U.S. presidential election a "public display of self-doubt": Australian ambassador

Australian ambassador to the United States has characterized the U. S. Presidential election as a "very public display of self-doubt," saying the "fundamental bedrock of the American republic is a distrust of government."

Despite a rollercoaster, fiercely contested and sometimes bitter campaign, the election process had proved that America's democracy was robust, said Joe Hockey.

In a speech to the U. S. Studies Center, he said that both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton had been "questioning the role of American values" during their respective campaigns.

"Nothing has been off-limits in this election... the graphic, 24/7, real-time nature" of the presidential campaign had compounded voters' anxiety, Hockey said in comments published by the Guardian Australia on Thursday.

"To some cynics, it's appeared like a two-year reality television program."

Whichever candidate emerged from the November 8 election would need to address the real concerns of their constituents, said Hockey, with much of the nation experiencing self-doubt about the future of the US and the general mood in the country being pessimistic.

"The incoming president must be seen to respond to those who fear that America and its promise of a grand democracy is no longer working for them," he said.

Hockey shied away from offering his opinion on who would win the presidency, saying the race was too close to call. Endit