Never be silent when democracy is at risk

My friend called it “the debacle”. And a tragedy it was. Like a profoundly serious warning that democracy can always be at stake, even in a very well-developed society. Democracy is a never-ending endeavour. Everything rests on leadership and the ability to respond to power abusers. No one can remain silent in that kind of situations. In the end, democracy, respect for the individual opinions of everyone and the fight against fear are the pillars of modern societies. Those who attack them, particularly those who do it from a position of power, cannot be left alone. They must be permanently challenged.

 

Bernie must accept the facts

Bernie Sanders is on the losing side of the Democratic primaries. He wants to stay on and debate Joe Biden this coming Sunday. I think it is a divisive move, but I respect his decision. But my opinion about his campaign is very clear. Soon after the next round and if there is no miracle, he should acknowledge Biden’s victory and move out of the race. His continuation in the primaries can become a distraction. A serious one, when the objective is to gain enough leverage to beat President Trump.

Tough times for the Democrats

The Democratic primary in Iowa has not been an auspicious beginning for the party’s presidential campaign. It has given a chance to the opposing camp to say the Democrats are messy and inefficient. President Trump has already started to shoot. He is very good at ridiculing his adversaries. One should not give him any space to do that.

This year’s presidential campaign is going to be particularly tough. All campaigns are very demanding, that’s true. But the current one could be extraordinarily nasty. Donald Trump knows how to fight a street fight. That’s is main strength. The Democratic side must be able to fight him both at that level and at the substantive level. In addition, it will require a constant attention to the mass communication side of things. The Democratic nominee must have an easy and pleasant TV presence. His or her communications team must be first class.

Not easy.

I am afraid we will keep seeing Donald Trump for a good number of years ahead.

Killing grounds

Hillary Clinton lost the election. She was by far the best candidate. The televised debates have shown that with great clarity. But that is no longer enough to carry the voters with you. To win, in today´s connected world, you have to show no mercy and spend day and night, and every other opportunity, attacking the image of your key opponent. Regarding your adversary, the more destructive you are, the greater the chances of winning the contest. After the victory, you can smile and say some nice things. The power is already in your lap.

On the US elections

When someone like Donald Trump is competing for the top spot, politics end up by focusing on temperament and the candidate´s suitability for the job. The debate is no longer about ideas and programmes. That´s what we are currently seeing. And that´s where the focus of Hillary Clinton´s campaign should be. But she should keep away from being directly involved in those attacks. People around her can do that business. She should continue to speak about the way she sees her presidency, her policies and priorities. As she does it, she should emphasise that on the other side of the spectrum there is only vacuity and incongruence. And keep repeating it as the aides keep underlining the opponent´s erratic personality.

Hillary Clinton

It is now certain that Hillary Clinton will be the democratic presidential nominee. That´s great news and also pretty reassuring. And one should also underline the excellent results she achieved in California, a key state. That has shown she can mobilize strong support in a dynamic, complex and varied state. I can only wish her well and above all the wisdom to keep saying the right things and be in a position to bring a large number of voters under her banner. She has to be able to win the election in November. The other option would be, sooner or later, a disaster for the US and also for those in the Western world. Let´s have no doubt about it. And also be clear and state it without any type of ambiguity. 

Do not underestimate Trump´s chances

The snags Hillary Clinton is facing – obvious today again as we got the results of the primaries in Kentucky and Oregon – do not augur well. She will have an extremely tough time fighting against Donald Trump´s populist campaign. Hillary will win the Democratic nomination, no doubt about that, but she will need a very well planned battle plan, and a different personal style, closer to people´s day-to-day preoccupations, if she wants to have a chance to win the presidential election.

It is not going to be easy at all. Trump is now changing his methods, softening his discourse, building friendships all over, and making sure he looks as a top class statesman. At the same time, he will remain a major attraction for many average people who are tired of traditional politics and life-long professional politicians. It is important to recognise he will be a formidable opponent. He is in this game to win and he knows one or two things about defeating political old hands. Just ask the other guys that were competing against him in his own camp. He should not be underestimated at all. 

Trump and the politics of resentment

These are strange times. That´s why someone like Donal Trump is now in the centre of the stage. And then we find ourselves spending hours on him and his theatrics.

That´s what many of us did yesterday, as he was delivering his “major speech” on foreign policy. After the delivery, we all decided to write about it. Basically, to state that his views are naïve, simplistic, unaware of the complexities of state relations and so on. Fine.

But we also forgot that he was not speaking to us. His audience was the down-to-earth white American that feels the world of today is not responding to his or her preoccupations. Those who believe America is losing influence, international prestige and job opportunities.

I am afraid they might have liked his acting, the words, the conviction and the simplicity that comes from a very effective, but empty slogan, “America first”.

Trump might not win the presidential contest. But he is certainly contributing to harden the views and the resentments of those in the US that believe they are left behind by the elites. That will have some very serious long term consequences. 

Some good news from Africa

The people of the Central African Republic are tired of conflict. They have shown it a few days ago when they voted in the second round of the presidential elections. It was a peaceful day and the outcome of the elections was accepted by all the key players and also by the general population.

The former Prime-Minister Faustin Touadéra, a man I know well and have always appreciated, won the elections. It was in many ways a surprise. He was not the candidate the observers were betting on. But he got it. Peacefully. Constitutionally. And I only hope this means we have initiated the national reconciliation path.  

Clinton´s Hitler

Madness is a key ingredient in the making of a political leader. The crazier one is the greater are the chances of getting in charge. We tend to let mad people go ahead with their folly and they end up in positions of power.

Today´s candidates to top the crazies and dreamers lists look like stranger idiots from the cold. These are dangerous times.

This is also a very regrettable trend.

Mrs Clinton felt she should joint this club. And to be sure she would be accepted in the inner circle, she came to the fore and compared Hitler with the Russian leader. A very unfortunate comparison. But it can certainly bring a good handful of votes. And in politics that´s much more important than being reasonable and moderate.