"Predicting elections is an absolute mug's game"
Channel 4’s US election coverage will include Boris Johnson and Stormy Daniels – but it’s not a stunt…
Channel 4
- Robin Parker
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Why should Brits stay up to watch the US election?
It’s such high stakes. There are two major wars going on, one in Europe, one in the Middle East, and America’s role in both is absolutely pivotal. A lot of people thought the American experiment with Trump was over, and it clearly wasn’t – and with Kamala Harris taking over from Joe Biden, it’s not the election we at first thought it was going to be.
Is America prepared for either outcome?
Both candidates are quite unpredictable. Trump will not be the same President as last time, and Harris is relatively unknown. I don’t think anybody has a very firm handle on who they are and what they will be like in office.
One of your guests on election night is Boris Johnson. Why?
Boris couldn’t be a more pertinent guest. It’s clear, watching his promotional book tour, he thinks he can come back. He’s looking at Trump and trying to learn from him. But don’t be sidetracked into thinking this is a night with Boris Johnson. He’s going to make an appearance, we’ll have a conversation and then we’ll move on.
You’ve also got former adult film star Stormy Daniels, who was at the centre of Trump’s hush-money trial, and TV personality Caitlyn Jenner. Are these stunt bookings?
Not at all. They’re a really important part of the story of how America has got to this point. Daniels and Jenner will help us understand why America is so polarised.
Donald Trump tends to dominate coverage. How do you ensure viewers don’t lose sight of what a Kamala Harris victory would represent?
It’s a real challenge not to fall into that trap. If Harris wins, the story is not “Trump loses”. I don’t think the coverage so far has grasped that the US could have its first woman president and one with black and Asian origins. Hers is a real American success story.
People are saying it’s one of the closest US elections ever. Would you stick your neck on the line and predict a winner?
I’ve been covering US elections since 1992 and this is definitely the one where I would least like to say which way it will go. It’s an absolute mug’s game!
What’s your secret for getting through a night of live TV?
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I don’t rely on food very much, because it makes your energy levels go up and down. For the UK election – at over 11 hours, the longest show I’ve ever done – I had one little chocolate interlude about halfway through. Green tea kept me going. Intermittent fasting has always been my default position in life.
Authors
Robin Parker
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