Democrats Aim to Preserve Election Disorder
In 1968, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley made a famous declaration during the Democratic convention riots, stating that the role of the police was not to create disorder, but to preserve it. It seems that Democratic state election officials have adopted a similar approach for the upcoming election. In key states such as North Carolina and Michigan, Democrats are battling to keep Robert Kennedy, Jr.'s name on the ballot, even though he has withdrawn from the race and endorsed former president Donald Trump. These are crucial states where even a 1 percent shift in votes could potentially alter the outcome of the entire election.
Michigan's Ballot Battles
In Michigan, Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently fought to keep third-party candidate Cornel West off the ballot. Unlike Kennedy, who is likely to draw votes away from Trump, West is seen as a potential threat to Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly among those who disagree with her policies towards Israel. A court ruled against Benson, stating that she was adopting an artificially narrow interpretation to keep Kennedy on the ballot.
North Carolina's Election Controversy
In North Carolina, where Trump and Harris are statistically tied, Democrats also refused to remove Kennedy’s name. An appellate court this week ordered them to do so to avoid confusion for voters. Recently, the same Democratic officials sought to block West from the ballot, claiming his campaign was causing "partisan mischief."
Wisconsin's Election Board Standoff
In other states such as Wisconsin, another key state, Democrats on the election board blocked a Republican effort to remove Kennedy’s name. In both Michigan and North Carolina, officials are fighting to keep a popular candidate off the ballot while striving to retain a non-existent candidate, all in the name of protecting democracy.
Florida and North Carolina's Primary Battles
Previously, Democrats in Florida and North Carolina fought to block other Democrats from appearing on primary ballots. Candidates like Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), author Marianne Williamson, and commentator Cenk Uygur faced concerted campaigns by election officials and advocates to prevent voters from having a choice in the primary. After securing the nomination for President Biden, Democrats later handed the nomination to Harris without a single vote from a primary voter.
Democratic Activists and the Media's Role
Democratic activists are now referring to this as an election by "acclamation," likening it to a political version of the immaculate conception in which a candidate is simply conceived by the party elite. Meanwhile, Harris was kept away from the media to avoid any unscripted interactions. At the same time, Democratic supporters argue that it's not necessary for Harris to offer detailed plans or agree to interviews in a campaign that is selling "joy" and "good vibes."
Journalism's Role in the Election
Some believe that saving democracy means holding Harris to a different, more deferential standard. New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” to defend treating Harris differently. She explained that due to the extremism of the Republican Party and Donald Trump, it's hard to hold both candidates accountable equally.
The Importance of Participation, Information, and Choice
Both candidates have much to address that they would prefer to ignore. The media is correct to press Trump on many of these issues. However, the success of any democratic system is dependent on three key elements: participation, information, and choice. Encouraging voter turnout takes on a menacing meaning if voters are being protected from the distractions of facts.
Bottom Line
Winning at any cost is no virtue in a democracy, even when claiming to be a defender of democracy. The omitted details include Harris’s support for policies that many of us view as a direct threat to our constitutional system, including censorship and court packing. What are your thoughts on this matter? Share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6pm.
