Other Politics

It may make sense taking a look back at history as we are trying to understand what has been happening south of the border over the last months. Ever since Donald Trump formally announced his candidacy in June 2015, most observers where hit by surprise as the campaign unfolded through a series of events that culminated in the electoral outcome of November 8. If viewed through a broader historical lens, however, these developments are surprisingly consistent with a deeper pattern of presidential politics. 

Here's the op ed that I wrote and which appeared in the National Post earlier this week.  For some reason, the paper didn't post it online but it did run in the hard copy of the paper. I have been getting a number of emails asking why it isn't online so here is the best I can do! Enjoy.

The vulgar and narcissistic Donald Trump – isolationist, misogynist and xenophobic – was elected president of the United States last Tuesday night, and the sky did not fall.

Next day, the sun came up, and the sky still did not fall. Americans went to work and their children to school. The stock market defied predictions; instead of collapsing, it rose to record highs. 

The political earthquake of Donald Trump's stunning victory on Nov. 8, was greeted with surprised relief by most Republican elected officials.

It was a quirky victory based upon less than 85,000 votes in Michigan and Pennsylvania, while he was losing the overall popular vote by more than 200,000.