UAE's American expats all set to vote for their future

UAE supporters of opposing parties are doing last-ditch efforts to woo votes for their candidates.

In a few hours, Americans will decide who will be the 45th US president and the whole world is closely watching. After months of political battles, there is still no clear run-away winner in this election considered as one of the most consequential polls in the US history. The election mood has reached fever pitch and in the UAE, supporters of opposing parties are doing last-ditch efforts to woo votes for their candidates.
"There's a lot of excitement going around, especially over the last two weeks as issues like the FBI's reopening its investigation on Hillary Clinton's email scandal has closed the gap between her and Donald Trump," Joshua Atkinson, Dubai director of overseas Republicans-UAE, told Khaleej Times.
"Donald Trump is active on the campaign trail and crowds come in tens of thousands and this same mood reverberates here in Dubai," he added.
Despite consistently trailing in pre-election surveys, Atkinson is confident that Trump will eventually garner the majority of the 538 electoral votes needed to get into the White House.
But members of Democrats Abroad (DA)-UAE believe history is on their side and that Clinton will change the course of US politics by becoming the first woman commander-in-chief.
Orlando Vidal, DA chairman and Democratic national committee member, said: "We are on the verge of making history. Not only is Hillary among the most qualified candidates ever to run for president, but she is also the first woman to be the nominee of a major party. With what will hopefully be a well-deserved outcome, Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the first woman to enter the Oval Office. This is a long overdue milestone that will mark a new chapter in American history."
"Clinton has a more uniting approach in this deeply polarised election," added Julia Denis, press officer of DA-UAE.
"Trump, on the other hand, has alienated ethnic minorities, women, members of his campaign team and he has insulted the military with his comments on the Mosul siege - this is not the way a commander-in-chief can inspire his troops.
Meanwhile, an expat not aligned with either of the major US parties said he is most likely to vote for Clinton. "People will vote for Trump because he is attempting of bringing radical changes but I'm afraid of what will happen to the US if Trump became president," Jay Asser, an American journalist at a UAE-based sports daily told Khaleej Times.
"Despite Clinton having some red flags raised against her, these pale in comparison to the issues thrown against Trump," Asser said. "Trump has hurled disparaging remarks against women, immigrants and Muslims. Trump's red flags are far worse than Clinton's."
Asser, 25, who is exercising his right to vote for only the second time, added: "I would actually identify myself as leaning closer to Democrats. I voted for Barack Obama in 2012 and based on my brief voting history, I will go for another Democrat this time."
- angel@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Battle For White House