Anyone else not gonna watch tonight’s ‘debate’? I’m almost over the denial phase of my grief, headed towards–whatever comes after the denial stage of grief. As much as Biden is to blame for his chutzpah, a moribund national Democratic Party is equally to blame. I mean, not even a discussion as to whether an increasingly-frail man in his eighties should run for reelection? Hey, if you disagree with me, you can always attend that Debate Watch Party being sponsored by the Delaware Democratic Party. Me? Can’t imagine a place I’d less rather be.
Biden and Centrism Summed Up Thusly:
By centrist politics, I mean the styles of figures such as President Biden; French President Emmanuel Macron; Keir Starmer, the British Labour Party’s candidate for prime minister; and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. They are in many ways following in the ideological footsteps of former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and former British prime minister Tony Blair.
Centrist politicians and parties often defend their adoption of cautious or conservative politics by arguing that this approach is the only way to keep the far right from gaining power. But Obama was succeeded by Donald Trump. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally has gotten much stronger during Macron’s presidency. The class of Republicans that took control of the House two years ago, in the middle of Biden’s presidency, is the most radical, right-wing group to run the chamber in recent times. Biden is tied in polls with Trump, even though the Republican candidate is very unpopular. In the European Union’s parliamentary elections earlier this month, far-right parties did better than even before.
Centrists often win because the other party governs terribly and effectively disqualifies itself. U.S. voters were largely rejecting Trump in the 2018 and 2020 elections. Frustration with the incumbent Conservative Party is the main reason Labour is headed to victory.
But once in office, this centrism fails to create a strong political constituency to keep it in power. This style of politics mainly appeals to people who have liberal views on gay rights and other cultural issues and are doing well financially and therefore are generally comfortable with the status quo (like Bloomberg). Voters who are either more culturally conservative or want politicians to enact meaningful change aren’t satisfied.
So what’s the alternative to centrism? A powerful narrative that voters can connect to. The strength of far-right, nationalist parties is that they are telling a clear, compelling story, even if it’s largely inaccurate. “Our nation was doing well before all of these changes, particularly allowing in immigrants who don’t respect our culture and letting boys be girls and girls be boys. We must return to our roots,” they essentially argue.
Also helps if you don’t run an 80-something incumbent.
Our Soon-To-Be-Future President?:
If you’re undecided:
I know when I’m over-matched. Buh-bye.
What do you want to talk about?