US gears up for Clinton-Trump face-off

WASHINGTON: The US is gearing up for heated debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald J Trump this evening (Tuesday in Pakistan) in one of the most watched events in the history of the United States.An estimated 100 million people will be glued to the TV screens to hear the first head-to-head encounter between the two candidates in one of the most controversial and closely fought presidential elections. Recent polls have suggested that no candidate has clear edge over the other and experts believe the debate may tilt the balance decisively.

The previous record for presidential debate was 80 million audiences who watched Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan in 1980. From journalists to university professors and from restaurant workers to IT professionals, everyone here is expressing surprise at this unique election campaign.

“I have covered so many elections in my professional career but I have never seen a campaign like this,” said Daniel J Balz, Washington Post’s chief political correspondent. Balz has been reporting on US politics since 1978. He was speaking to this correspondent during a discussion on US elections. 

One of the largest newspapers of the United States, the New York Times has already endorsed Hillary Clinton for president and other major media outlets like the Washington Post and CNN are also taking a favourbale line towards the Democratic candidate in their editorial programmes.

However, this has not stopped support for Trump who is banking on support from conservative voters. 

“The elections are closer than anyone else is thinking outside the United States. Not only Republican candidate Donald Trump has support from his conservative base but also there are ‘closet racist’ who are not openly supporting Trump’s anti-immigration policies owing to social consequences but in reality they might end up voting for Trump,” said Dean of a famous Maryland based university also believed that the outcome of these elections is critical to US values and future of the country. While contacted by The News, State Senator from Maryland James Rosapepe termed this one of the most contentious election campaigns in recent history.

“We have a very big election this year. Very close and very consequential as the two candidates are very different in their vision and Trump even has disagreement with member of his own party,” he said. Rosapepe said the real election will be contested in six to nine swing states where the voters could go either way.

“Because of our electoral system other states are almost decided but swing states are critical,” he said. He said the first debate between two candidates is a big event.

“Because it is such a contentious campaign and both candidates are so well known, it would be one of the most watched debates in our history. It may turn out to be very exciting, educating and informative debate or it may just be same old same old. That’s what we are going to tune in and find out,” he said.