As of this writing, Democrat and Vice President Kamala Harris is leading Republican and former President Donald Trump in many national public opinion polls on the 2024 presidential race. But that does not mean she is on a direct, easy path to the be the next president.
Though many Americans are ready to move on from former President Trump, those who consider him the best choice have been remarkably solid in their support for him no matter what.
The Harris sign in the photo above is well written and reminds us of an old saying in political campaigns:
“There are two themes in any race. Stay the course, or it’s time for a change.”
This year is different, in that for the first time in this century,* one of the candidates is actually running on a theme that can be best be described as “let’s go back.” That candidate is of course Donald Trump.
His decision to seek a comeback leads inevitably to the Harris campaign chant, “We’re not going back.”
The historian Jon Meachum has said that a unique feature of American history is that through elections, “just enough of us” ultimately make the right decision to push the country forward. That phrase found its way into a speech by President Biden last year.
In a few months we will find out if the choice between Trump and Harris is obvious. Will just enough of us make the right choice that moves the country forward? Or do more Americans think moving forward means going back?
*Previous presidents who tried to make a comeback:
Ulysses S. Grant
Grover Cleveland (Won)
Theodore Roosevelt
Hebert Hoover