The US Presidential Election 2016

The election was significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, that the Donald Trump has never held elected office before, a first for a US President, and that Hillary Clinton was the first female presidential candidate. The election is also significant Trump’s victory occurred despite losing the popular vote to Clinton, and winning in the Electoral College.

The Democratic Campaign

Hillary Clinton was seen as the continuity candidate, who would take forward the work of Barack Obama and work towards the same goals. The centre of her campaign was an increase in incomes for the middle class, maintaining and improving Obamacare and following an ideology of inclusive capitalism.

The Republican Campaign

Trump’s campaign focussed around his status as a celebrity and media figure. His campaign platform was more Trump’s own than the Republican Party, with some saying it was a break from traditional conservatism. Trump also received a huge amount of free media attention, which political pundits have valued at $2billion. Trump promised an end to illegal immigration, the building of a wall across the border with Mexico, a ban of Muslims entering the US and American Jobs for Americans.

Other Events during the Campaign

There were perhaps two main other events that ran throughout the campaign. Firstly, is Hillary Clinton’s emails. Clinton was under investigation for her use of a private email server during her time as Secretary of State which some claimed was illegal and was subject to a Congressional Hearing and an investigation by the FBI. This ran throughout the campaign, and in late October, FBI Director, James Comey wrote to Congress to state that yet more emails were being reviewed.

The second major event was the continued negative press concerning Donald Trump, in October a recording of Donald Trump talking inappropriately about women surfaced. This was condemned by many senior Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan. Many Republicans also suggested that Trump step aside and be replaced by Mike Pence.

The Results

Votes:

Donald Trump: 62.9 million

Hillary Clinton: 65.8 million

Electoral College:

Donald Trump: 304

Hillary Clinton: 227