are the states united
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Are the States united?

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

are the states united

Osman Mirghani

Four years ago, when Barack Obama was elected as the first African-American US president, the overwhelming atmosphere was one of joy coupled with great hope, not just inside America but around the entire world. The slogan of change struck a chord to the point that everybody expected Obama’s entry to the White House would begin a new stage characterized by hope. For in America, many people were dreaming that their country had turned a page on the painful past, and begun to heal its deep wounds to become more united and harmonious. This optimism was also reflected on the US economy which was exiting years of crisis towards recovery. As for externally, hopes were raised that Obama’s election would see the world move towards a better stage in terms of cooperation and calm after a decade of tension and war that characterized George W. Bush’s years at the White House, particularly since the 9/11 attacks that changed much in the course of America and the world. All opinion polls published at the time reflect this sentiment. In a poll conducted by Gallup for USA Today, 67 percent of Americans said that they felt optimistic and happy following Obama’s election. Whilst in another poll, America’s CBS television channel reported that 71 percent of Americans had expressed their optimism regarding the next 4 year. In addition to this, 70 percent of those polled by Gallup said that they thought that race relations would be better as a result of Obama’s election, particularly in terms of what this meant for America’s minorities and the racial mix of America’s society from different races and religions. However as the wind blows counter to the ship’s desire, so the 2012 elections took place in an atmosphere as far removed as possible from the spirit of hope and optimism that followed the 2008 elections, whether domestically or internationally. The dreams of hope faded to be replaced by fears and concerns regarding the consequences of the economic crises and political tensions in many parts of the world, to the point that 72 percent of Americans said that they believe that their country will be a party in an external conflict or war during the next 4 years. The 2012 elections shed light on something else that deserves contemplation, namely that America is deeply divided, even if its internal demographics are quickly changing, with everything that this implies for the social and political situation. Obama won with the support of black and Latino voters, not to mention women and the youth, whilst Romney’s primary supporters were white, particularly senior citizens and those living in rural areas. These considerations will play a major role in the future choices and campaigns of the Republican and Democratic parties. For the Latino (or Hispanic) community is considered the fastest-growing demographic group in the US, overtaking the African-American community in this regard, at a time when the proportion of white voters is decreasing on a yearly basis. Just twenty years ago, whites made up 90 percent of the recorded electorate in the US, however this figure has decreased to 74 percent in the 2008 elections, decreasing even further to 70 percent in 2012. Many analysts believe that this demographic change will have the greatest impact on the Republican Party which will result in a complete review of its electoral strategy to compete with the Democrats for the minority votes, particularly the Hispanics. However the image is not this simple because Obama also won thanks to strong support from women, as he won 55 percent of women’s votes in comparison to 44 percent who voted for Romney. This is something that could strengthen Hillary Clinton’s chances, as all signs indicate that she has begun her preparations to contest the 2016 presidential elections, particularly as women are more likely to vote than men, according to the electoral process over the past years. Obama also heavily won the youth vote, with 60 percent of those aged between 18 and 29 voting for him, in comparison to just 37 percent who voted for Romney. Even amongst the 30 – 44 year olds, 52 percent of them voted in favor of Obama, which is extremely important in a society whose young population is on the rise and whose elderly population is declining, although polls also indicated that the majority of America’s senior citizens voted for Romney and the Republicans. America’s biggest problem appears when one contemplates the distribution of votes between Obama and Romney according to racial lines; 59 percent of whites voted for Romney in comparison to 39 percent for Obama, whilst 93 percent of the black vote went to Obama compared to just 6 percent for Romney. As for the Hispanic or Latino community, 73 percent voted for Obama in comparison to just 26 percent for Romney. It is also true that Romney critically hurt himself when he provoked a large proportion of America’s poor, not to mention black and Latino communities, in some of his statements and comments, particularly his famous statement in which he said that 47 percent of American people – who will vote for Obama no matter what – do not pay taxes, consider themselves victims and rely on government support. He added that his job is not to worry about this 47 percent. However these statements ultimately blinded Romney and reinforced his image as a rich white man who does not care about minorities or understand the suffering of the poor; although in reality this did not significantly change the way that the minorities voted, at least in this election. America may have re-elected Obama in spite of the ongoing economic crisis which has strongly affected its position; however it did not emerge from these elections in a unified or optimistic manner, rather these results confirmed that the country is witnessing deep divisions below the surface. These are divisions that will have a clear impact on the American political makeup and approach in the forthcoming years. --- The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.  

GMT 17:34 2018 Thursday ,30 August

Can people be religious without being rigid?

GMT 17:17 2018 Thursday ,30 August

Turkey-US differences should not be allowed

GMT 15:35 2018 Wednesday ,29 August

Could EU recession lead to more protectionism?

GMT 15:24 2018 Wednesday ,29 August

We must remember the two sides of John McCain

GMT 15:14 2018 Wednesday ,29 August

The Putin Method: All Nice And Legal

GMT 14:47 2018 Wednesday ,29 August

The clear choices facing Iran

GMT 14:18 2018 Wednesday ,29 August

The Helsinki irony: When Trump and Assad both win

GMT 14:10 2018 Wednesday ,29 August

Between forming a cabinet and collapse in Lebanon

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

are the states united are the states united

 



GMT 07:24 2017 Thursday ,09 February

Drugmaker Teva says Israel probing kickback allegations

GMT 18:19 2012 Friday ,18 May

Hot weather to continue during weekend in UAE

GMT 03:34 2012 Saturday ,08 September

Mitsubishi motors’ outlander phev

GMT 15:20 2017 Saturday ,09 September

'Monster' Irma roars towards Florida

GMT 19:27 2015 Thursday ,01 October

Double Dutch barred in Amsterdam brothels

GMT 09:12 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Joy and hope in Liberia as George Weah sworn in

GMT 16:07 2016 Wednesday ,10 August

Rousseff impeachment in focus

GMT 12:49 2018 Thursday ,11 January

Macron urges European unity

GMT 15:16 2016 Wednesday ,08 June

EU Presents new aid to stop African Migrants influx

GMT 10:51 2017 Wednesday ,24 May

ADEC suspends registration of new students

GMT 19:19 2016 Thursday ,22 December

Lebanon the ‘post-Aleppo’ government

GMT 06:47 2018 Thursday ,04 January

Norway suspends arms exports to UAE over Yemen war

GMT 06:38 2017 Tuesday ,21 November

Putin and Assad met in Sochi

GMT 05:27 2017 Monday ,14 August

TRA to host 75th RIPE meeting in October
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice