While the country deals with the fallout of the election, I just want to reflect on what a crazy election cycle this has been.
With two polarizing presidential candidates and an intense battle for the Republicans to keep hold of the Senate, this cycle has been a grind, to say the least.
Even at the time of the presidential primaries, both parties were in odd situations. The Republican field of 17 candidates, which included many very capable individuals, left us with Donald Trump as the nominee. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ power struggle between the Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton factions of the party left us with Clinton, the establishment choice.
With other extremely competitive races on the ground in Indiana, it has been an exciting cycle to watch and become involved in.
Although this is the first major cycle I’ve participated in, I can tell this has been very odd for a number of reasons.
It feels dirtier than usual. Any semblance of respect between candidates is gone, at least at the top of the ticket. With candidates trying to smear each other with nicknames such as “Crooked Hillary” or “Lyin’ Ted,” these insults strike a chord with the American public.
To that last point, the American electorate is increasingly angry at what is perceived to be the political establishment inside the beltway in Washington, D.C., that’s allowed the rise of Trump.
A showman and enigmatic figure to begin with, Trump has turned this cycle into a roller coaster.
On the other hand, Clinton has been mired in scandal. Between the Democratic National Convention leaks, speculation over the Clinton Foundation, Wikileaks releasing the Podesta emails and the email scandal, Clinton has survived an onslaught from outside parties, yet she still survived.
All of this has made this cycle new and exciting. It felt like every day there was something noteworthy happening in an important race.
It’s also utterly tiring. As someone involved in politics on campus, I have attended countless political or election-related events and spoken with many students.
Since I have been politically involved on campus, the election has dominated the news and captivated the interests of students around me. This election cycle afforded me so many wonderful opportunities and moments that I’ll never forget.
The fact that all of that hoopla finally culminated yesterday feels very weird and unbelievable to me.
Upon reflection, I would do this again in a heartbeat. The suspense of waiting for election results is not a feeling that will ever get old for me. It’s been a wild ride, for sure.
I hope ensuing elections are more civil, but this election cycle will have cataclysmic implications for the future of the country.
It’s been a crazy time for American politics, and we now must focus on moving forward, and doing so in a positive manner.
staranyi@indiana.edu
@TweetsByAranyi
