THEIR political opponents from their respective parties might have conceded defeat following a long contentious primary season, but Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump would remain to be called as presumptive nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties respectively — up until they both get officially proclaimed to be their parties’ presidential nominee for the general election in November in their respective party conventions.
On July 18-21, the Republican Party (aka Grand Old Party or GOP), would have their big party convention in Cleveland, Ohio, while the Democratic Party would hold its convention on July 25-28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Delegates elected by constituents of every county nationwide, as well as party elites chosen by each party (super delegates), come together every nominating convention to officially nominate the party’s candidate for president and vice president. It is also when each party adopts the party’s platform and rules.
During the four-day convention, each party would present speakers to showcase their values, vision, and platform. It is also when they officially introduce their official nominees for president and vice president, and why they believe these nominees would best steer the country towards their party’s vision for America in the next four years.
While in the past election cycles the mood was festive and the enthusiasm for each respective candidate had been buoyed by the voters’ respect, admiration, and confidence for their presidential bet, this present election cycle would seem to be driven more by “hate” and “fear” the voters of each party feels about the opposing candidate, more than their love for their party’s nominee.
This sentiment was confirmed by a recent Associated Press/GFK survey which revealed that a vast majority of Americans say they are actually afraid of at least one of the two major presidential candidates [to be elected as the 45th President of the United States of America].
Eighty-one percent of those polled say they would feel afraid if either Trump or Clinton were elected. Seventy-five percent of respondents say their choice for president is motivated by the desire to make sure the other candidate does not win.
These findings are consistent with many polls that show both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have the highest unfavorable ratings among party frontrunners in recent election cycles.
What about you? Are you rooting for Clinton or Trump? Is your choice propelled by your respect and love for your candidate, or by your fear of and disdain for the other party’s candidate?
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
