A self-absorbed, insincere, tantrum-throwing danger to American democracy. A career politician suffering from cognitive decline beholden to the radical left. Who would you vote for?
Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden have had allegations of sexual assault, racism, and unprincipled financial dealings levied against them.[1] The men vying to be the next President of the United States have been marred by multiple controversies throughout the campaign, ranging from Biden’s “you ain’t black” gaffe[2] to Trump’s suggestion that 85% of people who wear masks contract COVID-19.[3] It is little wonder that a significant portion of Americans feel disillusioned with the political system and lack an overwhelming enthusiasm to vote for either candidate.[4] With the constant barrage of problematic (to say the least) soundbites broadcast in traditional and social media alike, it begs the question: does 2020 mark a new low in the quality of Presidential candidates? Or have we just become less forgiving of the political elite?
Many fondly remember monumental Democrat and Republican Presidents of the 20th Century. Despite the nostalgic reflections on their tenures and what they purportedly represent, they were not without controversy and scandal. In fact, the importance of controversy and scandal to mire and discredit leaders has arguably become an expectation of the US political discourse.
John F. Kennedy is a beloved Democrat remembered for his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963), and the Equal Pay Act (1963). He was even given a badass depiction fighting zombie hoards in Call of Duty: Black Ops.[5] Despite this glorification, he was rumoured to use a variety of recreational drugs, have various extramarital affairs including Marilyn Monroe, and he orchestrated the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.[6] Following Kennedy’s tragic assassination, his successor Lyndon B. Johnson implemented the Civil Rights Act (1964), the Voting Rights Act (1965), the Immigration and Nationality Act (1965). However, Johnson demonstrated sexist and racist tendencies that contrasted his policy agenda. Allegedly, he commented if female White House staff gained weight and he used the ‘N word’ three times during a speech six weeks before a presidential election.[7] Even Bill Clinton has recently been criticised for his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,[8] adding to allegations of sexual assault as well as his infamous affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. He even needed his esteemed wife, Hillary, to save his 1992 political campaign by defending him and their marriage on 60 minutes amid infidelity scandals.
Across the political aisle, Richard Nixon notoriously had to resign when faced with impeachments threats because of his involvement in a broad criminal spying and sabotage campaign against political opponents. Ronald Reagan has been heralded as a Republican icon having restored the party’s standing and unity, pioneered neoliberal economic reforms, and demonstrated strength in America’s global leadership. Despite his continual glorification, he too was not free of scandal. The 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis involved his administration selling arms to Iran despite an arms trade embargo being imposed, and worse still, breached US law by using part of the proceeds to bankroll right-wing militia groups in Nicaragua. Reagan also opposed sanctions against Apartheid South Africa, vetoed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, and denounced Mandela’s African National Congress party as dangerous and communist. Even before becoming President, he opposed the Civil Rights Act, Voting Act and Fair Housing Act.[9]
Yes, there have been grand strides made in both promoting awareness and advancing the cause of equality since the 20th century. It must also be said that Biden’s gaffes differ significantly from Clinton and Obama’s smooth talking and charismatic leadership, just as Trump’s incredibly inflammatory brand contrasts with Bush’s professionalism. But how can a voter condemn Biden for corruption but still consider the likes of Clinton, Johnson, and Kennedy as largely unmarred? Likewise, how can a staunch Republican who admires Reaganomics loathe Donald Trump who pursues a deregulation and tax cutting economic agenda?
It can be said that perhaps “woke” culture has reached a point where what was once acceptable is no longer. That all along Presidents have never been that great, and that people just ignored their weaknesses and chose instead to focus on their vision and achievements. However, this does not quite explain the inconsistent criticism of past and present leaders. It cannot be said that in the modern era, voters have simply chosen to neglect policy agendas and instead look for an excuse not to support a particular candidate. We live in a time where youth are engaged in critical issues such as gender equality, racial justice, and action on climate change. Popular demonstrations on these exact issues have been broadcast in recent years with thousands adding their voices to the call for change.
Instead, perhaps we have been trained to find reasons to become disillusioned with aspiring leaders. The news media today faces increasing financial difficulty in an age where social media makes information so accessible. This has prompted a change in the way news is presented, with a focus away from raising awareness and reporting current affairs and towards catching and maintaining our attention. One needs to only watch a sliver of CNN or Fox News coverage, look at the front page of the New York Times, or see an out of context post on social media to understand this phenomenon. To remain commercially viable, the line between news and entertainment is becoming increasingly blurred. In relation to elections and the Presidency, it means every little controversy is amplified to a rate never seen in American discourse. The Trump presidency has seemingly been a daily barrage of scandals, and every Biden blunder is replayed numerous times throughout the media. We would not think the greatest athletes in history were inspirational if all we saw were compilations of their every mistake. It is therefore unsurprising that people become sick of candidates put forth to represent them when their every weakness is neatly packaged and delivered right to their mobile phones whilst their broader vision for the country is sidelined. Journalists had greater respect for the integrity of their profession as well as the private lives of politicians in decades gone past. Politicians were not treated as celebrities and their private lives and minor mistakes were not printed with headlines akin to those on a gossip magazine front cover. There just simply was no financial motivation to render politics a series of soundbites to garner views, likes, shares, and retweets.
Maybe US Presidents have never been any good and both candidates are just a continuation of this status quo. Perhaps societal standards have become too progressive and demanding for Biden and Trump, who carry too much baggage from a past era. It is conceivable that the media increasingly reporting politics like sport has contributed to polarisation and candidate disillusionment. The contrast between the criticism of recent Presidents whilst in office compared to their praise once they escape the media bubble gives weight to this conclusion. Regardless of the answer, this US election calls into question how we characterise the quality of our leaders compared to their predecessors; whether the aspersions we cast on them are valid or too critical; and, whether we should change our habits to disincentivise media companies from painting images of the political landscape that distort our perception of it. This author is of the opinion that neither presidential candidate is particularly inspiring nor uncontroversial, and that the allegations levied against them are serious and should not be neglected. It seems that particularly for younger voters desiring key societal reform, it is a choice between the lesser of two evils – a choice similarly presented in 2016 which is not unexpected given the strict two party binary of US elections. Hope for a more engaging and less problematic generation of world leaders is possible when one considers the popularity of Barack Obama and Jacinda Arden. However, despite the doubts over particularly Biden’s personal morality, this should not distract from the vision offered by his campaign.
Ultimately, politics is a game of ideas and policy, and whilst the people that espouse those ideas must possess integrity and good character, we must not let politics become a clickbait circus which makes us lose sight of policy agendas. For governance in liberal democracies is bigger than just the individual, formed through agreement of an entire party and endorsement or disapproval of the people. It should remain that way.
[1] https://indianexpress.com/article/world/joe-biden-sexual-assault-case-other-controversies-that-can-spoil-his-presidential-bid-6394798/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG6bQpwoSPE
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhcgmwj3NAc
[3] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/trump-nbc-town-hall-cdc-coronavirus-mask-claim-b1073120.html
[4] https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54095699
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxPEpd2SjIU
[6] https://www.surveycrest.com/blog/15-controversial-american-presidents/
[7] https://nationalpost.com/opinion/the-most-vulgar-american-president-ever-it-sure-as-isnt-donald-trump
[8] https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/08/18/photos-allegedly-show-bill-clinton-receiving-massage-from-jeffrey-epstein-accuser/#16a087d87857
[9] https://listverse.com/2015/01/15/10-reprehensible-crimes-of-ronald-reagan/
