As the 2024 election approaches, the stakes are higher than ever, with democracy itself hanging in the balance. The campaign is shaping up to be the most consequential since 1860 but also the weirdest, with two fundamental facts about the candidates seemingly lost on a significant portion of the electorate.
Despite Donald Trump’s glaring lack of qualifications and Joe Biden‘s impressive presidential record, the race remains perilously close.
The first fact is obvious: Donald Trump is woefully unqualified to hold public office, let alone the most powerful position in the world. His presidency would spell disaster for American democracy and its traditions.
Is America Seriously Considering Electing Trump Again?
The second fact is less obvious but no less objective: Joe Biden has been a remarkably good president, with a strong economic record, plummeting violent crime rates, and significant investments in infrastructure and education. Yet, despite these accomplishments, the threat of a Trump takeover remains alarmingly high.
Trump’s disqualifying qualities are numerous: insurrectionist, election denier, pathological liar, corrupt, racist, antisemite, and more. It’s astonishing that these traits haven’t disqualified him in the eyes of all responsible voices.
Meanwhile, the mainstream media has lost its nerve, repeating Trump’s lies without challenge and failing to render fundamental judgments about truth. This fear of being seen as “out of touch” or “liberally biased” has led to a catastrophic abdication of responsibility.
The Democrats, too, bear some blame, with an embarrassment of riches in terms of issues and an inability to focus on the few that matter most.
Biden is a skilled politician with mainstream views, but his party must unite behind a single set of mantras to force the media to focus on the fundamental choice between Trump’s apocalyptic vision and Biden’s imperfect but competent leadership. Three issues, tops: abortion and two more. Hammer them home, and save the country.
