What the 2020 election is really all about

[William769]

(CNN)If after four years, the American system re-elects a president who openly scoffs at democracy, who encourages political violence and election interference, who revels in corruption and ignorance, then something is deeply wrong with either our system or ourselves.

Following a week of racist statements by the President and racist chants from his supporters, it has become increasingly obvious that the 2020 presidential election will have higher stakes than most. While every presidential election matters — from setting the policy agenda to shaping the Supreme Court — some have consequences that determine whether the nation will be fundamentally altered, and whether its commitments to democratic government will survive.

In less than 18 months, we'll be facing one such election. The stakes are, in a way, even higher than they were in 2016. If Donald Trump loses, then 2016 can be written off as a fluke (even if it shouldn't be). If he wins, with or without the popular vote, any excuses for 2016 fall by the wayside.

There will still be policy debates. There were debates about tariffs and funding the transcontinental railroad during the 1860 election, but that's not what anyone remembers about that race. Nor will 2020 be a verdict on policy. It will be a verdict on the resilience of American democracy.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/23/opinions/2020-presidential-election-is-about-trump-and-us-hemmer/index.html

[SouthernProgressive]

1. Very good to see you.

[William769]

2. Thank you.

I stayed away way to long. I had to for my own sanity.

[Wounded Bear]

10. Can't blame you for feeling that way...

I think we all do to at least a degree.

Welcome back, though.

[murielm99]

3. K&R

[silentEcho]

4. It really is this basic. I agree.

[elocs]

5. It's imperative that Trump be defeated, but American politics is viciously tribal.

Even if Trump loses, his tens of millions of supporters are not going gently into that good night anymore than he is. The only question will be the level of violence, but they will be a thorn in the side of Democrats.
American democracy is on the line and the Left had better remain vigilant because Republicans vote like it was their duty and they will wait for the Left to become complacent. Frankly, given the propensity of the Left to pout and impose purity tests, plus not voting unless they are excited and motivated, my money would be on the Republicans.

[customerserviceguy]

8. I get where you're coming from on that

We have a divisive battle to get through, while Trump has a coronation planned for his convention next year. The Never Trumpers will have been completely vanquished by then, but surely, we will have a few who are sore about their candidate losing the nomination, even if there is a first ballot victory, and more than a few if it takes multiple ballots.

Anyone willing to stick with Trump at this point will make damned good and sure that they go out and vote, no matter what the polls say next year.

[elocs]

13. It's going to be all about supporting the Democratic candidate and turnout, turnout, turnout.

Here in Wisconsin in 2016, Jill Stein and the Green Party received more votes than Trump's margin of victory and those votes did not come from the right.
In Milwaukee count alone, 55,000 fewer people voted in 2016 than did in 2012 and 2/3 of that vote would historically go for the Democratic candidate which also would have been larger than Trump's victory margin.
There were thousands of people here on the Left who usually vote Democratic who did not vote for Clinton and there were thousands on the Left who chose not to vote at all.

[customerserviceguy]

18. In part

we can blame that on the narcotic of the polls. No doubt, there were those with hard feelings after the 2016 convention who said to themselves, "Well, she's gonna win, she doesn't need me. I'll either skip this election or make myself feel righteous by voting third party."

We simply cannot afford that next year.

[elocs]

19. Here's How Many Bernie Sanders Supporters Ultimately Voted For Trump

https://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/545812242/1-in-10-sanders-primary-voters-ended-up-supporting-trump-survey-finds
"Fully 12 percent of people who voted for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries voted for President Trump in the general election."

Sanders won the Wisconsin presidential primary with 567,936 votes, so if the NPR story was correct that would mean over 56,000 Sanders' voters from the primary voted for Trump in the general election. Trump won the Wisconsin popular vote by 22,748 and so got all of its electoral votes. He won Michigan by a far smaller margin. In good conscience can we place all the blame for Clinton's loss on Russian interference?
Will the same thing happen again in 2020? If so we are screwed with our pants on.

[TexasTowelie]

6. We need Space Force!

Good to see you around, William.

[William769]

7. You too my friend.

[world wide wally]

9. We will get what we deserve.

If this cretin is reelected, America is nothing more than a racist shithole.

[peggysue2]

11. The 2020 referendum to come on Trump and Trumpism is very much a . . .

referendum on all of us: Are we willing to stand up, fight and vote for the continuation of the country, a democratic Republic, or are we willing to scatter into partisan groups, allowing Trump and his enablers to rule the day, continue to gut the country and its people while spitting on our traditions and values as best they can.

It's going to be a test of character for the electorate as a whole, the American people. What do we really believe in? I heard a chilling reminder several days ago:

What do you value more, the value of your 401k or the future of the country?

We shall see. But this is for sure--the results of the 2020 election will have far-reaching ramifications. For everyone.

[mcar]

12. Kick. Good to see you back here

[pansypoo53219]

14. make america america again.

[NewJeffCT]

15. Exactly what Tim Wise was talking about

who cares about policy when the choice is between Democracy and White Supremacist Authoritarianism

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212301582

[0rganism]

16. "something is deeply wrong with either our system or ourselves"

imho, it's both. we have a very vocal and motivated minority of the population who are outright racist and/or sexist, and we're living with a deeply flawed system which enables their opinions to carry undue weight.

[spanone]

17. K&R...

[kentuck]

20. Most democracies would already have folded...

..if they had gone thru what America has gone thru, in my opinion.

[Gothmog]

21. I am glad to see you posting again

Good post

[Poiuyt]

22. The 2020 election will be about the soul of America

Nothing less