Press and Pundits Face Challenging Polls on 'Threat to Democracy'

Democracy in the Spotlight

The Washington Post's slogan, "Democracy dies in darkness", is a well-known one. However, the newspaper's portrayal of the election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris as a battle between tyranny and democracy has been met with some skepticism. In a poll conducted by the Post shortly before the election, voters in swing states were found to believe that Trump was more likely to protect democracy than Harris, despite her campaign's focus on saving democracy.

The Poll's Findings

The poll surveyed 5,016 registered voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. When asked who would do a better job of "defending against threats to democracy," 43% chose Trump, while 40% selected Harris. Interestingly, this was the same result when President Biden was the nominee. A majority of voters said that threats to democracy were important to them, but they trusted Trump more than Biden to protect democracy.

Media and Pundit Reactions

The results of the poll were not only a blow to the Harris campaign, but also to the press and pundits who have been consistently warning about the end of democracy if Harris is not elected. Despite these dire predictions, supporters of Harris have escalated their rhetoric to a level of extreme alarm.

Accusations and Predictions

There have been numerous claims and predictions about the potential consequences of a Trump election victory. These include suggestions that Trump would dismantle the judiciary and Congress, create a list of enemies for potential roundups, and even establish camps for migrants. Some have even speculated that Trump could imprison political opponents.

Constitutional Order and Democracy

Despite these fears, the reality is that any such actions would require a complete collapse of over two centuries of constitutional order, and the sudden embracing of tyranny by virtually every constitutional actor in the system. The January 6 riot, often cited as proof of impending doom, was actually a testament to the strength of the constitutional system. The riot was quelled, Congress reconvened, and Biden was certified as the next president.

Public Perception and Resistance

Despite years of apocalyptic predictions from Biden, Harris, the press, and pundits, the public seems to be skeptical. This is not necessarily because they are fans of Trump, but rather because they are resistant to being manipulated. Many voters have noticed that some of the same figures warning about the death of democracy have also supported measures such as ballot cleansing and the weaponization of the legal process against Trump.

Bottom Line

The choice between Trump and Harris is not an easy one, and Harris' claim to be the only hope for democracy is not resonating with everyone. Voters are looking for more than a political campaign based on fear and elusive joy. What do you think about this? Share your thoughts with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.