Around noon today, CNN, FOX, AP, and MSNBC announced that Joe Biden has a unsurmountable lead in Pennsylvania and he will surpass 270 electoral votes. This will make him president-elect. President Trump has not conceded and in fact was out playing golf. Both candidates will probably speak to the nation later tonight. We are now moving into the next phase of the election and confirmation of a new president.
There are several critical takeaways from this election drama. Foremost, is that we are an impatient nation. Americans are demanding and not logical in their thinking. We are suddenly proven willing to violate rules, in a nation that cries about law and order, to learn who will be president. But are we willing to accept the decision? There is a process to elections and it cannot be shortened due to public whims. (Americans seemingly are adopting the behavioral traits of the president.) The Constitution determines the presidency by votes and the Electoral College. All votes are counted before a winner is declared. Elections also have to be certified and the actual winner has never been officially decided on the night of the election. Although Joe Biden will win the popular vote, the majority does not always decide who rules America. There are guidelines on deciding contested elections. They do not include the Supreme Court.
Second, that President Trump has altered the power of the executive branch. The heavy emphasis on the presidency overshadows the role of the Senate, the House and the Supreme Court. Throughout 2020, we have seen how an imperial presidency can render the other institutions useless if the checks and balances are not maintained. Additionally, in terms of this shift, President Trump has worked miracles in terms of redefining what is right and honest, and what Americans stand for. His presidency has resembled a monarchy, operated in a king-like manner with random decisions, lies, and little worries about the consequences of his actions. In the final analysis, we really did not challenge his actions as long as most of us benefitted. In many respects we are as ignorant, opportunistic and self-interested as he is.
Third, that the American electorate may vote against its own self-interests if prompted by candidate and/or party loyalty. Registered Republicans often voted for Republican candidates regardless of the candidates' actions, views and policies. For example, exit polls revealed that Republican senior citizens remained loyal to the Republican party in stating that President Trump did a good job handling COVID-19. Uninsured COVID suffering voters supported Republican candidates who don't support health care for patients with pre-existing conditions or were against COVID recovery legislation. Union members, including autoworkers, similarly voted for President Trump in spite of his views against unions.
Fourth, the Democrats saw a defection of particular constituents. While Joe Biden did better than Hillary Clinton almost everywhere, he did not capture the same voters. African American males and Latino males abandoned the Democrats. Nearly 30% of Latino males and about 20% of African American males supported President Trump. Historic Latino communities, for instance, are not staying with the Democrats. Surveys in Florida showed 30% of Puerto Rican voters went for President Trump. This is more in line with the Cuban community which are loyal Republicans. Over 60% of Florida's Cubans supported Trump. Florida's Venezuelans embraced President Trump's language that Joe Biden is a socialist. They did not challenge why President Trump did not do more to address conditions in their homeland nor question his failed "alleged" Bay of Pigs like coup.
Fifth, the use of socialism and communism in this election serves as buzz word for fearing reform. The linkage of the Democrats with socialism goes well beyond Bernie Sanders, AOC and the squad. Virtually, every Democratic candidate was smeared by a tie to Nancy Pelosi and her "socialist agenda". This means that the Democrats have to re-educate the public on their agenda and the actual definitions of socialism as it might appear in American history.
Finally, the alleged harmony of America's diversity has been destroyed. The racial, ethnic and religious solidarity of Americans has been destroyed. We are witnessing the rise of independent coalitions based on issues rather than group/racial/ethnic/gendered affiliations. The interactions between black male entertainers and the Trump administration, and interactions between Latinx communities and the Trump administration highlights how groups might vote against their own "racial" interests. It also highlights how intergroup strife can be promoted for political gain. Exit interviews indicate that the Democrats will have to work harder to retain constituents. The polling and exit interviews prove that 1) Latinos should not be seen as a singular race and that 2) Trump can disrespect you and you will still support him. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz sadly demonstrated that to the world and Cuban Americans allowed such insults to stand. Interviews with 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation Mexicans in Texas argued it was wrong of Trump to put kids in cages, but illegals from Honduras and Guatemala should not try to sneak into the US. Mexican Americans did not see race in this situation, but rather nationality. President Trump also broke African American unity by pitting younger against older, richer against poorer, and men against women. He equally exposed the majority of white perspectives on race, gender, religion and class. White Americans voted for or against the president largely based on a single or several issues but not due to overall political orientation or the best interests of the nation.
President Trump showed us all what we truly are - a nation of somewhat ignorant, seemingly self-interested and self-centered individuals who claim they love their nation but have yet to prove their loyalty. Loving the country means to love their neighbors and work for unity. Can Joe Biden unite the mess that he will inherit? Trump's America is fragmented, bitten and broken. It is not the shinning city on a hill that serves as a beacon of all that is good and right.
Will America prove that is exceptional and can rise above the chaos? The rest of the world is watching.
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