Article Summary
Becoming a U.S. president is a great professional and personal achievement for any American candidate. Most U.S. citizens are conscious of their civic rights and are included in most of the democratic processes such as voting. The article in discussion describes a presidential contest which factors in age and sexual orientation as main determinants of a presidential candidate. The article notes that most Americans have transformed their thinking patterns when selecting a suitable candidate for the U.S. presidency. Age and sexual orientation attract different voting audiences and may determine the outcome of a U.S. general elections.
According to Ipsos, Americans were willing to vote for a young candidate at the expense of a same-sex presidential candidate. This has been proven by the candidacy of Pete Buttigieg who supports gay marriages. The Indiana mayor, a Democrat, hopes to vie for the presidency after contesting against other 24 presidential hopefuls (Kahn np). Open gay marriages are condemned by the American public as evidenced in an ambush against the gay community in New York. Nonetheless, Ipsos notes that sexual orientation is no longer a factor of concern among American voters.
Analysis of Constitutional Issues
The element of age in a presidential candidate is crucial to American voters. Some individuals attach importance of age with professional experience. For instance, most Republicans favored President Trump for his professional experience as determined by his age. Now that he is turning 73, the question of age has been a contest or debate in his re-election quest for president. Democrat presidential hopefuls. Democrats are objective on the issue of age more than sexual orientation.
Same-sex marriage was banned across all 50 states in the U.S. by the Supreme Court. Presidential candidates are expected to exercise their constitutional rights irrespective of the sexual preference. Pete Buttigieg is a political leader who supports same-sex marriages. Ipsos notes that his candidature could change the voting patterns across the U.S. (Kahn np). Being a mayor of South Bend, Indiana, indicates that presidential contestants, who support same-sex marriage, could end up in the White House unpredictably. Ipsos notes that Joe Bidden, and other Democrats, could convince voters on the essence of age in voting during the primaries.
Analysis of Non-Government Linkage Institutions
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) is a movement of same-sex individuals who hope to achieve equal social status as other U.S. community members. LGBT was formed in 1990 and operates as a non-governmental organization which agitates for equal rights among same-sex partners (Coe, et al. 856). The beginning of the 21st century was critical in determining the social status of LGBT members. For instance, Ipsos notes that police officers once raided a gay restaurant attacking members and arresting individuals recklessly. The incident sparked debate across the globe in which countries either supported same-sex marriage or criminalized individuals.
Being a pro-NGO, LGBT membership entails supporting social equality and equity among same-sex marriage partners. For instance, the organization supports the democratic rights of the gay community including their voting rights. Traditionally, gay people would be discriminated against in public areas and social events in the U.S. However, the factor of age for a presidential candidate describes a major achievement for the LGBT community members who feel respected by the authorities. Voting Pete Buttigieg as a mayor is an indication that Americans are willing to support a presidential candidate from the LGBT community; as long as they are below a given age.
Analysis of Government Institutions
The U.S. Supreme Court is a vital governmental institution which determines electoral processes in America. The highest court in America can overturn a democratic decision such as presidential elections. The Supreme Court was responsible for ruling against the rights of the LGBT community across all states (Coe, et al. 858). Some states had condemned the vice of same-sex marriage and could report cases of harassment against gays in public. These activities attracted the attention of state and magistrate courts which solved the issue by banning all laws that worked against LGBT human rights.
The U.S. government recognizes political parties as vital institutions of democracy. As a result, it provides autonomous states for these parties to select their presidential candidate during party primaries. Pete Buttigieg is expected to engage other 23 candidates from the democrat’s wing (Kahn np). Political parties consult the federal constitutional body before and after the process. For instance, conducting party primaries for Republicans would be aided by officials from the Electoral College. These individuals determine the legitimacy of a selected candidate and the transparency of party primaries.
Impact on the President’s Legacy
Same-sex marriage and age could determine the legacy of a U.S. president. President Trump has not been vocal on the issue of same-sex marriage at a government level. However, he embraced the LGBT community during the U.S. General Elections of 2016 as a means of increasing votes. Similarly, former U.S. president (Barack Obama) had to convince the LGBT community of the protection of their rights to attract more votes during 2008. Same-sex marriage could affect the legacy of a U.S. president when analyzed from specific viewpoints. For instance, Pete Buttigieg – if elected president – could leave a legacy which promotes social bills into federal laws. The laws would indicate a legacy that improved human rights among LGBT community members.
Works Cited
Kahn, Chris. Age Matters More than Sexual Orientation to U.S. Presidential…12 June 2019,
www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lgbt-stonewall-poll/age-matters-more-than-sexual-orientation-to-u-s-presidential-voters-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKCN1TB145.
Coe, Kevin, Robert J. Bruce, and Chelsea L. Ratcliff. “Presidential communication about marginalized groups: Applying a new analytic framework in the context of the LGBT community.” Journal of Communication 67.6 (2017): 851-873.