“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
- “We’re going to have to see what happens.” That was Donald Trump’s go-to, wink-and-nod non-answer response to a media question about whether he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses in November. In short, that’s a de facto “No.”
- “The winner of the Nov. 3 election will be inaugurated on Jan. 20. There will be an orderly transition just as there has been every four years since 1792.” That was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking as if this were just another quadrennial, business-as-usual presidential election—or somehow akin to the rather reluctant George Washington’s virtually uncontested re-election. As if autocratic, Constitution-dismissing Donald Trump were someone whom the Founding Fathers could ever have imagined as an American president. As if McConnell’s party-first, hypocritically compromised credibility means anything.
- If anyone should be a prominent advocate for mandatory, anti-pandemic mask-wearing, it should be Mitch McConnell, one of the few who, frankly, looks better in a mask. Elaine Chao might agree.
- It was always a given that COVID, SCOTUS, election scenarios, racial injustice and protests would be part of the first debate. Good for moderator Chris Wallace to make sure climate change was included. Its obvious impact on the planet transcends issues that are institutional and societal. That, unfortunately, was just about it for the good part. The presidential debate Tuesday night was an embarrassment for America and for democracy. “SNL” cold openings have been more dignified. Certainly more dignified than “There’s nothing smart about you, Joe” or “Will you shut up, man?” And, yes, there was a Trumpian Proud Boys “Stand back and stand by” shout-out and even a “Pocahontas” reference.
In short, if we can’t prevent one of the participants from turning a debate into a debasing farce that disrespects and abuses the frustratingly ineffective moderator and pre-empts his opponent, then cancel the two remaining ones. America, with a sociopathic punk for president, will be even further demeaned by international ridicule. When contentiousness would be an upgrade, you need a paradigm shift or a presidential change.
Three quick takeaways from this appalling, rhetorical train wreck that trashed another democratic norm. First, Trump is behind and needs to add to his cult-enamored base. But his obnoxious, interrupting, preening performance didn’t help that cause. Biden tried to look presidential, and at times succeeded in projecting welcome understanding and empathy—from health care and pandemic response to job creation and American unity–in direct addresses to viewers. Biden “won” by default. Second, new rule: No more presidential debates unless both parties agree to a kill switch on the microphones. Third, “Elections have consequences,” as we were ironically reminded by Trump.
- It’s been said that the confirmation of Trump’s choice for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s successor, the Federalist Society-approving Judge Amy Coney Barrett, would be the most dramatic ideological swing since Clarence Thomas took the seat of Thurgood Marshall. Alas, that’s as true as it is outrageous and ideologically sacrilegious.
- Judge Barrett, who once clerked for Antonin Scalia, would be Trump’s third appointee on the Supreme Court. That’s fully one third of SCOTUS appointed by a president who didn’t win the popular vote. More reprehensible than representative.
- Barrett, whom Trump had previously appointed to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, also represents a promise kept to white evangelicals who seemingly no longer wonder “What would Jesus say?” Probably not: “OMG, what a great move! She could surely help Trump with post-election litigation.”
- Trump, for all his pandering to Cuban Americans, doesn’t mention that he registered his (10-year) trademark in (not-free, Communist) Cuba in 2008 to build hotels, golf courses and, what the hell, casinos.
- “(Trump) lacks the empathy, integrity, intellect and maturity to lead.” That was Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (under President George W. Bush) and the former Republican governor of Pennsylvania.
- “Vote him out!”: Chant from the crowd honoring the flag-draped coffin of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
- So another insider, former top homeland security aide to VP Mike Pence Olivia Troye, has gone public with Trump Administration criticism–and has endorsed Joe Biden. The mismanaged coronavirus was the final straw. “At this point, it’s country over party,” she explained. What she didn’t explain is why it took this long for “country over party” to finally resonate with an unhinged president who’s been an ongoing threat to American security and democracy since day one.
- “American patriot.” “A shining symbol of the American fighting spirit.” That’s how the high-profile, high fund-raising defense of Kyle Rittenhouse has characterized its client, the teen who came to Kenosha, Wisc., brandishing an assault weapon and wound up killing two protestors.
- “I am not engaged in sabotaging the election.” That was Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Imagine needing to say that?
- It’s no surprise revelation—or fake news—that Trump, who played the oxymoronic “populist”/business-mogul card in his otherwise nativist, cartoonish presidential pitch, is a lot better at playing a “mogul” than, well, being one. Revealed tax information confirms years of minimal ($750) or zero federal income taxes—in the context of depreciation, tax credits, bankruptcies, lawsuits and chronic losses of Daddy’s money. Then there’s that less-than-populist item about deducting $70,000 in hair-styling expenses. Trump biographer Tim O’Brien has called him a “human billboard” and a “serial bankruptcy artist who gorges on debt he may have a hard time repaying.” There are lots of reasons the grifter-in-chief is the only president in modern history to not release his tax returns.
- American exceptionalism: Has there ever been a country this big, this economically and military powerful, this globally impactful and this close to failing-state status?