November 8 dawned like a typical fall day on the shores of Lake Chapala. Under sunny skies, folks placidly went about their everyday business, showing no signs that a world scale political shakeup was brewing on the horizon.
As night fell, clouds gathered while around 300 eager Democrats arrived for an election night party at Ajijic’s Club Exotica. Their upbeat mood dissipated barely an hour into the event as a live CNN broadcast displayed on three giant screens showed troubling numbers as the vote count results trickled in.
“It’s looking very bad,” one of the nervous viewers remarked, taking a deep draw on a glass of beer.
A chorus of boos rang out when Wolf Blitzer announced “The Republicans will keep the House of Representatives.” There were hopeful cheers when Clinton took a short-lived lead in the electoral vote by winning in New York.
It was all downhill after that. Once a Trump victory was declared in the key states of Florida, Ohio and North Carolina, the crowd began to thin. By 9:30 p.m. the hall was only half full. A half hour later it was obvious that Hillary was doomed. Most of the chairs were empty, the tables littered with half-finished drinks and dregs of snack platters. No more than 30 diehards remained to await the denouement.
Adding to the desolate scene were a half-dozen abandoned Trump piñatas, brought in to be smashed in celebration of his anticipated defeat. A cluster of red, white and blue balloons hung up in the ceiling for a victory release never to happen.
Throughout the evening I had wandered among the anxious Democrats asking for comments and opinions on the news that was unfolding.
I’m still holding out hope, but I’m scared,” said a dual national in attendance. “A win for Trump will have a huge impact on the Mexican economy. I thought he was just dust in the wind, but look what’s happening!”
A life-long Republican confessed he couldn’t bring himself to vote for Trump. “You can’t run a country by dividing people,” he explained. “He has no experience and it turns out he’s not even a good businessman. He’s a liar and a cheat. He doesn’t know baloney about foreign affairs.”
Many Clinton supporters recognized that her rival had managed to play on widespread malaise concerning the country’s direction, the weak economy, the power elite, Washington gridlock, and deep-seated fears of the immigrant population. But they seemed mystified as to why their candidate had failed to transmit a strong enough message to bring out the vote.
As I departed, a light rain was falling, suggesting that the heavens over Mexico were weeping over what was transpiring north of the border. A thunderstorm broke out moments later as the Clinton debacle went from bad to worse.
Under ominous gray skies the following morning I trotted off to American Legion Post 7. It’s an ideal place to find people from both sides of the political fence, though political talk was essentially taboo during the bitter campaign season.
There I crossed paths with a vet named Harold. “I voted. I always do,” he remarked with pride. “I’m pleased with the results. We need some changes in our country. I think Trump can do that, if the Republicans will just get off their duffs.”
Marlene – a Canadian snowbird who frequents the Legion when in residence – took a dimmer view of the president-elect. “I don’t like his foul mouth and the way he runs women down. I’m flabbergasted that he won. He’s smart, I’ll give him that. But his posture on trade will harm Mexico.”
A group of ladies who voted for Clinton tried to make light of the election outcome. “I think I’ll stick a Canadian flag on my car,” said one. “I might start wearing a maple leaf tee-shirt,” replied her friend. “Well, I heard they’ve closed the Canadian border until 2020,” joked their companion, suggesting Mexico may turn into the choice destination for a mass exodus of disgruntled Democrats.
I decided not to bother the gentleman dressed in shirt emblazoned with a “Trump is #1” slogan who was deeply engaged in a poker game at a nearby table.
Later, Chapala Mayor Javier Degollado offered a comforting message to resident Americans who fear suffering repercussions from any anti-Mexico policies taken up by the new U.S. president.
“There’s no need for worry. Candidates make a lot campaigns promises that don’t fulfill once in office,” he explained. “I trust in the U.S. and Mexican governments to maintain good relations. And here we have an inclusive international community with a 120-year history of living together in harmony. That won’t change.”