The New Hampshire Presidential Primary took place last night, providing a key early look into the mindset of candidates and voters. The first true "voting" primary (Iowa already happened but it was a Caucus which is technically different) gave a better understanding of what issues voters care about and how this influences their decision on who to vote for.
The campaigns have covered a wide range of topics, but some issues of global importance are often left out of the conversation. Here's a look at some of the topics covered in the exit poll taken in New Hampshire last night, and also some of the issues that should be talked about more often. Because climate change, education, and global health are all major issues that the next President of the US, and voters, need to be talking about.
1) Gun control (or lack of control)
During the exit poll in New Hampshire, Democrats and Republicans were not asked if they support gun control. Instead they were just asked if they own a gun or not. It’s difficult to tell whether the results from this question indicate a voter’s view on gun control legislation. Gun violence is a major problem in the US compared to other developed countries.
2) Refugees
Republicans got pretty specific with immigration as a topic and made immigrants a major point of focus in the debates. Partly because of this, the majority of Republicans in New Hampshire mentioned some concerning views on Muslim migrants, and immigrants in general. But for Democrats immigration was less of a factor in their voting choice. Overall, the refugee crisis in Syria has been mentioned far less often than terrorism and illegal immigration. making the US public's view on this issue difficult to know.
3) Global Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Healthcare has not been a major issue area for Republican voters. It's been more of a factor for Democrats, who overwhelmingly prefer change from the current healthcare system to a single taxpayer-funded system that would support all Americans. This would be a big reform for Americans. With a system closer to universal healthcare, the US would no longer be an outlier among high-income countries. This would help prevent some of the 150 million people who are thrown into financial trouble and even poverty due to medical bills out of their own savings. Access to healthcare should be talked about on both sides during the election, as well as how all countries can achieve good health and wellbeing.
4) Global terrorism
Terrorism is a global issue, one that exit polls in New Hampshire showed was more of a major issue for Republicans than Democrats. Republicans were asked how concerned they were about a terrorist attack in the US and 90 percent of voters said they were very concerned. What voters were not asked is how concerned they are about attacks on a global scale or to what extent they think terrorism is a global problem.
5) Climate change
Democrats have focused more on debating the issue of climate change, but in the exit poll this global issue was not asked of voters on either side. With US President Obama’s recent setback to measures to combat climate change, let’s hope this global issue is asked both of voters and candidates more often. And let’s hope this is not still Trump’s response…
NBC News just called it the great freeze - coldest weather in years. Is our country still spending money on the GLOBAL WARMING HOAX?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2014
6) Education
While voters are asked the level of their education, it’s surprising that polls did not have more questions around college tuition and improving education in the US more generally, especially since it's become such a hot-button issue.
7) Gender inequality
Income inequality was a major issue area for Democrats, and less of a factor in voting for Republicans. However, both parties were concerned about the economy and jobs. The issue of gender inequality and the pay gap between genders has not been seen or heard from voters as much recently.
8) Clean water
After lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan, and now Ohio and other places, along with the severe drought that continues in California and other states, you might think the issue of access to water would be at the forefront. But it hasn't. Conserving water use, and providing clean water around the world will take leadership and proper water management from all countries. Did you know more than 2x the population of the US lives without clean water? This is an issue I’d like to hear more about from candidates.
Of course US domestic issues will get the spotlight in the US presidential election, but the US has a major role to play in making the world a more equal place and global issues should also be talked about. It’s up to global citizens to make sure these topics gain traction in the next few months.