Anyone up watching the election?

[anon4net]

Just that really...! Perhaps a bit more positive than admitting I feel ill about the possible results.

@iamtheblcksheep decent people want Trump to win? You honestly think Trump is a decent man? Seriously?

Roe V Wade was a court decision and set a Federel precedent. Overturning it meant states were free to make their own laws on abortion without fearing a court challenge on constitutional grounds. Gun laws are LAWS passed by Congress so it's a different process. Abortion rights were never in legislation. There's nothing Harris, as VP or President could do to change a supreme court decision, and rightly so if you accept the need for a judiciary that's separate to legislature. The problem is the bench appointments are affected by who is in the White House when vacancies occur.

Looks like Trump is going to win. America just isn't the country we think/hope it mostly is. Incredible to think Trump was nearly assassinated months ago and is now set to be president. Such drama. Only in America.

I'm up in the UK, up with a sick baby, so I've been watching most of the night!

I wonder if the Democrats think it was a mistake to let her take the candidacy unchallenged, even if it would have been a mess to have had a late contest? I wonder if she thinks it was a mistake to pick a running mate who doesn't deliver a key state for her?

Compared to Biden/Harris I think he’s mother freaking Teresa.

I know democrats can’t debate. They just say orange man bad but pick a topic, any topic and I will show you why Trump was better for not only the US but the world. Americans are scared. They’re broke, the street are full of immigrants (there have been some horrific crimes that could have been prevented e.g. Jocelyn Nungaray had the border not been a free for all) and all Kamala cares about is giving gender reassignment surgery to all convicts. Why has Trump won? I think it’s pretty obvious. He was always going to win. The media just tried to persuade you otherwise. It’s looking like he’s won Pen anyway so it’s over. Congratulations republicans.

Where do you get your news from?

Americans are definitely a terrified, paranoid people. It seems to be baked into their way of life so I can see why Trump appeals.

Reuters mainly.

@iamtheblcksheep yes the streets in the US are full of immigrants, that’s right. Because the whole country is made up of immigrants. Or are your family native Americans?

For a European like me it’s laughable when Americans talk about immigrants as if they were a different species. You are all immigrants!

When people say the streets are full of immigrants they mean they see brown people or people not speaking English. That’s racism pure and simple.

From what I've seen, Harris ran a campaign based on hope, compassion and unity while while Trump stirred up division, fear and hate. His approach is obviously more appealing.

Firstly I’m British but I went to school in North Carolina. Most of the friendships I retain from my college days are black and Asian. They have mostly voted for Trump. So stop with the white supremest angle that you’re heading towards.

You have perfectly paraphrased why Trump has won. People are concerned about immigration and the crimes the immigrants are committing. Your comeback is to scream racist. You got away with it for a bit but it doesn’t wash anymore.

There was actually an interesting comment from a Republican on the BBC. It was a civilised conversation between him and a Democrat - really refreshing.

He said that Americans are struggling with the effects of inflation and Biden’s approval figures are very low. In circumstances like that it’s unlikely that the sane government would be voted back in - and especially so as Harris was so closely connected to Biden.

I thought it was quite an astute and honest appraisal by a Republican. He admitted that lots of them aren’t comfortable with Trump’s rhetoric but do believe in his policies. He said it was always going to be very hard for Kamala to win because of the current state of the economy.

For me, the only way the democrats could have won would have been to get rid of Biden 2 years ago and for Michelle Obama to have been the candidate on the ticket. The Obamas resonate well with swing voters and are a throwback to a better time.

Even if we accept everything you said here as true, the issues many people have with Trump are due to his morals and character.

What he did on January 6th was unforgivable. He tried to undermine democracy by asking governors to “find” fictitious votes, and when he was thwarted he spread conspiracy rumours with absolutely no base that a percentage of his hardcore supporters now believe.

He’s been found guilty of sexual assault and felon offences, and has more trials lined up - which presumably now he’ll be able to wriggle out of.

The things he has said about people are utterly untrue, and just libellous. He says anything that comes into his head with no regard for whether it’s true.

I don’t have an issue with the Republicans. I have a big issue with Trump. The way he acts is shocking and I’m disappointed that the Republican party thought he was a suitable candidate.

So even if his policies are amazing (and I’m not saying they are), that doesn’t negate the very fundamental problems with having such a corrupt and immoral man as president.

I understand why people felt they couldn’t vote for the Democrats. I just wish Trump wasn’t their only other real option.

I think you’re probably bang on the money with this. I think Michelle is very electable with centrists and has conservative family values that appeal across the spectrum.

I’m left-leaning but I don’t love the current Dem policies. There’s a lot that isn’t working and/or I don’t agree with.

I just really have an issue with Trump, not the Republicans per se.

I’m left-leaning but I don’t love the current Dem policies. There’s a lot that isn’t working and/or I don’t agree with.

Out of interest, what are the policies you don't like? I mean, one or two examples.

I'm not American so don't know Democrat policies.

But people don’t care what he does in the bedroom and there is reasonable evidence of significant voter fraud at the 2020 election. Sufficient enough that the majority of people are willing to give him the benefit of doubt.

They care about how much money they have in their pockets and that their children are safe. That is it. I know this is a really difficult thing for people here to understand but the US is very different to the UK.

As a conservative Im glad he’s won. Am I thrilled it’s him, no I’m not but it is better than the alternative.

Just woken up, as a Brit I think this result is quite scary. He’s a dangerous man. I think the Republican Party are going to regret letting him in. I hope the people around him are good. I hope the US systems keep him in check.

She was an average candidate at best, but I don’t think you can underestimate the damage sticking with a clearly senile Biden did the past year or two. It allowed Trump to gain firm centre stage and appear like the “competent” candidate. Biden clung on for far too long. It’s on the Democrats really (as was 2016).

reasonable evidence of significant voter fraud at the 2020 election

It was all rumours and speculation put about by a man who can't stand to lose.

Ha this made me laugh. So true.

Why do people keep saying Michelle Obama? She's not a politician and never have been. I want to know why the democrats cannot find any credible candidates in their whole party? I'm not familiar enough with the personalities to offer a view but it's just bizarre.

The Obamas have been notoriously absent from this campaign. I think I’ve seen Barack once. They know what an absolute mess the Democratic Party are. They are keeping their distance so she can run at a later date without association.

@iamtheblcksheep
I get that the US and UK are culturally very different but how do voters square the circle with (according to you) prioritising their kids safety while simultaneously backing a political/social environment which creates 3000+ annual deaths of children from guns. In no other country are guns in the top four related causes of child mortality.

If Trump has shown one thing it’s that “left field” candidates are absolutely fine. People want to vote for people who are personally (high profile) successful/rich and have charisma. Being out of “the system” is a bonus if anything. And intelligence and competence etc are subjective where politics is concerned.