The Post-Journal
The Contest Is Now Joined
Sep 14, 2024
Rolland Kidder
I mentioned several weeks ago that Joe Biden, in the
June debate, had shown that he was incapable of running again a national
campaign for the Presidency. Mr. Biden eventually came to the same conclusion
and removed himself from the race.
This week there was another debate, and it was clear,
no matter whom you favored, that we now again have a viable campaign underway
for this highest office in our land. The contest is now joined.
To be honest, it would be a stretch to actually call
what we saw a “debate.” It was more a verbal boxing match than an in-depth
analysis of issues facing the country. The country knew what to expect from
former President Trump. What we didn’t know is how Vice President Harris would
hold up under the pressure and scrutiny of it.
I think it is safe to say that, in that respect, she
did just fine. She went “toe-to-toe” with the former President. She held her
own and let him be himself.
Ever since the first televised Presidential debate
between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, it has become evident that these
so-called “debates” are really more performance contests than anything else.
Though issues were debated more thoughtfully in that first debate, the
“winner,” so called, was deemed to be Mr. Kennedy because he looked sharper and
more articulate in presenting his views. Mr. Nixon seemed to be tired and not
as much at ease as Mr. Kennedy.
In other words, one candidate performed better than the
other.
Another performance that I remember was that between
President Reagan and former Vice President Mondale. The press and the pundits
had been hyping the issue of President Reagan’s age, as compared to the younger
Mr. Mondale. President Reagan put that down with one sentence, promising early
in the debate that he “would not make Mr. Mondale’s age an issue in this
election.” Everyone laughed and after that, Ronald Reagan cruised to
re-election.
Nonetheless, what all of this points to is what I think
is really an evident weakness in our political system. Every four years, we
choose our Presidents from a very narrow field–usually, it comes down to only
two people, as to who will lead our executive branch of government.
One advantage I see in other democracies–like most
countries in Europe–is that the political leader of the country emerges after
many years of serving in a parliament where they can be vetted and evaluated by
their peers. In our country, you can come out of nowhere with a slogan and lot
of money, with no political experience, and become President of the United
States.
Yet, our system is what it is. The Constitution set it
up this way, and so every four years we again go through these election
campaigns. In order to “protect” the process and secure the support of the
smaller states, the Constitutional Convention also set up the mechanism of the
Electoral College. Though this seems archaic today and can allow a candidate
with fewer popular votes win the Presidency– unless changed by constitutional
amendment (which is not easy,) the Electoral College will likely be with us for
many years to come.
So–the campaign has now begun with all the hoopla and
political advertising that goes with it. Sit back and “enjoy” –or, at least,
bear with it. It will be over in less than two months!
