In the brilliant light of this perfect fall day in Berlin it makes more sense. Two weeks ago I was explaining to a German friend why Hillary Clinton was assured a victory in our upcoming presidential election. She was more qualified, she had a coalition that included all the groups Donald Trump had personally insulted, her email "scandal" was overblown and didn't resonate with a majority of Americans. He listened politely, then said, "No, Trump will win. He is a showman. You know, the glitz. That's what America is all about."
The sun right now out my window this morning after the election is as brilliant as a klieg light, and I realize that of course my German friend was correct. To wit:
1. Reality TV is more fun than reality. America votes for fun, every time.
2. Melania is glamorous. Bill looks terrible these days.
3. It's really tough for a party to win three terms in a row. America's attention span is too short for that.
4. America remains proudly anti-intellectual. Trump comfortably speaks that language of conspiracy theory and willful ignorance.
5. It's easier to drive home and make stick one "scandal" (emails) than 100 scandals.
6. Trump says he's a multi-billionaire. Money is the final value that matters in America, now and forever, amen.
I was absolutely wrong about this election, partly because I couldn't see my own country and its values, or lack of values, as clearly as an outsider like my German friend could.
He added one more thought, after stating unequivocally that Donald Trump would be America's next president: "You won't have to worry about him. Your country's system of checks and balances will keep him in line."
One hopes he's right on that one, too.
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