In the midst of a pandemic and economic uncertainty, the country has been anxiously awaiting next week’s presidential election. The question of who will lead America for the next four years will be answered shortly (I hope). But the long-awaited finality is not likely to bring any sense of nationwide calm. Either candidate win will strain an already-tense environment, albeit to varying degrees.
The United States remains divided between Republican and Democrat. According to Gallup polling, there has been an almost even split between party affiliations for decades with a sizable portion in the middle who identify as independents. Add to that a never-ending news cycle and social media, and partisan loyalties grow even stronger. As has been the case for several election cycles, voters are told this one is “the most important of our lifetime.” Of course, this claim is recycled each election by the party faithful to spur voters to the polls in defense of their beliefs. That ultimacy is useful before the election, but it is hard to extinguish from minds after the final votes are cast and counted.
President Trump is certainly a polarizing political figure, but according to Democratic Party claims, he is quite literally an existential threat. That same line has been used by former Vice President Joe Biden more than once. This kind of language only inflames. While the candidates possess very different ideologies, they are both temporary leaders on the national stage. Policies will last much longer than the men and women in Washington who enact them. But this kind of clarifying message doesn’t work as well as extremism, and the latter has happened far too often this year.
Over the past several weeks, members of the media have wondered aloud whether the president will accept the election results in the event of a loss. While Trump has done himself no favors with press conference or Twitter musings on this subject, the White House has cleared it up. In response to a question during a briefing, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced, “The president will accept the results of a free and fair election. He will accept the will of the American people.” Despite Trump’s confusing words on the matter, there is no reason to believe the 45th president would do anything beyond complain if Biden wins. On the other hand, there are real worries of increased social unrest if Biden loses.
For months, the nation has witnessed riots, looting, and arson in many cities. The perpetrators are not violent Republicans, but angry leftists and members of Antifa bent on destruction. There continues to be little, broad denunciation of these individuals by Democrats. Given the support of these protests and the language used by Trump’s opponents, there is a very real concern as to what would happen in the event that Trump is re-elected. After all, he is labeled an “existential threat” bent on removing healthcare from millions, among other things. The fear of post-election chaos should Trump win four more years is entirely understandable.
It is unfortunate that we’re at this point in society where the political and cultural environment is so strained. This build-up to November 3 gives the impression that post-election, the country could somehow be less toxic than it is now. This is nothing but wishful thinking. Ultimately, answering the question of “who will win” is not going to settle the collective problems that go far beyond elections, candidates, and partisanship.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
