The strong man is the strongest when he fights alone.
It is not over till it is over.
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
The best laid plans of men and mice go awry.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Donald John Trump won the Presidential contest against many unfavourable circumstances over a long period of time. His rival Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton had the support of many Republicans, film stars, newspapers and businessmen. Trump waged a lone battle.
When Trump began his campaign in June 2015 not many gave him a chance. In 2011 also he had thought of contesting Presidential election. This time among the candidates for Republican nomination, when his name appeared first in opinion polls, he was second. That was a surprise. When Trump was asked about it he said “Why am I not first?”
When Trump made his first speech as a candidate he attacked Mexicans. From then he dominated news. He said many things which many found outrageous. Many times journalists said Trump has gone too far. It is the end of his candidacy. Nothing of that sort happened.
Trump’s slogan was “Make America Great Again.” Hillary said America is great. We don’t have to make it great again.
Trump repeatedly said “The system is crooked and rigged.” That found resonance with many people.
After the Conventions the electoral fight was bitter and nasty. Trump fought the system, the establishment. People of Republican establishment were not happy with Trump and 50 of them supported Hillary.
Trump had India connection. Once in an interview he said “By the way, India is doing great.” It is said that he has construction projects in Bombay and Poona. Hindu Republicans supported Trump. The slogan was Ab ki baar, Trump Sarkar, copy of a slogan used by Modi in 2014. It was also copied by David Cameron in 2015. On 6 November 2016 he said American companies were moving jobs to India, China, Mexico and Singapore. Trump is said to have sued Kotak Mahindra Bank for their use of Kotak Trump Card and settled the case outside court.
Most polls for six months preceding election put Hillary ahead of Trump. Trump said the polls were rigged. Polls were wrong about Brexit.
Trump said media was against him. That was true to a great extent as 51 newspapers had endorsed Hillary and many TV journalists were against Trump. Trump at his speeches pointed at journalists against him.
Hillary had planned celebration at Javid Centre made of glass and steel, to show she has broken a glass ceiling. On 8 November 2016 after voting was over in New York her supporters gathered there. In initial stages of counting Hillary supporters were jubilant. As counting progressed Trump led in Electoral College votes. Many channels stopped counting Trump votes at 244. Fox News reported other victories of Trump. Around 2 a.m. Eastern time (12.30 p.m. IST) on 9 November 2016 John Podesta, Hillary’s campaign manager, took the stage at Javid Centre. He said Hillary has not done yet. He praised the supporters and wished them good night. At 1.03 p.m. Fox News reported Electoral College 276 votes for Trump. Trump had won the election and had become President-elect.
Pollsters have lost credibility. They were wrong about Brexit. They are wrong about Trump. Nathaniel (Nate) Read Silver in May had predicted Chicago Cubs victory and 8 days later Trump victory. He was right on both counts. If he changed his prediction about Trump later it was a big blow to his reputation. Sanjiv Rai of MogIA had predicted Trump victory. Recently LA Times had predicted Trump victory.
