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The bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced that the 2nd Presidential debate, originally slated for Thursday, October 15 in Miami, FL, would be canceled after Donald Trump, current POTUS, refused to go along with a virtual debate instead of one in person.
The 1st debate, held on September 29 in Cleveland, OH, was heated and marked by acrimony. It was considerably less civil than the subsequent VP Debate on October 7 between VP Mike Pence and challenger Kamala Harris at the University of UT.
So much heat was generated between Trump and Biden, this almost wistful question was posed by 8th grader Brecklynn Brown of UT to Pence and Harris: “If the leaders [of our country; brackets mine] can’t get along, how are the citizens supposed to get along?” Then she added, “Your examples could make all the difference to bring us together.”
In another time I don’t think this question would have been asked. It might have been unnecessary.
There were then two major political parties, as there are now. Ours is a bicameral legislature. Despite attempts from time to time to alter that, it may remain that way. Some habits die hard (if at all).
But politicians were once more civil and, despite their differences, seemed able to work together for the common good. That now rarely seems to be the case. Positions are hardened, as are hearts and minds. As a consequence, our country suffers. We, the people, suffer.
