In a final presidential push, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both copied their stump speeches and pasted them into dueling USA Today op-eds. While there’s no new policy, the two editorials show that the candidates agree on a single issue: Their opponent will ruin America.
Regardless of whether the nation pulls the red or the blue lever though, representative democracy will endure. Neither candidate can completely deliver on their promises because they’ll run into a wall of gridlock. And that’s a good thing.
Both candidates failed to discusses the possibility of an American dream after Election Day. Promising that she’ll “find common ground,” Clinton warns that Trump will completely divide the nation. Taking aim at corruption on Capitol Hill, Trump warns that there will be “an unprecedented constitutional crisis.”
In the newspaper with the widest circulation in America, both candidates made clear that the future of the country begins and ends with them. There’s nothing in either pitch that suggests that underlying institutions or fundamental character remain solid. Instead, both candidates believe there’s no reason for optimism without them in the Oval Office. They’re wrong.
After inauguration day, there will be plenty of opportunities for bipartisan obstruction. It’s unlikely that either would enter the office with a mandate and it’s likely that a closely divided Senate won’t give either party an overwhelming advantage.
Even if the country was on the cusp of disaster, neither could save it. Their egos can’t overcome constitutional checks and balances.
The current political climate, combined with the arc of history, might also limit the next president to one term. With Clinton, Democrats face a big challenge going four for four in presidential elections. And with Trump, Republicans won’t be able to settle the civil war raging inside their party. It’ll probably be one and done for either of them.
Meanwhile, government and civil society will continue at the local level in state houses and communities. Of course, Clinton and Trump presidencies come with consequences. But they won’t operate unchecked while in office. And four years isn’t forever.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
