This Time Is Way Different

I've seen a lot of elections

It’s been six days since the debate, and I’m feeling the fatigue of trying to understand what’s going to happen with the Democrats. The media just keeps asking the same questions over and over again: will he step aside, should he step aside, who’s telling him to step aside, who knows if he’s thinking about stepping aside, is Jill sheilding her husband too much?

I have not been a Democrat all my life (but I have always voted that ticket); my decision to become a party member was because I wanted to vote for Hillary Clinton in the NY Primary and had to be a Democrat to do so. When I registered to vote during college, to me the parties seemed very similar. Not so anymore. All I care about is defeating Trump.

My two go-to places for news don’t feel reliable anymore. I think CNN is biased in trying to get eyeballs by spinning the mess over and over again, creating conflict or pouring gasoline on the fire. The NY Times seems to have a grudge against Biden, and while they may have facts that I trust, their opinion and the way they share what they do seems unfair. Heather Cox Richardson put it simply: we cannot rely on the press anymore to help us. We have to do this ourselves.

A New Yorker cartoon from 1984

I remember when President Johnson decided not to run for re-election. I was very young. I recall the shock my parents felt— Johnson’s withdrawal was unexpected. The Vietnam War was dragging him down. He was the only president I knew, and it felt unsafe to have him leave, I felt like he was abandoning me. But Johnson’s decision to leave the campaign was soon seen as a positive, patriotic move on his part. He was failing in the polls and knew it was time to step aside. His VP, Hubert Humprhey stepped up to run. I bought my first campaign button, which said “Hubie Baby.” I was hopeful. I was incredulous when Nixon eeked out a win. My mother detested Nixon.

Those were the beginnings of my political awareness. Disappointments, hope, celebration, resignation, worry, anger, and then all over again.

A New Yorker cartoon from 2008

This time seems so different from all the other election cycles I have seen, though. There’s nothing normal about this election. Tomorrow we celebrate our country’s independence. I hope everyone takes a moment to fully embrace what we have. It’s imperfect, but it’s better than a monarchy or dictatorship. There’s no comparison.

I feel motivated to write about what’s going on, but fear it’s too much. Tomorrow maybe I will not do a political post, and give us a break. Unless something major happens, of course.

Thanks for being here, have a good evening.