In Clinton’s favour

One facetious commentator described the US presidential election as a circus where a clown gets elected.

This is a harsh and unfair description of the US presidential elections, but from the look of things surrounding the 2016 US presidential election, one may still get the wrong impression about the manner competitors are gearing up for the final battle.

The outspoken and unrehearsed observations of front-runner Republican candidate Donald Trump at political rallies could give the impression that the US election has indeed become a theatrical performance, with more importance placed on form than on substance.

The contest among Democratic Party candidates appears more discreet and correct, especially because their number is limited to three for the time being, whereas the Republican ticket is overcrowded, with 17 contenders joining the race.

The spectacle of the race for the White House started much too early by international standards.

President Barack Obama still has one year and a half in the office, so many commentators wonder why the US rushes so early into a race that could end up being too costly and not decided, necessarily, on merits.

It is still early to say who is going to make it to the finishing line. From the look of things, so far, on the Democrats’ side Hillary Clinton remains the front runner despite all the noise being made about her e-mails.

What still words against her is her inability to “fire up” people due to her low-key approach to national and international issues.

Senator Bernie Sanders stands next in line on the Democratic side, but his chances do not seem great since he is too far to the left and the majority of Americans appear to hold centrist and moderate positions regarding US policies.

I believe Sanders is only a passing distraction rather than a real game changer.

Next in line on the Democratic side could be Vice President Joe Biden who is lurking in the back, ready to jump in at a minute’s notice.

Obama seems to give Biden his blessing.

It appears a score is still to be settled between Clinton and Obama; it dates back to 2008 when the two competed for the White House. That contest must have left some wounds that still persist, despite Clinton’s protestations to the contrary.

Biden, however, may not turn out to be a heavyweight contender; he is more of a carbon copy of Obama and most Americans want a change.

Besides, there is now a rally for electing a woman as the next US president.

In the Republican camp, Jeb Bush appears to be the real front runner even though the ongoing “show” puts Trump as the front runner.

Bush’s statements and comments are measured and temperate, unlike Trump’s, which seem to be those of a loose cannon.

Trump may indeed win the Republican primary since he is far ahead in polls so far, but at national level he is sure to lose, having alienated the Hispanics by talking about building a wall to prevent Latin Americans from entering the US.

He is also sure to lose the support of African Americans, so for now, the race for the White House could be said to be between Clinton and Bush, with the odds heavily in Clinton’s favour.