Evaluating the Clarity of the 2024 Election Choice: Insights from Ross Douthat
Ross Douthat’s opinion piece questions the clarity of the 2024 election choice, particularly regarding candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, highlighting the lingering uncertainties despite strong opposition to Trump. He critiques the liberal establishment’s failure to deliver on promises of sanity, stability, and competence, particularly in light of rising crime and foreign policy challenges under Biden. Douthat urges voters to consider these factors carefully as they approach the election.
In his recent opinion piece, Ross Douthat explores the paradox of the looming 2024 presidential election, questioning why the choice of candidates, particularly Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, seems so clear yet is accompanied by significant indecision among voters. Notably, a slogan circulating in his neighborhood reads, “Harris-Walz 2024: Obviously,” which highlights a tendency among liberal circles to view opposition to Donald Trump as self-evident. However, Douthat asserts that if the decision were truly obvious, the election would not be characterized by such uncertainty. He reflects on the 2016 election, where Hillary Clinton’s campaign presented an implicit assurance to voters: despite policy disagreements, liberals would uphold sanity, stability, and competence compared to Trump. Yet the ensuing years have revealed challenges to this promise. Douthat argues that the liberal establishment has, at times, abandoned rationality, especially in the wake of events like the George Floyd protests, which led to an assault on traditional policing and a subsequent rise in crime. Furthermore, the push for experimental treatments for gender dysphoria raised concerns about the liberal commitment to sound judgment. On the international stage, Douthat critiques the Biden administration’s handling of foreign affairs, arguing that under Biden, America’s global position has weakened, raising the risks of conflict. This contrasts with Trump’s more stable but controversial approach. He asserts that both Biden and Harris have struggled to demonstrate the level of competence required for effective governance, especially in comparison to elite figures like Clinton and Biden himself. Douthat concludes by urging voters to weigh the uncertainty of the current political landscape, emphasizing the necessity for a conscientious decision-making process come November 2024. He notes the potential capabilities of the Republican ticket and warns that the defining qualities of the liberal campaign—sanity, stability, and intelligence—are increasingly being called into question, thereby complicating the decision for many voters.
The article delves into the political atmosphere surrounding the 2024 election, particularly the candidacy of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Douthat references the political divides that have developed since the Trump presidency, reflecting on the promises made by the Democratic Party in the past regarding stability and competence, which are now under scrutiny. The discussion is embedded in a broader socio-political context, including reactions to protests, crime rates, and international relations, particularly under the Biden administration.
In summarizing the piece, Douthat emphasizes the dilemma facing voters in the upcoming election. He indicates that while the choice between candidates may appear straightforward, the underlying complexities regarding the candidates’ capabilities and the performance of the current administration complicate the decision. With both historical context and contemporary challenges in mind, he advises voters to engage in thoughtful deliberation when casting their ballots in 2024.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
