Election Day

Alessandro Esquivel, Co-Copy Editor

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Donald Trump became President-elect of the United States of America, defeating Hillary Rodham Clinton with a current count of 306 electoral votes to her 232.

 

The results shocked millions nationwide because the forecast by pollsters was decidedly in Clinton’s favor. A miscalculation of this magnitude calls to mind the historic Literary Digest 1936 poll blunder.

 

Upon hearing the results, Donald Trump took the stand to give his victory speech in New York City. Standing to his right were Vice President-elect Mike Pence and family; and to his left were his family. A smile came across Trump’s face as he spoke his initial few words, “Sorry to keep you waiting, complicated business, complicated.”

 

Yes, this election was complicated business, and the results proved to be even more complicated.

 

The Republican Party gained a majority in both houses of Congress, and with the seating of a Republican president, the unified government could spell an end to President Barack Obama’s achievements. President Obama and the GOP have often clashed and bickered over policy and reforms, both domestic and foreign.

 

Transitioning from one president to another is complicated moreso by the fact that Donald Trump will need to decide White House Staff members, compile executive appointments, consider Supreme Court appointees, amass a repertoire of political strategies and incisive goals, and dutifully carry out his role as the leader of the most powerful nation in the world.

 

Those are just a few of the constitutional and provisional duties a president must perform, countless others exist. Can a billionaire and Reality-TV star measure up to the task?

 

The years following Inauguration Day will either weaken or strengthen the economy, endanger or protect national security, better or worsen foreign affairs and last but not least, impede or secure the rights of minorities and underprivileged.

 

The fate of the USA and perhaps the world rests on Trump’s shoulders, the heavy load is now his to carry. Donald Trump is going to work harder than he ever has before for the next four years, and all of America should wish for the best.