Democracy is messy, US Embassy

However US Embassy Public Affairs Officer Stephen Weeks believes there isn’t much to worry about, and Trump was just an example of the “messy” side of democracy.

Donald Trump entered uncharted territory in the last United States Presidential debate when asked by moderator Chris Wallace whether he would concede defeat to his opponent Hilary Clinton, he said, “I will keep you in suspense.” In the first debate, Trump said that he would concede, but his change of opinion appeared to have followed a decrease in his popularity after more and more women claimed to have been sexually assaulted by him. Some political commentators were appalled by his statements because, they say, it flew in the face of a long held US tradition that was a symbol of democracy.

To this, Weeks said, “Democracy is messy, democracy is loud, democracy is unkind.” He was speaking to organisers and delegates at the launch of the Model United Nations last Saturday.

“People say things that they regret; or they should regret.” Weeks was responding to statements made by College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago President, Dr Gillian Paul made earlier in the programme.

Weeks said he trusts that the United States’ 240 years of history would save them from anything disastrous.

“The people will make their decision, there will be a peaceful transition of power, there might be claims of voter fraud or whatever, but we have seen through 240 years.

“We’ve actually had presidential elections that were much worse if you look back at the 19th century.” Weeks then conceded to Paul that she was right about the need for improvement. “I do think that’s the whole point, but this is something that we need to work on.”