US polls: Republican expats in UAE elated

Dubai - Others feel the GOP winner will not make a difference

With smiles and congratulatory statements, the Republican Party in Dubai said Donald Trump will unify America.
Joshua Atkinson, Dubai Director of Republicans Overseas in the UAE, said victory was expected. "I thought results will be a little tighter, but there has been positive momentum around Trump because he represented Americans who want change."
According to Atkinson, the Democrats ignored the hard-working middle class, whereas Trump picked the right issues and promised to be a president for all Americans. "He will focus on bringing all parties together and build ties within the US across racial and ethnic differences. He will get people to work together for a better ?future."
On Trump's rude statements, Atkinson said, "His claims were not constantly negative. A large number of Hispanics voted for him because they agree that illegal immigrants and criminals should be out of America."
Defending Trump, Atkinson also said the President-elect has high regard for women; he in fact employs a number of women in key positions in his administration. "While Clinton could not motivate people to vote for her, Trump was real and promised to re-energise the economy."
Dr Steven Anderson, Chairman of Republicans Overseas in the UAE, attributes Trump's win to the right set of issues highlighted during the campaign. People in the US, especially in rural and small towns, want their economic grievances addressed and pine for a political change. "He addressed the anti-establishments and brought them into the election process. He said everything a republican would want to hear, especially regarding having a lead tax system."
For Anderson, Trump tapped into strong anti-establishment, anti-government feelings, particularly among conservative Republicans. He added the property tycoon addressed social issues, such as paternity leave, that touched upon everyone. "He will have the right advisors who will work in unifying America," said Anderson.
Status quo?
For other UAE expats following the spectacle, Trump's elevation will not change anything as they believe the foreign policies of both presidential candidates are similar, but the Republican is more vocal about his policies.
Cedric Glogg, a French expat, said the verdict does not reflect well on Americans. "While he might not do what he said, being elected after his "wrong stand on women, immigration and Muslims is disappointing,'' he said. "Politics being politics, there's a big difference between what you say to be elected and what you end up doing. Both parties are not different from one another, but his hate is dangerous."
Egyptian expat Mariam El Sayed, said the difference between Clinton and Trump is that the latter says out loud his "vicious plans unlike other politicians who keep you game."
"The disturbing thing is, people knew his vicious plans and still opted for him. I don't feel bad for those who chose him, I feel bad for who didn't."
For Filipino expat Alan Bacason, the elections may bring about better Philippines-US relations. "Filipinos elected a so-called 'Dirty Harry' - President Duterte - and the Americans followed suit by choosing Trump. Both citizens have had enough of conventional politics in their respective countries. Change has come."
Another Filipino expat Milo Torres said the world will take an ''uncertain path''. "It will be interesting to watch two illogical presidents interacting with each other."
John Kelly, an American expat who has been in UAE for three years called the results "shocking.People thought Clinton will win by large margin, so a percentage of Americans didn't go out to vote. Maybe it would have swung things but it does not matter now."
Kelly said he believes most of the things Trump said was to get himself elected.
"It does not necessarily mean he will do what he says," said Kelly.
His colleague Nic Stasiuk said while the majority of votes went to Trump, he still finds it surprising how the businessman got elected. "I think he was elected by people who aren't happy with the Clintons in general. A big turnout of votes were from white American men, people who haven't voted in a long time and people that are fed up with the way that Washington is running right now."
Both Americans said the choice of the majority should be respected. "We will wake up tomorrow and life will move on. Hopefully he will do good things for the country and the world," said Stasiuk.
Victoria Amador, another American expat, said, "I am very frightened, very gutted and ashamed.
- with inputs from Angel Tesorero
- sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Battle For White House