Will the US elect a woman?

As a complete outsider I see two problems in the US election taking place later this week that not many seem to be talking about: first, that Americans, particularly staunch Republicans, have gone out of their way to vote against a woman and will continue to do so as long as they can—moreso, I daresay, than voting for Trump; and second, that Kamala Harris entered this race out of nowhere and largely because Joe Biden chose to drop out in the interest of his party. To the Democrats he understandably showed age but followed it up with a graceful acceptance of circumstances; to the Republicans he showed ‘weakness’ and we have seen them respond previously to such vulgar lines of thinking. To the Republicans, because Ms Harris took the President’s place as the Democratic contender, she carries the baggage of her and Mr Biden’s term in office as well as that of what they perceive to be their President’s shortcomings.

There is no doubt in my mind that for all that is good Kamala Harris should win this election. But the track record of US voters gives me next to no faith that they will elect the right person. Criticisms of Trump’s empty campaign venues and praises sung of celebrities showing support for Harris are both greatly exaggerated; for Democrats they offer a false hope and a nudge towards vainglory. Trump’s chances of winning this week, unfortunately, are more real than most Americans want to admit. The world, still recovering from everything Mr Trump did in his first term as the American President, is ill-equipped to handle four more years of his impertinence.