UPDATE, OCT 21: Some more thoughts on Trump’s situation — following a 10th woman alleging sexual misconduct by the Republican candidate — in an interview with BBC Coventry on Thursday afternoon:

Listen to discussion

Could “shy voters” save Trump on November 8?

I wouldn’t rule that out entirely. That said, you just have to wonder — even with a “shy voter” — unless they are diehard Trump, can they really come out given the questions over his character, the questions over his reliability, and now a campgaign in which it’s Trump against everyone else.

There have to be a lot of shy people who are going to take all of that on board, and I’m just not sure that’s going to happen.

See also US Analysis: Your Essential Guide to the Presidential Election


Speaking with BBC outlets on Thursday, I assessed the final US Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

As with US media, the BBC saw the headline of the debate in Trump’s refusal to accept the result of the November 8 election — that is, if he loses — because of the “rigged” US system.

See also US Analysis: 3rd Trump-Clinton Debate — “Stick a Fork in The Donald. He’s Done.”

With that statement, the Republican nominee — actually, a nominee who is running without the support of the Republican establishment — may have sealed his electoral fate. But, in the discussions, I focused on the wider concern that the unprecedented remark raises about the state of American politics beyond the vote.

“He Won Over Few Undecided People Last Night”

Listen to BBC Radio Foyle

I’m getting tired of this with Trump. When he insults women, he’ll say, “Oh, I didn’t say that” or “It’s just a joke”. When he insulted Mexicans as “rapists” — “Oh, it’s just a joke”. When he insulted the parents of an American soldier killed in Iraq, “Oh, no, I didn’t really mean it that way.”

Look, you don’t run a series of jokes as a campaign for President, especially jokes that lead to division and hate. You don’t joke; you act Presidential. And this man, from Day 1 in the Republican primaries, has not acted that way.

“Yes, This is Very, Very Serious”

Listen to BBC Hereford

You need an American President, when we are in troubled times, who will listen to advisors, who will listen to other countries, and to be very deliberate about what happens. Trump is not that person….

Those Americans who support Trump — they’re not bad people. They’re angry, they’re fearful, they’re worried about what’s going to happen with their jobs and their communities. And Trump is exploiting that.

That’s going to have to be dealt with, even if Hillary Clinton wins the election on November 8.

“Trump Crossed a Line With Undecided Voters”

Listen to BBC Ulster

A 4-way conversation which also includes Northern Irish commentator Alex Kane; Bill Barnard of Democrats Abroad; and talk show host Charlie Wolf

Trump really undid himself with that one sentence that he will not accept the result of the election.

Whether they’re Republican or Democrat, most Americans take great pride in democracy, and they take great pride in the process.

By Trump effectively saying — even before a vote has been counted — “Oh, it’s all rigged against me. Everyone’s cheating me”, calling out an uprising when he loses on November 8, that’s going to cross a line. If not necessarily for his supporters, for those who were undecided about their vote.