Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/741600
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2016 16 Looking at the US presidential election from an outsider's perspective, one gets the impression that this campaign is unlike any other in recent history. Is that impression shared in the USA? Certainly: and not just in re- cent history either. We have quite frankly never had an election like this before. Even in the fact that one of the candidates has no po- litical experience whatsoever – not even in a State legislature. That's a first for the US. Donald Trump has been known in the gossip pages for 30 years or more. But he really came to public attention through reality TV: which is also something new for American elections. What we didn't see, I think, is what enor- mous electoral advantage that sort of celebrity status gave him. He was playing the role of a decisive leader on TV... but he was also be- ing himself. What a perfect way to market yourself to the American people as a possible future Presi- dent of the USA. And he's different in other ways, too. The way he speaks, the way he answers questions. People used to criticise George W. Bush for be- ing inarticulate; but Trump makes Bush sound like Lincoln. Bush would butcher language, but he would give you a complete sen- tence as an answer. Trump often times gives only one word. Nor- mally, you can't speak like this and be a politician... Is this part of his appeal? In the USA and elsewhere, there are indications that the electorate is growing suspicious of 'traditional' politics. Does this account for the rise of Donald Trump? In almost every country we have seen a split between the elite and the common people. In the United States, it is particularly exacerbat- ed because of the wide disparity between rich and poor. The tra- ditional political class has become part of the elite, and I think what we're seeing is a reaction against that. Look at the Clintons. When Bill Clinton entered politics, his appeal was that he wasn't part of that establishment. He was the type who would jog to McDonalds and have a cheese burger. He was a typical American in many ways. But look at what he's become as he entered the elite. Now, he's not going to McDonalds anymore. He's vacationing at Martha's Vine- yard, with the other elite. He goes to international conferences with the Clinton foundation, hobnob- bing with celebrities and the su- per-wealthy. Hillary Clinton gets paid half a million dollars to give speeches to banks. I think people are angry about this. Bill Clinton is remembered for saying – though he didn't actu- ally say it in as many words – 'I feel your pain'. That's how he got elected; that's how he beat George HW Bush. But now, politicians don't feel anybody's pain. They're too far removed from all that. And the common people are looking for a champion. They know Donald Trump isn't perfect; but they also know he isn't liked by polite com- pany. As one commentator said, he has all the right enemies. That's what makes him appealing. Isn't it ironic, however, that the common people would choose Donald Trump as a champion? He might not be a traditional politi- cian, but he is still part of the super- rich celebrity elite... hardly a repre- sentative of the 'common people'... It is the ultimate irony. But at the same time, Trump doesn't behave like part of the elite. He may go overboard with ostentatious dis- plays of wealth, but he doesn't talk like someone who is super-rich. He doesn't party at the Hamptons. He is not comfortable at very for- mal events. So he's got this every- man character about him, even if he is not 'every man'. Maybe it's the ideal combination. He's got the money, so he doesn't have to take money from anyone. At the same time, he has these 'common man' ways about him that are appealing. It's an interesting package. And yet, the polls seem to point towards an imminent Clinton victory... Virtually all the polls are say- ing that Donald Trump will lose this election, yes. But the fact re- mains that he could have won it. His general appeal is very power- ful to voters who feel voiceless. But he's made so many mistakes, and there's so much in his background that has damaged him. He doesn't know how to handle that... he's not good at getting out of those situ- ations. That is where traditional politicians have an edge. He may also have paid a high price for his non-conformism. Recent developments suggest that the Republican Party itself is now abandoning Trump in droves. Is it a case that Trump is also running against his own party? US elections Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges" Advert part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Co-financing rate: Public Eligible (80% European Union; 20% National Funds) Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Expression of Interest for Service Providers As part of the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Initiative, the Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto intends to launch: - 1. A Grant Scheme to address the objectives under Priority Axis 2 'Consolidating investment within the ICT sector' of Operational Programme I Cohesion Policy 2014 – 2020, namely increasing the number of enterprises conducting online sales. 2. A Grant Scheme under Priority Axis 3 'Enhancing Malta's Competitiveness through Investment in SMEs' of Operational Programme I Cohesion Policy 2014 – 2020 to support enterprises through the provision of external consultancy services to develop studies to assess the potential of future investment and operational interventions. Service Providers are being invited to submit their application to be included as registered service providers under the Schemes. Information Further information may be requested from the Measures and Support Division by sending an e- mail to msd.meaim@gov.mt. Applications Application forms may be accessed from www.businessenhance.gov.mt. Applications and supporting documentation are to be submitted to the Measures and Support Division, Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto, Triq il-Kukkanja Santa Venera, SVR 1411. US Presidential elections are always considered 'historical' events. But the 2016 election seems to be more historical than most. Political observer Prof. PAUL SRACIC outlines what makes this contest so unique A US election Paul Sraric RAPHAEL VASSALLO Trump vs Clinton: one is simply less disliked than the other