3 Losers and 1 Winner On November 8th
There's not much left to say in this presidential election. A neglected tidbit for each candidate:
* When objective historians look back on 2016, I predict the thing that'll amaze will be the degree to which ever-so-slight sexism went undetected. We've gotten used to dog whistles used to egg on racism, but perhaps because a female presidential candidate is so new to us. words like "secretary" have become popular, with its potential whip-saw of the 'secret' contained therein (a secretary of State being unavoidably secretive in order to keep the nation's secrets safe; and the error of secrecy when being a transparently public figure is expected). Another such word is "e-mail" with its potential reference to the male sex (or the absence of the 'f' of 'female). Thus, the anti-Clinton forces constantly refer to "secret e-mails". And this, when the top secret "classified" material at issue could, at the time, be found in the public realm (essentially, news reports of our use of drones). This sort of thing will be seen as harassment, in minor irritant form. The fact that Hillary can be calculating and awkward in public is a direct reflection of the immense amount of unwarranted bile secreted in an effort to smear her.
* Another thing that historians will notice, in hindsight, is the degree to which Donald Trump's star fell. I can remember the fascination with which his speech patterns, hand gestures and disarming frankness were met, despite the content of his speeches, in the first few months of his campaign. Then gradually, the crazy uncle's fun became stunningly and decidedly gauche. By the end of the campaign, the inherent sexism in his bossiness couldn't be ignored, and most reporting reflected this.
* Gary Johnson's hair. I'm surprised I didn't hear or read about how off-kilter his hair usually was. Of course, so was Bernie's. But Senator Sanders' expression didn't reinforce thoughts of imbalance.
* Jill Stein's absence. I don't believe I ever saw the Green Party candidate being interviewed on national TV.
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