Living overseas is interesting and gives a unique perspective on events in one’s home country. I’ve been in Thailand the past 2+ years, and have closely watched political events in America, obviously including this year’s Presidential race. America is my home. I can tell you almost nothing about politics in Thailand except that the country does have a king who is almost universally regarded as a doofus. But the government is basically “democratic.”
Regardless of that, living overseas does present the “forest and the trees” perspective, which may be good or bad. I can only read articles and watch videos, which gives me a “forest” view of the political scene. However, I’m not “on the ground” to view the individual trees and receive any “sense” or “feeling” of the mood of the country (one would probably have to travel around the nation a great deal to do that). There are advantages, I believe, to both viewpoints, but you’ll have to decide for yourself if there is any value to my commenting on the election from across the globe.
Being far away obviously limits one’s perception and personal experiences, but being too close to the action may warp one’s vision as well. If you are one of the people living in a city where Donald Trump has held a rally—and you almost surely attended—then no doubt you saw a huge crowd, tremendous excitement, and soaring emotions for the former President (at least, that is what I read about these rallies from Thailand, and I believe it). Getting swept up in the emotion can be a danger, though. “Wow! This is fantastic! Look at all this enthusiasm! And it’s happening at all of Trump’s rallies. Kamala’s rallies aren’t nearly as exciting, large, or generating such widespread fervor. Trump is surely going to win!” The trees, up close. I hope this opinion is the correct one.
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I was also overseas (in China) in 2020 during that election and heard a lot of the same sort of thing. Trump’s rallies were monstrous and fervent. Biden was sitting in his basement, and when he did venture out to do any sort of politicking, he drew maybe 10 or 15 people (including the media). All the excitement in 2020 looked to be on Trump’s side. But then, who could ever get excited about Joe Biden?
The polls in 2020 seemed to be in Biden’s favor, but most people are a little skeptical of the polls. They can be used—and often have been—not to measure public opinion but to try to shape it. In the current media climate, I am highly suspicious of polls. Still, as an election nears, pollsters try to become more accurate (some succeed, some don’t) because their livelihood depends on their precision. Still, I’m not a big believer in polls; the only one that matters is November 5. So, they don’t do much to form my opinion, from Thailand, of what the “forest” looks like. However, I don’t believe they are wildly (15 or 20 points) inaccurate.
Having laid the above groundwork, I want to say that, from what I read and watch in Thailand, Mr. Trump does appear to have some—though not overwhelming—momentum on his side. Conservative, pro-Trump pundits (who are among the trees in various parts of the country) are optimistic. At the same time, Leftist, pro-Kamala sycophants appear to be a little angry, distressed, and frustrated. The media can only cover up incompetence for so long; the truth has a way of coming out eventually. Harris (and Walz) are such inept, bumbling fools, and neither can open their mouths without saying something discombobulated or totally stupid. (Walz’s latest statement was that his mother has to wait for her Social Security check every month to feed herself. ??? The man has a net worth of over $1 million. But then, we know the Left hates the family, and apparently, even their own.) Trump has made a few mistakes (no campaign is perfect), but, by and large, I’ve been impressed with the campaign he has run. It’s been competent, balanced, pro-American, optimistic, enthusiastic, and exciting. As much as the Democratic media has tried—and oh, they have tried so hard—to make Kamala Harris out to be a genius and the second coming of the Mother of God, it appears to be slowly failing. Remember, before becoming the official nominee, this woman was less popular among the American people as Vice-President than Biden was as President. The media has had to do a complete makeover of Harris, but they can’t hide her completely. And the things that made her so disliked are increasingly being noticed by the American people.
I think Trump has, for the most part, done a competent job of hiding a lot of “personal” things that have caused people to dislike him in the past. Of course, he is mainly disliked because of what he stands for—America First. Never, never underestimate the number of people the Leftist education system has been able to convert to their viewpoint. That has always been my biggest concern in this election—are there enough decent, God-fearing, patriotic Americans left in the country to elect an America First candidate? Only November 5 will answer that question. Whatever you think of Donald Trump as a person, vote for America, please.
It does appear, from Thailand, that “mo” is on Trump’s side right now. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing. It may take a lot of “mo” to overcome what the Democrats have planned in this election. They will do anything they can get away with to win. I hope Republicans are ready for that.
The Deep State forces lined up against Mr. Trump are massive and powerful. The question is, can true Americans hold back that tide?
I have two substacks now: My main substack for “secular” articles/podcasts, mklewis929.substack.com, and my new Bible substack, mklbibless.substack.com. Check them both out. Follow me on “X”: @thailandmkl. Go back to a great age in American history and read my western novels, Whitewater , River Bend, Return to River Bend, and Allie’s Dilemma all available on Amazon.
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