Fergus Sweeney has spent the last few weeks in the United States. Now he has sent his impressions of the US presidential election from California to the Vienna district newspaper. An exclusive report.
A dinosaur walks across the crosswalk at an intersection in Beverly Hills. In his hand is a hand-painted sign that reads “Dinos for Harris.” It is one of thousands of election advertisements that one encounters in the days before the crucial presidential election. Street signs, TV spots, radio discussions. Everything revolves around the election with two candidates from opposite sides.
Second choice against “The Donald”
Kamala Harris, a lawyer from modest backgrounds, was chosen as vice president as the Democrats’ top candidate instead of incumbent Joe Biden just a few months before the election. On the other hand, Donald Trump, scion of a wealthy real estate family, polarizing and famous as a TV entertainer before he surprisingly became president for the first time in 2016.
Other impressions from California
Just days before the election, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series, baseball’s most important title. 250,000 people leave work on a Friday and celebrate the athletes in a magnificent parade in front of the city hall in Los Angeles. No matter who you talk to, people in the entertainment industry, Uber drivers or waiters, the overwhelming majority are keeping their fingers crossed for Harris.
Disillusionment on election night
The polls predict a close race. The first female president of the USA seems possible. Then on election night there was disillusionment. Trump wins the crucial battleground states and the majority of votes across the country. With far-reaching consequences for the USA and the rest of the world.
Fergus Sweeney is the owner of the storytelling agency Purple Coulee.
The long-time WBB editor was in Los Angeles around the election.
