At some point this autumn, the two newly-crowned presidential nominees will debate each other on national television. Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump live. It will be like no other debate anyone has ever seen. Actually, that’s not true. It will probably go along the lines of all of the primary debates this year.
Moderator asks a question to Trump. Trump proceeds to totally ignore question and talk about himself. Trump makes over the top false claim about any topic. Trump then says something to insult Hillary Clinton both personally and professionally. Then it is Clinton’s turn to speak. She also ignores whatever question is asked of her, and goes straight into an explanation about her experience. She uses the word “temperament” and in a sarcastic comment that will probably go over Trump’s head, implies he’s an unqualified idiot.
I could go on with this but I think you get the picture. There’s not a lot to look forward to this election cycle. Anyone who has read this column before knows that this is how I feel and have felt for a while now. What I am trying to highlight in my play-by-play is that this election cycle has and will continue to be about pageantry. Politics has left the building. Any intellectual space that this election ever held is gone. As frightening as this is for our current election, it is even more frightening to think how this contest will shape future presidential races.
We’ve set the bar super low but will it ever be able to rise again? Right now we have the choice between a sleazy snake-oil salesman and a career politician with her own flaws. Come November, one of these two will be our next president. What have we done to ourselves?