm polls in 2010. However, this year’s election is not just the routine swing of the pendulum. But the rout faced by Trump is unprecedented. Susan Collins lost her seat after 30 years. In Texas, James Talarico won a senate seat that had not been held by a Democrat for 32 years.
Ironically, Trump survived two impeachments and four indictments. A fixed calendar and an election every two years to renew Congress had beaten him. Trump was a strong President who promised to reduce prices and control the inflation. But the cost of goods has gone up and living expenditure has become unbearable under. Fuel charges have gone up. Trump obliged Netanyahu and jumped into Iran war and got the top leaders of the country killed. In Gaza, about 70,000 Palestinians were killed, 20 thousand of them children. Ending the war has been most seductive policy pronouncement the President often made. People of America are not in favour of a prolonged war and the annihilation of top leadership of a rival country. The people want the immigration laws implemented. But they don’t like the immigrants to be humiliated. Indian immigrants were dispatched to their home with their hands and feet chained. When Latino voters voted for Trump, it was thought that their shift is permanent. But this time they voted against Republican candidates.
The Rise of Inclusive and Multicultural Leadership
The elections have thrown up a rainbow of secular forces defeating the rightist and religious forces represented by Trump. Even earlier, Mamdani took over as New York mayor in spite of Trump’s campaign against him. Now Nitya Raman of Keralam roots is elected mayor of Los Angeles. Which means the first and second largest cities in the US West coast and the East coast have mayors who are persons with Asian origin. Of course, both Mamdani and Nitya Raman do not live in Uganda and India anymore. Raman’s relatives back in Keralam are proud of the fact that she understands Malayalam. Nitya Raman, a 45 – year old, political tyro with only six years of experience on the Los Angeles city council, at a time in counting of votes was in the third place. She gradually improved her position to the second and ultimately first place, making it an extraordinary victory. Abdul el-Sayed, a son of an Egyptian and a son-in-law of an Indian, is now the first Muslim senator. Ilan Omar, a Somali – American Muslim got reelected to the House of Representation. Senate minority leader Hakeem Jeffries will soon be made the first African-American-Speaker of the House.
Integration and Political Reality in American Elections
The election of America’s first Muslim senator, the victory of African-American candidates in gubernatorial races, the likelihood of the first Black Speaker of the House of Representatives and visibility of Indian-Americans in legislatures is contrary to recent perception of the US as a racist country. Indians in America have been utterly unhappy with the MAGA (Making American Great Again) groups’ anti-Indian rhetoric. Majority of the Indian-American voters have voted against the Republicans in midterm elections. In the process, it is usually forgotten that the US is a country of immigrants and it has an extraordinary capacity to absorb others and elevate them to higher positions. It does not, however, mean that the religious and racist prejudices are not there. But they are not considered at the time of polling.
There is no doubt that the US has a problem with immigrants. That is why when Trump talks or acts against immigrants he is hailed as a leader. But the fact of the matter is that the Americans oppose the new comers first and then gradually get used to live with them. During the first term of Trump, there was anti-East Asian racism. Since 1965 when immigration reforms were introduced, the Indians and other Asians started going to the US and settle down there.
Prominent Journalist
Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy is a versatile journalist with a distinguished career. Dr. Murthy began his extensive career with Andhra Prabha of The Indian Express group in Bengaluru. He was editor of Udayam, Vaartha and Andhra Jyothy. Dr. Murthy founded and edited HMTV news channel and The Hans India, an English newspaper. He was also editorial director of the Telugu newspaper, Saakshi. He was awarded Ph. D for his research work in rural reporting. Dr. Murthy’s five decades in journalism showcases his influential roles across both print and electronic media. He wrote the political biography of NTR published by Harper Collins.
Email: murthykondubhatla@gmail.com
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