Like any other election year, there are opinions flying around about the candidates and their parties.
It goes without saying that candidates who would have been run off the stage in previous years. Simultaneously beloved and loathed, they are the GOP’s two top candidates. Even worse, their divisive popularity is one of the only things that is certain about this election.
For the Democrats, the race is dream come true. The devastation caused by Donald Trump has distracted from the issues in the Democratic party. Whether the voters are for Hillary or Bernie, at least they are not Donald Trump or Ted Cruz.
It is also worth noting that the media has done virtually nothing to help the voter or the candidate. Rather, the media have been living it up. Websites have used SEO techniques to milk the campaign for stories. Although networks and anchors have not been spared from the chaos, journalists have reveled in the speculation inherent in the chaos. Of course, the board of directors do not mind either. The endless turmoil has so far brought in a flood of advertising dollars. The money will continue to rain as long as the chaos continues so there's no reason to encourage reason.
Thus, Americans are living in an election cycle where anything can happen. The days of asking of the big question – Democrat or Republican- seem like the distant past. Now, the question is, will GOP explode? If so, when will it happen? Will the media be able to catch the action on live TV? Or more importantly, will Donald Trump defy all the odds and become the next American president?
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to know the answers to these questions.
Right now, there are six different outcomes with the opportunity for only one possible choice. Despite heavy analysis, predicting an outcome is problematic. Nothing in this election has gone according to plan, at least, not for party leaders
But regardless of what happens, it is safe to say that change is coming.
The Republican reckoning should not be celebratory tale for the Democrats. Rather, it should be a cautionary one. Although Trump is drowning out much of the drama, the Democrats may already be headed for a split. It may not be as traumatic as the ones Republicans face. But if Democratic leaders fail to take notice, they could see themselves heading down the same path.
Perceptions of what it means to be a Republican vary wildly both in and out of the party and the chaos is beginning to leak over to the Democratic race. The Democrats can prevent a similar fate by learning from this and shoring up their image.
The party should take the opportunity to listen to the voters who are speaking for and against their candidates. Only honest communication can ensure that they are in touch with the voting electorate. It may be awkward and a little bit painful. But, it will never be as painful as the uncertainty the GOP is looking forward to in 2016.