The much-awaited Clinton-Trump debates
By this time, the first of the scheduled three debates between the Democrats' Hillary Clinton and the Republicans' Donald Trump is either on-going or has just been wrapped up. Whether we admit it or deny the US politics' relevance to us, the fact is we shall be definitely affected.
It has been said and perhaps rightly so that when the US sneezes, the Philippines catches flu. Despite the Obama-Duterte love-hate "zarzuela," the fact that can't just be ignored is that the US is our number one treaty ally. The Americans have trillions of dollars invested in our country, giving jobs to our people. We have millions of Filipinos in the US either as citizens or permanent residents, remitting billions of dollars to our country.
And, notwithstanding the Duterte overtures on warming up to China or to Russia, it is still cannot be denied that our ties with the US are not only well-anchored on historical moorings but also grounded on the economic, security, and other dimensions of Philippine national interests.
And so, if Clinton wins, the Filipinos will have better immigration opportunities. If Trump wins, the US doors will most probably be shut off. Our veterans will have less hope for parity rights, and Filipinos will not have brighter prospects under a Trump presidency. That is why our people in California, Hawaii, New York, Texas, Florida, the state of Washington, as well as in DC, and in all, other cities and states from the west to the east, are going to watch this much-awaited locking of horns between two political titans.
This first debate alone is expected to break the record of the most-watched televised presidential debate in US history between then incumbent 1980 president Jimmy Carter of the Democrats and the Rebublican challenger Ronald Reagan, watched by a record-breaking 80 million.
This Clinton-Trump bout is expected to have no less than 100 million watchers. It will be held in Hofstra University in Hemstead, Long Island, an hour-drive from New York. The debate is structured in ninety minutes, with six segments at 15 minutes each, to tackle three main points: "America's Direction," "Achieving Prosperity" and "Securing America." The moderator will be the much respected NBC anchor of the evening news program.
Clinton should be able to use this forum to gain more support from the sectors where Trump seems to be more accepted, which includes white adult male voters. While she is more experienced in the affairs of the state, having been first lady, senator, and secretary of state, Hillary has to demonstrate that she has more records of integrity and honesty than her foul-mouthed opponent (don't compare him to our own colorful president).
Clinton must explain her email controversy and the charges about donations to the Clinton foundation. She is already strong with the blacks, the Hispanics and even the Asian-Americans, and the women voters. But Trump is giving her a very determined fight. Clinton is not taking this sitting down.
Trump is still the underdog but he is doing well with the business sector (that's where the money is). Yet, he has much, much more explaining to do about his unusual ways of doing business. He has declared bankruptcies a lot of times, and above all, he has not shown so far that he has the bearing, the temperament, and the aura of being presidential. He has antagonized many people and sectors. He has badmouthed women, Mexicans, Muslim-Americans and even judges of superior courts. But he is promising to make America much greater and stronger in politics, economy, and quality of life.
There can be no bigger contrast than between the real estate mogul from the gambling haven of Atlantic City and the former first lady, a lawyer, diplomat, and parliamentarian.
And what matters most to us is that Hillary loves the Philippines and the Filipinos while Trump hates us like crazy.
- Latest
