who I am not

Not that long ago, even before the presidential nominee was switched absent the stereotypical primary selection process, the secret to winning became clear.

When there’s a contest between two competitors who each have high, negative favorability ratings, the goal is to make the match as much about the other person as possible. Whoever the contest becomes most about, loses.

Let’s be honest — and know that I’m not attempting to be rude or disrespectful; it is an objective reading of the plethora of polling data: both current VP Harris and former Pres. Trump have high, negative favorability ratings. Recent polling by ABC, NBC and many more affirm that fact. Neither candidate is well liked by a majority of this country.

To be clear, “well liked” does not mean voting either for or against. It does mean, no less, that voters have to find something other than popularity to base their vote upon.

I am sincerely sensitive, no less, to that being a hard understanding for some. It’s ok. Know that I simply desire to wrestle wisely with the truth.

It’s thus been an interesting dynamic to watch. I also think it’s one of the reasons American elections have lost much of their integrity. Just look at the candidates and how they are advised to run… which is not first and foremost on their own credentials.

The candidates aren’t campaigning and saying, “Hey, I want you to have an accurate idea of who I am, what I think, and how I’ll govern. I’ll be honest; as you get to know me, there will be some things we will disagree on. And when we disagree, we’ll keep listening; we’ll work together to solve. I will not lie to you. I will not act as if I know it all. Clearly, I don’t. Each of us has so much more to learn. It’s time we admit that.”

In its place we get, “You and I are so much alike! But my opponent… I am so not like him/her! He/she is awful. Evil! They want to take all your rights away. They are terrible! Not only are they evil, they are also stupid! I am so glad I’m not like them!”

[I keep thinking of the ancient Pharisees who sat in the corner thanking God for who they were not… oh, my… we have so much to learn…]

In other words candidates oft talk less specifics about self, because the more specifics we know, with a high, negative favorability rating, the less we like them. 

Such seems the collective story of candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

So who is this election most about? My observations suggest that prior to the candidate switch, it seemed most about Pres. Biden. After the conventions, it became more about Trump. And after more public interviews, it’s become more about Harris.

Who knows who will win. This race is reportedly close, which hopefully will keep all humble (respectful, too, please). Note, also, this is advocacy for no one. I simply think it’s a sad reflection of current culture that both candidates are so unpopular and not admired by a clear and present majority. It bothers me to admit that to our younger generations; we are choosing between the unpopular. Years past have given us better choices of whom to vote for.

I met a young lady and her family last weekend, with the gal celebrating a less monumental birthday. We started a conversation of the birthdays that are seemingly most monumental…

…18 … 21… 25…

“What comes with each one?” we asked.

Quickly we acknowledged that 18 comes with the right to vote.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I soon added. “I just feel like my generation and others should apologize to you for not having a better selection of presidential candidates to vote for. I was very proud of casting my first national vote. My dismay is that you don’t have the same choice.”

The young gal immediately affirmed that thought, bothered, and still unsure of what she’ll do in a few weeks.

Her mother then chimed in, “Just don’t vote for _________! ____ is a mess and doesn’t know what they’re talking about!”

Alas, here we go. 

Be kind to each other, friends. It just isn’t always so clear.

Respectfully…

AR