This American election is the most messed up, ever. Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does. The FBI’s resurrection of the email scandal gouges Hillary Clinton in the final days of electioneering, when most analysts had assumed she would sashay to victory. Now nobody is so sure anymore. The controversy brings into focus Hillary’s “trust” deficit. It questions her judgment. Undoubtedly, she is the most qualified person to run for president. But what’s the use of all that experience if as the foreign minister she makes the fundamental error of using an unsecured, private email server?
In the absence of transparency, explanation and information, conspiracy theories thrive. Why did the smart and savvy Hillary do something so stupid? Was she hiding something? Did she fear someone snooping? Is this election outcome being skewed? Is the FBI boss James Comey the new J. Edgar Hoover, the shadowy, controversial, even sinister spy chief of American history? In July, Comey had ended the email controversy stating Hillary was “careless” but not guilty of “criminal conduct”, “disloyalty to the US” or “efforts to obstruct justice.” Why then does he revive the scandal at this crucial juncture, especially when he says he is unsure if the new material is “significant” or that Hillary is guilty of criminal misconduct or that he can conclude this investigation before November 8? When they vote, don’t Americans have the right to know if Hillary is guilty or not guilty? If she is not, then for the FBI to resuscitate this controversy in the election campaign’s eleventh hour is a travesty of justice. If she is guilty and still wins, would she be indicted or impeached?
Illustration: Jairaj T.G.
What can American voters do when saddled with two bad choices: “Crooked Hillary” vs “Dangerous Donald”. Many may choose not to vote. Trump’s flip-flops, diatribes and lack of clear policy are trumped by his outrageous sexist and sexual comments. For him to accuse NBC of illegal behaviour in going public with his “locker room” banter reveals his contempt for free press and scrutiny. Shoot the messenger has been the hallmark of his bizarre game. The fact that a presidential nominee makes such offensive and lewd remarks should have been sufficient to disqualify him. But so far Trump has outperformed Ronald Reagan when it comes to being the ultimate “Teflon” candidate. Nothing seems to stick on him. He denies, shrugs or counter-attacks whenever confronted with an allegation. And blithely moves on—every time. The whole world wonders how on earth did Trump get this far? How can he get away with claiming he is a genius for not paying taxes for 18 years? How can he vaingloriously proclaim he is a winner when he has driven so many of his businesses to bankruptcy?
Many American women furiously assert this election campaign has been the most sexist, ever. They believe no candidate has battled the vilification and scrutiny that Hillary has been subjected to. But the Democrats are not entirely blameless either. While the Republican Party was hijacked by Trump, the whole Democratic Machine moved in to knock Bernie Sanders out of the race. Hillary’s long experience is a barrier for Democrats who want change. If elected president, will she be a pawn of special interests that finance candidates and have subverted American democracy into a plutocracy? On the other hand, though few in number, the women supporters of Trump are truly scary. Their hatred for Hillary is visceral. The way they viciously chant “Lock her up, Lock her up” resembles not just the ugly face of fascism or an Inquisition, but the medieval savagery of unwashed crowds cheering the burning of witches at the stake. What is utterly depressing is that all this is happening in the world’s most powerful democracy.
