The US presidential election has now come and gone. While the official results are yet to be published as at the time of writing this piece, it is clear that November 5, 2024 is one for the history books for a number of reasons.
Former President Donald Trump is now president-elect of the United States of America. The Donald, as he is often called, broke the blue wall and recreated the performance that handed him the victory in 2016.
As he has demonstrated throughout his personal, business and political life, the man often called the “Comeback Kid” bounced back against all odds to win the US presidential election.
The electoral map was painted red in what Bahamians would call a “salami” reminiscent of the 2017 Bahamian general election.
In the aftermath of the US presidential election, the burning question within the Bahamian electorate is whether the fate of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is sealed for the next general election? Is this a sign of what to expect in our politics in 2026 or sooner?
Let’s take a quick look.
It’s still about the economy
Jim Carville, a political strategist in Bill Clinton’s campaign in 1992, has been credited with coining the term “it’s the economy, stupid”.
The 2024 US presidential election showed that the economy was the top issue for voters. Voters cared less about the declining inflation rate, unemployment numbers, jobs created and announcements painting a rosy economic picture.
It came down to how people felt about their personal circumstances, the cost of living and their ability to make ends meet with their limited income.
The contrast is glaring in the Bahamian context. Bahamians have been struggling and living from pay check to pay check in an economy in which people’s disposable income has not kept pace with rising costs.
The costs of basic necessities, gas, electricity, air freight fees, NIB contributions, government services, goods, medicines and services have skyrocketed under the PLP administration.
The situation was made worse by the PLP when it imposed 10 percent VAT on baby cereal, food, formula, bread, soup, butter, canned fish, cheese, milk, cooking oil, corned beef, flour, grits, mustard, detergent, rice, soap, tomato paste, medication and healthcare.
Despite acknowledging in its “Blueprint for Change” that inflation was a major issue, the Davis administration has failed woefully to tackle this matter and has instead pointed fingers while throwing its hands up in the air.
This failure has been further magnified by the extravagance, wastage and flamboyance of the government while the masses suffer.
Pandemic handling is a non-factorTrump was lambasted and heavily criticized for what was perceived as the botched handling of the COVID pandemic in the final years of his presidency.
While people understood that the pandemic was a once-in-a-century event, many blamed the president for his response and its impact on people’s lives as well as livelihoods.
It was widely believed that this factored into his defeat in the 2020 election and the negative sentiments held against him afterwards.
Four years after his ouster from the White House, voters’ thoughts on the COVID period under Trump seems to have faded into distant memory and was a non-factor in 2024.
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has made the handling of the COVID pandemic by the previous FNM administration a key part of their campaign for reelection, citing lockdowns and other drastic measures taken to save lives and livelihoods in extraordinary times.
This is a major mistake on their part as several Bahamians have admitted that in hindsight, they understood that tough decisions had to be made.
Furthermore, the Free National Movement (FNM) has already been punished for any perceived mismanagement of the pandemic in the 2021 general election with the lowest voter turnout in recent history.
Newsflash for the PLP: The handling of the COVID pandemic years ago will not be a factor in the next general election.
Tone deafness and disconnectionThe Democrats seem to have lost their connection to the plight of the average American.
They misread and miscalculated on the issues and pain points of the populace.
The US presidential election in 2024 was ultimately not about all the issues that the Democratic party brought to the fore and made the cornerstone of their campaign.
It wasn’t about women’s rights, abortion, freedom or the lack thereof. It wasn’t even really about Donald Trump or his shortcomings and outlandish rhetoric.
While there were issues such as immigration, national security and foreign policy on voters’ minds, it came down to people’s pockets and the Democrats missed the point because they were tone deaf.
They must now engage in some serious soul searching in order to chart the way forward.
The similarities between the Democratic party and the PLP are staggering.
Now in its fourth year in office, the PLP administration remains tone deaf and continues to have its priorities twisted.
Pindling’s party has lost its way and conscience; placing tears in eyes it was supposed to wipe.
The top priority of the government is climate change, which while important, is not paramount in the minds of Bahamians amidst crime, health and cost of living crises.
The multiple scandals, continuous spending without accountability on trips, consultants and luxury items while taxes and fees are increased on our people has voters waiting for the PLP at the polls.
Leadership deficitOver the last two years, there have been questions raised about the fitness and availability of the incumbent president of the US.
A new presidential candidate of the Democratic party emerged following what was deemed to be a poor debate performance by President Biden.
Vice President Harris was given a mammoth task to salvage the Democrats’ campaign in a number of weeks.
In the end, the challenges she faced proved to be insurmountable as she carried the burden of a president with plummeting approval ratings and an administration that was perceived to be underperforming on key issues.
On the home front, Davis has been branded as the prime minister who is never available or at home to attend to his duties.
The frequency of his foreign trips on taxpayers’ funds has led many to speculate about the vastness of his accumulated frequent flyer miles.
Then there have been numerous video clips of the PM taking naps at public events while some of his interviews have raised eyebrows.
Davis is no doubt the Bahamian Biden, albeit his political career and accomplishments pale in comparison to that of the US president.
Just like the Democratic arty, not even a switch in leadership or ticket is likely to save the PLP.
Influencers and votersThe Democrats ran a good and exciting campaign in 2024.
VP Harris brought energy to the race and formed a coalition that was impressive during her short campaign.
Her fundraising prowess was simply remarkable and there is no doubt that she worked hard.
Celebrities and influencers supported her campaign to the delight of supporters, but it was simply not enough.
The US election showed that the impact of celebrities or so-called influencers on elections is grossly overestimated.
Voters are not moved by perceived star power and will ultimately vote as they wish in their own best interest. Republicans and other voters showed up to have their voices heard.
In the lead up to the 2021 general election, the PLP engaged the services of local celebrities, media personalities and perceived influencers to help them achieve success.
Many of these individuals were rewarded with appointments and contracts once the PLP won the election.
Despite the elaborate campaign and use of the referenced individuals as mouthpieces of the PLP, only 65 percent of registered voters voted in the last general election.
Thirty-five percent of registered voters stayed home or just did not vote.
Thirty-four percent of registered voters voted for the PLP.
In essence, there were more voters that stayed home than those that voted for the PLP.
This ought to be instructive for the PLP in 2026; they should save their money or promises.
Tens of thousands of FNM and Bahamian voters who stayed home in 2021 will be motivated and will show up to vote based on their experience under the Davis administration when the general election is called.
Like we saw in the US, a “red salami” may be on the horizon.
This post was originally published on here
