Campbell's Commentary - ELECTIONS IN 2020. LET’S SUPER SIZE THEM ALL

By Aubrey Campbell

NEW YORK, NY. Tuesday, October 13, 2020 – At the time of writing, we are 16 days to go before Super Tuesday, so called because its about the USA. If the holding of presidential elections in these United States on the first Tuesday in November, every four years, is a ‘super’ event, then this one, in a matter of days, needs another ‘hook’.

If you ask me, it will be more than super. It needs a helping verb, something like ‘duper’, to give it that umph!

Super Duper Tuesday!

More than that, it could be one of the most defining periods in the storied history of this country. There is no debating that the immediate future of the country is riding on the 2020 presidential elections. And that’s why I am thankful that the second presidential debate was jettisoned and hopefully, the third and final one will go the same route as well.

Why do we need a debate?

As far as I can see, there is no middle ground. You are either for or against. At this stage of the game – because that’s what politics is – there should be no indecision.

Even if you want to disregard the tracing match between the two geriatrics, one, the Commander in Cheat and the other, the wannabee Commander in Chief, what happened on that first debate stage is worth revisiting.

Shit happened. And that’s why the fly was there when the understudies debated!

If you want to know that this administration is nothing short of excrement, you need not look further than the antics that played out on the stage in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It was there for all to see. Nothing fake!

Plain and simple. You either appreciate freedom and democracy and the rule of law or you love Donald Trump because he knows that you are from a shithole country and has no problem telling you to your face.

That makes him a facist, even if you are not!

Either way, your vote MATTERS!

Which leads me to item two on my agenda for today and that has to do with developments in the Caribbean region, inextricably linked to mainland USA, for all intents and purposes.

If I tell you that the political topography of the region is changing as fast as you can say COVID 19, believe me!

Get this. In the space or span – your choice – of eight days after the US Presidential elections, two islands will hold general elections to elect new governments, of course!

But why now and not later?

Well, friends, that’s not how politics work in the region where there is a constant craving for power, helped by the lack of term limits.

That’s the kind of lapse or absence of will that renders governments of the region useless, more often than not.

For example, on November 5, nationals of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) will go to the polls the elect a government for the next five-year term. The incumbent administration under Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has been in power since 2000!

At age 74 years, he and his Unity Labor Party (ULP), is looking for a fifth consecutive term and there’s no telling how the votes will be shared this time around. Of the fifteen (15) parliamentary seats contested in 2015, the good doctor won by a razor thin, one seat (8 – 7) majority.

Here again, and sadly so, the pandemic could be the game-changer as we have seen so many times since March!

Sagging political fortunes in Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, St. Kitts/Nevis, Jamaica and Suriname, were undoubtedly buoyed by the pandemic and how it was handled.

Challenger Dr. Godwin Friday is hoping and praying that voter apathy aside, November 5, will be his ‘Super Thursday’ when ‘Vincentians decide to go forward in another direction.

I did mention two territories holding general elections in a matter of days. The other is Belize and not much of a difference from SVG.

The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) is going for a fourth consecutive term, with a new face at the helm, in Patrick Faber, who was handed the reins of power by the beloved Dean Barrow, who has decided to walk off into the political sunset.

The UDP leadership is oozing confidence because like so many of the opposition forces, their fight has been stifled by the pandemic and the attendant protocols.

You and and I know that political fights in the Caribbean region is won/lost on the stage and in the open streets with amplified noise and nonsense booming from giant speaker boxes with constituents dancing up a storm!

The pandemic has put paid to those days.

Campaigning via social media is new with much of the messaging getting lost in the translation that is cyberspace!

Notwithstanding, elections are won on election day not before!

‘memba dat!

And a reminder to the husbands and significant others, take your wives to the doctor. Early detection is the best prevention. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

To those persons from the Diaspora that were presented with national honors by the government and people of Jamaica, on Monday, National Heroes Day, please accept our sincere congratulations!

You have the floor!

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Editor’s note. Aubrey Campbell is a career broadcast/Journalist and producer/host of Caribbean Conversation, a magazine program airing Sundays, 3 – 5 pm, on the IMC/Caribzone Media Network at; www.Facebook.com/caribzone.