With the presidential election only days away, I am not convinced that U.S. voters will select Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. Today, there are more email revelations and the FBI director James Comey is dancing around the question of whether to re-open Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email service which exposed U.S. classified documents. Now, some voters are taking a second look at Donald Trump.
But Wait! I have a confession to make: I voted for Richard Nixon when he ran for a second term in 1974. I didn’t like him, thought his character was malicious and had decided to vote for George McGovern –up to the moment when I entered the voting booth. Then, something happened.
I recalled that Nixon had helped establish U.S. relations with China which eased the way for United Nations recognition. How could the world have ignored one of the largest populations of any nation even if they were a Communist regime? This one fact urged me to reconsider my vote. McGovern was liberal, ethical and Catholic. But, what had he done? He did not seem to be unifier or a statesman while Nixon helped us establish strong ties to the Philippines and high regard in most of the countries of Europe. Yet, I felt Nixon was deceptive and a kind of guy I would not feel comfortable being around. He was creepy.
Nevertheless, I changed my vote from McGovern to Nixon when I walked into the booth. It felt something like buyer’s remorse. I had bought into McGovern’s anti-war, lets move this country forward appeal. But, I chucked him for a man who I knew was damaged but still acting like a good leader which brings me back to Hillary.
I intend to vote for Hillary Clinton because of her leadership experience and if the election were today I am sure I would but, I don’t trust her. I don’t like her, either.
I think a lot of people will just not get themselves to vote for Hillary and will vote for change, any kind of change.
The polls show Hillary Clinton still ahead of Donald Trump. But, I think often people are too embarrassed by the Donald’s buffoonery to admit that he’s more likeable than Hillary. So, they say that Hillary gets their vote but once that curtain is pulled who knows what people are actually going to do on election day. That includes me.