THE 2016 United States’ (U.S.) presidential election is being viewed with anxiety and trepidation by many around the world. This cycle has not seen necessary reliance on debating the issues and presenting a plan to the electorate, more particularly by Republican contender Donald Trump. Instead, a reality-style television show approach to issues facing that society and the world are dominating coverage by the media, apparently more driven by ratings.
The U.S. is considered the world’s most powerful nation and whether Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton or Trump wins, he/she will be the most powerful political leader of the free world. Consequently, it cannot be over-emphasised how watched this election is by the free world and by oppressive societies. On Wednesday 7th September, NBC held a Commander-in-Chief Forum for Clinton and Trump. These are serious times and as was expected,there were thorough discussions on national security and the military, including issues such as terrorism, civil wars, and U.S. relations with countries and international organisations.
Moderator Matt Lauer thought it best to raise the emails controversy with Clinton, putting her on the defensive. This led to her oft-repeated claim that she did not transmit sensitive mail. This claim has been discredited by Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Director James Comey. At Comey’s July 5 press conference, he said a “very small number” of emails, sent and received over Clinton’s private server, “bore markings indicating the presence of classified information.”
When it was Trump’s turn he was asked about his admiration for Russia President Vladimir Putin and true to his personality, he did not disappoint. He gushingly spoke about Putin and his presidency based on a compliment he thinks was paid him. In December 2015, Putin was asked to weigh in on the U.S. election and candidates, and he referred to Trump as “brilliant.” Trump when asked by the media for a response to Putin’s view positively spoke of the latter on the unsubstantiated view that he was called a “genius.” FactCheck.org (6th May 2016), relying on interviews with Russian language experts has shown that though different meanings can be derived from the word “brilliant” and the context within which it was used, it does not mean genius.
In both Clinton and Trump’s cases, the media are acquainted with the truth, yet Lauer allowed the candidates to repeat their claims, unchallenged. Trump, evidently the consummate salesman, is revelling in the attention as the media seemingly are delighted with the audience he brings them. Putin’s ‘admiration’ for Trump’s ‘intellect’ is a big part of Trump’s foreign policy, if it can be so described. The countries’ Cold War history, Putin, a former agent of the KGB — considered the world’s largest spy and state-security machine — Russia’s less than subtle play under his leadership to carve out global positions of dominance as in Crimea, Georgia, and Syria, coupled with the allegation that the country aided persons in breaking into the Democratic National Convention’s database to aid Trump’s chance, being so central in U.S. politics, is bound to be seen as one of the greatest prizes in (inter)national security in recent times.
It is true the aforesaid is not lost on the Russian leader and also has an impact on his ego. In the said Fact Check article, updated 17th June, Reuters reported that in a speech in St. Petersburg, Russia, Putin on instant date, clarified “that he had only described Trump as ‘flamboyant,’ and added with a smile, ‘He is, isn’t he? I did not give any other assessment of him.’”
The importance of ego in politics is understood, given that it plays a role in wanting to be in that arena. Monday, 26th September is the first presidential debate. The world will be watching. Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd (8th September) said after listening to the Forum it “demonstrated…that both candidates have a lot of homework to do ahead of the debates.” Expectations will be harboured that the debates will be about truth and substantive issues. Equally expected is that the moderators would have done their homework and ensure the candidates treat the event with deserving seriousness. Hopefully with Lauer’s performance being the subject of criticisms from fellow journalists and pundits, a standard has been set of what to expect. A misplaced ego can be dangerous and the world is seeing glimpses of it.