Rolland E. Kidder

 

                        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!