October Surprise
It's still October. For those who follow the election of 2016, the month will be remembered as the time when American voters learned that the lurid details of Donald Trump's twisted libido were more important to the electoral discussion than the candidates' positions on a few minor considerations such as: the economy, jobs, the ongoing war in the Middle East, climate change, immigration, energy, domestic and foreign terrorism, trade, healthcare, education funding, tax policy, minimum wage, the budget deficit, and so on.
Yet, it's still October and anything could happen. Now, most of the country is familiar with the term "October Surprise." It refers to a potentially damaging news event or piece of controversial information that is deliberately timed for public release close to election day in order to scuttle an adversary's candidacy. The Surprise is a well-worn tradition in the circus of American politics. A noted example in the race for president is George W. Bush's 1976 citation for drunk driving that was made public right before the 2000 presidential contest.
So far, both Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's campaigns have been targeted with unsuccessful October Surprise attempts: WikiLeaks release of additional pirated emails directed toward Hillary, and the exposure of Donald Trump's inappropriate sexual behavior and abuse of women. Though certainly troublesome in regards to her reputation of being untrustworthy, Ms Clinton's October email problem will not prove to be the defining element of her successful campaign. Mr. Trump's behavioral problems, on the other hand, will almost certainly be the dominant factor in his defeat. It is sobering to consider that when the history of 2016 is written, the crucial determinant in the race for president will be the banter exchanged by two idiots in an Access Hollywood van.
Unless Mr. Putin decides to move into the Ukraine, the likelihood of more significant unexpected news diminishes, except in one area: terrorism. Though it's still October, we would do well to remember that there are those dedicated to see the 2016 presidential contest derailed. All it takes is another lunatic with a pressure cooker.
Yet, it's still October and anything could happen. Now, most of the country is familiar with the term "October Surprise." It refers to a potentially damaging news event or piece of controversial information that is deliberately timed for public release close to election day in order to scuttle an adversary's candidacy. The Surprise is a well-worn tradition in the circus of American politics. A noted example in the race for president is George W. Bush's 1976 citation for drunk driving that was made public right before the 2000 presidential contest.
So far, both Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's campaigns have been targeted with unsuccessful October Surprise attempts: WikiLeaks release of additional pirated emails directed toward Hillary, and the exposure of Donald Trump's inappropriate sexual behavior and abuse of women. Though certainly troublesome in regards to her reputation of being untrustworthy, Ms Clinton's October email problem will not prove to be the defining element of her successful campaign. Mr. Trump's behavioral problems, on the other hand, will almost certainly be the dominant factor in his defeat. It is sobering to consider that when the history of 2016 is written, the crucial determinant in the race for president will be the banter exchanged by two idiots in an Access Hollywood van.
Unless Mr. Putin decides to move into the Ukraine, the likelihood of more significant unexpected news diminishes, except in one area: terrorism. Though it's still October, we would do well to remember that there are those dedicated to see the 2016 presidential contest derailed. All it takes is another lunatic with a pressure cooker.
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