Have you heard of Benjamin Solomon Carson, Christopher James Christie, James Richard Perry, James Stuart Gilmore, John Ellis Bush, Michael Dale Huckabee, Piyush Jindal, Rafael Edward Cruz, Randal Howard Paul, and Richard John Santorum? Never heard of them. Surnames are familiar, not names. Don’t worry. These are Americans who are or were in race Republican nomination for American Presidential Election. They are better known by their pet names Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Rick Perry, Jim Gilmore, Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Rick Santorum. Other contestants are or were Donald John Trump, Carly Fiorina (born Cara Carleton Sneed), George Elmer Pataki, John Richard Kasich, Lindsey Olin Graham, Marco Antonio Rubio, and Scott Kevin Walker.
One fascinating thing about American Presidential Election is Election Day is Tuesday between 2nd and 8th November every fourth year. This year it is 8th November. Voting takes place on that day even if there is World War.
When the presidential contest began many presumed Jeb Bush will get Republican nomination and Hillary Clinton will get Democratic nomination. It was supposed to be a cakewalk for both them. Soon things turned out differently. Jeb Bush had many rivals who did better than him in polls. Bernie Sanders (Bernard Sanders) emerged a strong rival to Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton.
Donald Trump’s candidacy was first seen with amusement. Last time also he had announced his candidacy and had backed out after some days. This time it was different. There was disbelief when he was second in polls. When journalists asked him he said he was surprised why he was not first.
Carly Fiorina presented herself as rival to Hillary Clinton who wanted to be USA’s first woman president. For some time she did well in polls.
First Republican Presidential Debate was on Fox News. There were 17 candidates. They were split into two groups. Seven candidates who had lower ranking in polls were in a debate before prime time. Ten candidates who had higher ranking participated in prime time debate. Rick Perry was the first to drop out of contest. Gradually some others dropped out.
First Democratic Presidential Debate was on CNN. There were five candidates. Two of them dropped out after a few days. Martin Joseph O’Malley dropped out after Iowa Caucus.
Donald Trump dominated news. He did not worry about political correctness.
Donald Trump had problem with Megyn Kelly of Fox News and skipped one debate and held a Veteran programme. Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum attended Trump’s Veteran programme after finishing their debate. Ted Cruz was also angry with Fox News.
Many women above 30 want a woman president. Many women below 30 do not want Hillary Clinton as president. Madeleine Albright came in support of Hillary Clinton and said for women who do not help other women there is a place in hell. Someone countered it by saying there is a place in hell for women who vote for women just because they are women.
Among Republicans Ted Cruz was first in Iowa caucus, Donald Trump second, Marco Rubio third. Soon Ted Cruz was accused of fraud for sending forms about voter record and lying that Ben Carson had quit. Many said the contest in Republican Party was between two freshman senators and a reality TV star.
Among Democrats the contest was tough between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. For three seats winner was decided by toss and Hillary Clinton won all three. Result was Bernie Sanders 697 seats — 49.4%, Hillary Clinton 701 seats — 49.6%, Martin O’Malley 8 seats – .6%.
After Iowa caucus Martin O’Malley, Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum quit.
Donald Trump came first in New Hampshire primary. John Kasich coming second was a surprise. Ted Cruz was third. Jeb Bush was fourth. Marco Rubio was fifth.
Bernie Sanders got 60% votes, Hillary Clinton 38%.
After New Hampshire primary Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina quit.
Jeb Bush avoided mentioning his father George H. W. Bush and brother George W. Bush for a long time. He said he was his own man. After Iowa caucus and around the time of New Hampshire primary his mother Barbara Bush joined the campaign. Then George W. Bush joined and addressed meetings.
On 17/2/2016 Barack Obama spoke against Donald Trump. He said “They recognise that being a president is a serious job. It’s not hosting a talk show, or a reality show. It’s not promotion or marketing. The American people are sensible, ,and I think they will make a sensible choice in the end.” Jimmy Kimmel said “Excuse me. I host a talk show and it is a serious job. I hope he will say that to Oprah.” Trump hit back at Obama and said “This man has done a lousy job and set us back so far and for him to say that actually is a great compliment.”
On 18/2/2016 while on flight from Mexico to Rome one reporter asked Pope Francis about Donald Trump. Francis said “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, in not Christian.” Once asked about gays, Francis had said “Who am I to judge?” He was judging Donald Trump. Donald Trump said it was disgraceful for a religious leader to question someone’s religion or faith. He was proud to be a Christian. He further said “If and when the Vatican is attacked by the ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been president.” Mark Burns, a pastor and Trump supporter said, Vatican is surrounded by walls.
Another Trump supporter said there is nothing more Christian than building walls. After all Jesus Christ was a carpenter. Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio did not speak against Trump. Jeb Bush said he gets his spiritual guidance from pope, not political or economic guidance.
On 1/3/2016 21 states will have caucuses and primaries. Republican candidates, who are six now, may be reduced to two.
