Dictionary: Discussion – debate; plus – as well as that; likewise – also; managers – handlers; advantage – benefit; plot – conspiracy; portray herself; excluded – dispossessed; appropriateness – suitability; dubious – questionable; extended span – long period of time.
Harold Wilson, the ex-UK prime minister, endured a lengthy week in the political arena. This was no accident. Since the Donald Trump/Kamala Harris discussion, numerous events have unfolded – Harris seems to be leading slightly, confidently asserting that Trump’s time in office will end in November. Furthermore, there was another clear effort to discern the truth from Trump – at this point, details of the repercussions that may follow are still uncertain.
The discussion, on its merit, was intriguing, but it demonstrated the significant facets of politics that would unravel in the forthcoming weeks. Contributing to Harold Wilson’s magnanimity, what the contentious duo mentioned will probably fade soon, however, the vivid recall of the events in between is expected to persevere.
One might assert that finding a US election since 1960 – Kennedy versus Nixon – where character matters were thrust into the limelight, is difficult.
Thus, examining how the two contenders presented themselves is intriguing, even fruitful.
Initially, the GOP’s managers likely anticipated a serious effort from Trump which didn’t materialise. Harris remained vague on her policy specifics. Yet, in contemplating the cast, she is likely to understand the perils of identifying herself as a ‘Policy Wonk’ in American parlance.
This acknowledgement didn’t yield any advantage for Hillary Clinton or even earlier for Adlai Stevenson (who ran against Eisenhower).
Additionally, one could question if debating economic theories in a public forum targeting the general electorate might meet significant electoral objectives. This could be perceived as abstract.
The only task Trump needed to accomplish was to demonstrate that he could effectively engage in serious discussions and not just incessantly proclaim self-centred and nationalistic conspiracy theories. However, he didn’t rise to the occasion.
Contrastingly, Harris had a sole task to portray herself as a legitimate presidential figure, which she accomplished with aplomb. Although it’s not a reliable way to determine if a candidate is ‘appealing’, it’s worth noting that this aspect is not dismissed, as proven by perseverance of personalities like Kennedy and Reagan. Eisenhower capitalised on this with his campaign slogan, ‘I Like Ike’. Harris, with her animated countenance, seemed to be well tuned to this fact, a realisation that Trump, with his glaring and ferocious look, failed to make. It is likely that Trump, personally, isn’t very fond of many of his followers, yet they find his projection as the champion of eviction resistors appealing.
As the Covid pandemic begins fading from public consciousness, it wasn’t surprising that it wasn’t a topic of discussion during the debate. During his tenure, Trump’s major challenges were managing the pandemic effectively and exercising constraint. His response was a string of denials, promoting misinformation, imagined remedies, wishful thinking, and a stark inability to coordinate federal health institutions. His administration turned down a comprehensive, pre-existing pandemic preparedness plan from Obama’s administration. The question was never about the ‘if’ of a pandemic, but the ‘when’. The ability to manage crises effectively is a vital requisite for any US President. Yet, questions about Trump’s capability for such a high-ranking position do not seem to bother his supporters. Furthermore, it appears that American voters generally dismiss negative comparisons between US institutions and those of other nations in regards to handling the pandemic.
Equally, the dysfunctional core of Trump’s administration, marked by vacant key positions, was not echoed in the debate. Harris refrained from highlighting the leadership void and incoherence. However, she did manage to score points by commenting on the hiring and firing of senior staff – individuals Trump had appointed only to then hastily show them the exit.
In general, the US voting populace prefers their presidents to demonstrate the qualities of a persuasive monarch, a sentiment that resonates well with Trump. However, his regal tendencies hint at an allure for authoritarianism, as exemplified by Louis XIV’s claim “I am the state”, jeopardising democratic establishments and constitutional norms. In terms of having an unclear policy stance, Trump shares the same drawback attributed to Harris.
The role of Harris as Vice President proves challenging. Despite various accomplishments under the Biden administration, aligning too closely with Biden may not be seen favourably. Furthermore, a clear disconnection from him would provide the GOP with abundant propaganda material. The consequential influence of a Vice President on administration policies could arguably be questioned. However, publicly posing such a question isn’t a viable option. This recalls the vexation of Lyndon Johnson, once a formidable Senate Majority Leader and Kennedy’s former Vice President.
The focus of this election does not rest on international policies, as is common for most US elections. Claims from Harris that Trump’s performance before the global leaders was farcical appear to have had little impact. Similarly, any appreciation expressed by Hungary’s Orban for Trump, a rather doubtful character reference, is unlikely to resonate with the US voting public. Trump enthusiasts’ interpretation of MAGA potentially points to a revival of underfunded, low-skilled manufacturing jobs. A notion that failed to materialise during Trump’s presidency and in all likelihood, never will. So, what makes it a topic for debate?
When it comes to patriotism, Trump is unhesitant to target critics. And, the American populace are indeed patriots at heart.
The political stage finds itself in a passionate fervour, with only six weeks left until election day.
Enda Hardiman is an established business professional and engineer, who has collaborated on a wide scale with significant international organisations, governments, and banking institutions.