Every four years a time comes when suddenly everyone is an expert on the rustbelt, has an opinion on Ohio and talks confidently about Florida's shifting demographics.
Chatter at Islington dinner parties is about whether Trump, Farage or Boris is the one they would least like to encounter at their next soiree. Whilst in red wall pubs, many debate which one they most admire for standing up for themselves.
A US Election is a very different experience to one here. Big money, means big advertising campaigns. In key states, every ad break and social media outlet will be wall to wall political ads, making it impossible to ignore.
What should we make of it all in the UK?
First our views won’t decide the election. American voters react badly to foreign pressure, it’s their President they are choosing.
This was hilariously demonstrated back in 2004 when Guardian readers took it on themselves to send letters to voters in Clark County, Ohio backing John Kerry, resulting in a swing to George Bush.
Labour’s clumsy attempt to get their staff to work for Harris, will result in a boost for Trump’s campaign.
Second we don’t see this election as Americans do. Those looking in from abroad focus on values and foreign policy, yet for an American voter it's more about whether they can make rent, buy groceries, get their kids to college and feel safer in their community.
The Trump Campaign asking: “Do you feel better off now than you did four years ago?” targets these, not the points many political pundits or left-wingers fret about.
Third, just because you have heard of someone does not mean their endorsement will sway votes.
Back in 2016 many commentators fawned over a star-studded Hollywood gala celebrating “Madam President” Hilary Clinton.
Meanwhile, the BBC interviewed a food bank queue in West Virginia. They were voting for Trump.
Biden’s Presidency is ending with a whimper, it’s not just his debating performance being criticised, the state of the US Economy and the Southern Border (America’s version of the small boats crisis) are all pushing voters back to Trump.
Biden cannot point to foreign policy success either, with the shambolic US exit from Afghanistan reminiscent of the fall of Saigon, war escalating in the Middle East, China more powerful than ever and Putin having invaded Ukraine. All with Kamala Harris as his loyal Vice-President.
Some are arguing the reluctance of Trump supporters in congress to agree funding for Ukraine mean they would not be supported under him.
Yet would Putin have risked his all-out attack with Trump in the White House?
Trump is a wild card, he might have done nothing, but he might have responded massively.
Think of Putin being advised this when deciding whether to invade, the words “respond massively” would have stuck, but it was never something Joe Biden would do.
Biden was Vice-President as Obama debated a military response to Putin’s Ally Assad using chemical weapons and agreed a motion, whereas Trump sent 59 Tomahawk Missiles.
Likewise Israel has no firmer ally than Trump, those in Tehran who condone and direct the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah, may find the impact is Americans electing the man most likely to unapologetically confront them.
READ MORE ON US ELECTION:
Keir Starmer may, to the shock of his left wing, find Trump a helpful ally in building up the UK’s trade and influence.
Trump sees the long-term threat of China, would put us “front of the line” for a trade deal and will push other NATO Members to pay their fair share.
A Harris win might make Labour's progressive hearts happy, but their fiscal heads would more appreciate the US economy being boosted and trade growing under Trump.
Trump may be brash and unconventional, yet he will be a friend the UK needs in the White House.
Find Out More...
Chatter at Islington dinner parties is about whether Trump, Farage or Boris is the one they would least like to encounter at their next soiree. Whilst in red wall pubs, many debate which one they most admire for standing up for themselves.
A US Election is a very different experience to one here. Big money, means big advertising campaigns. In key states, every ad break and social media outlet will be wall to wall political ads, making it impossible to ignore.
What should we make of it all in the UK?
First our views won’t decide the election. American voters react badly to foreign pressure, it’s their President they are choosing.
This was hilariously demonstrated back in 2004 when Guardian readers took it on themselves to send letters to voters in Clark County, Ohio backing John Kerry, resulting in a swing to George Bush.
Labour’s clumsy attempt to get their staff to work for Harris, will result in a boost for Trump’s campaign.
Second we don’t see this election as Americans do. Those looking in from abroad focus on values and foreign policy, yet for an American voter it's more about whether they can make rent, buy groceries, get their kids to college and feel safer in their community.
The Trump Campaign asking: “Do you feel better off now than you did four years ago?” targets these, not the points many political pundits or left-wingers fret about.
Third, just because you have heard of someone does not mean their endorsement will sway votes.
Back in 2016 many commentators fawned over a star-studded Hollywood gala celebrating “Madam President” Hilary Clinton.
Meanwhile, the BBC interviewed a food bank queue in West Virginia. They were voting for Trump.
Biden’s Presidency is ending with a whimper, it’s not just his debating performance being criticised, the state of the US Economy and the Southern Border (America’s version of the small boats crisis) are all pushing voters back to Trump.
Biden cannot point to foreign policy success either, with the shambolic US exit from Afghanistan reminiscent of the fall of Saigon, war escalating in the Middle East, China more powerful than ever and Putin having invaded Ukraine. All with Kamala Harris as his loyal Vice-President.
Some are arguing the reluctance of Trump supporters in congress to agree funding for Ukraine mean they would not be supported under him.
Yet would Putin have risked his all-out attack with Trump in the White House?
Trump is a wild card, he might have done nothing, but he might have responded massively.
Think of Putin being advised this when deciding whether to invade, the words “respond massively” would have stuck, but it was never something Joe Biden would do.
Biden was Vice-President as Obama debated a military response to Putin’s Ally Assad using chemical weapons and agreed a motion, whereas Trump sent 59 Tomahawk Missiles.
Likewise Israel has no firmer ally than Trump, those in Tehran who condone and direct the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah, may find the impact is Americans electing the man most likely to unapologetically confront them.
READ MORE ON US ELECTION:
- Martin Daubney asks for your views on Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris election ahead of live Q&A
- Elon Musk hailed as 'Pied Piper' of celebrities supporting Donald Trump
- Trump ‘won’t go after Britain’ despite Labour's election meddling
Keir Starmer may, to the shock of his left wing, find Trump a helpful ally in building up the UK’s trade and influence.
Trump sees the long-term threat of China, would put us “front of the line” for a trade deal and will push other NATO Members to pay their fair share.
A Harris win might make Labour's progressive hearts happy, but their fiscal heads would more appreciate the US economy being boosted and trade growing under Trump.
Trump may be brash and unconventional, yet he will be a friend the UK needs in the White House.
Find Out More...