I always enjoy comments from The Spy readers on our weekly From and Fuller commentaries. I wish more of you would let us know when they agree or disagree with us. Perhaps, we’re not provocative enough.
But this week Reed Fawell III posted a comment that I believe deserves a response. The essence of Mr. Fawell’s comment was this: (1) reasonable people can take the position I did that in 2024 former President Donald Trump poses a threat to democracy and must be defeated; (2) too many thoughtful people believe President Biden threatens their version of America’s ‘democracy’ and must be stopped; and, (3) we should not throw out any third party options to Biden and Trump.
At the heart of Mr. Fawell’s comments is the implication that Trump and Biden are equal threats to American democracy. To be sure both Trump and Biden are unpopular and many voters would like both of them to step aside. But I believe that is a false equivalency to say they are equal threats to democracy — and that is what I’d like to address.
I have said many times in The Spy and other forums that I believe that democracy is on the ballot in 2024 — and that Donald Trump represents the greatest threat to our democracy since the Civil War.
The essence of our democracy is that we choose our leaders in free and fair elections and all candidates for high office, including the presidency, abide peacefully with the results of the vote.
Donald Trump tried to undermine that system by refusing to accept the results of the 2020 election he lost to President Biden.
He tried to intimidate state elected officials into falsifying the election results in his favor.
He tried to put up false slates of electoral college electors in several states to steal the election.
He ordered his vice president to violate his constitutional responsibility by not validating state certified election results in the House of Representatives.
And he led a violent coups of his supporters at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power to the election winner.
As Maureen Dowd put it in the New York Times: “For the first time, a president who lost an election nakedly attempted to hold onto power and override the votes of millions of Americans.
All of these actions undermine our democracy and threaten our freedoms. They are serious crimes — I believe taken together they constitute the greatest scandal in history of the presidency — and he’ll likely me tried in court for all of them and more over the next 18 months.
Even worse is that three years after the fact, Trump continues to spread the same lies. Last December, he called for the termination of the Constitution that as president he was sworn to uphold. And, he and his cronies are laying out plans for his second term that would punish his enemies and turn our democracy into an autocracy.
I understand that many voters don’t want Joe Biden to be president. They oppose his policies that they believe are bad for the country. They think he’s too old, that he’s no longer up to the job. Some may question his integrity.
Biden may not be an ideal president, but he doesn’t threaten our democracy. There is no moral equivalency between Trump and Biden. As a Republican friend of mine from the Eastern Shore told me, if we elect a Democrat and we think we made a mistake, we can correct it in four years. If we elect Trump, we may never be able to correct it.
In an ordinary year, with two unpopular major party candidates, a third party candidate might make a lot of sense. But 2024 is not a normal year — not with Trump and his promise to destroy our democracy on the ballot. To me, if Trump is the Republican candidate, the presidential election will be and up or down vote on democracy — and for democracy to prevail the pro-democracy vote must be consolidated behind a single candidate.
Trump cannot win the popular vote, but in the 2024 election, like in the last two, the winner will be decided in a handful of swing states in the electoral college.
All credible political research shows a third party candidate would split the anti-Trump (pro-democracy) vote in those critical swing states — and almost certainly throw the election to him in the electoral college. That’s why I’ve believe the group, No Labels, should abandon it’s effort to put up a third party candidate.
With democracy on the ballot in 2024, I believe that our first priority in that election — indeed our only priority — should be to defeat Donald Trump and end his threat to democracy. Until we do, as conservative Judge Michael Luttig has said: our democracy “hangs on a knife’s edge.”
Al From is the founder of the Democratic Leadership Council and author of “The New Democrats and the Return to Power.” He joins his Republican commentator and friend, Craig Fuller, on the Spy’s From and Fuller video podcast every week.
P jonson says
In September 2024, the election will be a binary choice and the rationale “I don’t like Biden but I despise Trump” will be appropriate. Right now, though, the candidate roster is fluid, and it would seem the most reasonable position would seem to be something like “I despise Trump and I don’t like Biden either; what can I do to get a candidate I can support into the mix?” There are people who support Trump, not out of loyalty to Trump, but out of fear of the progressive wing of the Democrat party, a wing that holds considerable power over Biden. A genuine centrist alternative would allay that fear and open the door to someone who could reinvigorate political engagement in a way a Biden victory will not.
Andrei Ostalski says
The solution is obvious: the Democrats must find another strong, much younger, and untainted candidate and invest heavily in promoting him or her. Yes, this will go against tradition and the way party structures are meant to function, but doesn’t a desperate situation call for desperate measures? If the party is not prepared for this, then it will be fully responsible for the end of American democracy and possibly a full-blown civil war. Otherwise, I tell you, Trump will most definitely win and the biggest nightmare in American history will begin.
Jerry McConnell says
A.O., we echo your thoughts on this completely. The question is, how are the Dems going to go about identifying and drafting a willing and effective candidate? Biden’s doing all of us a huge disservice by trolling the country along. He’s a toss up to make it to Election Day, so he’s putting the spotlight on his Vice Presidential candidate, which is a deal-buster if Ms Harris is again the party’s choice.
So Dems need a ticket which appeals to Independents—who hold the key to this election. And, time is of the essence, finding the right person and getting a campaign up and running is challenging.
And as you’ve said, the alternative is another horrifying four years with the most destructive, corrupt, and dangerous “man” to ever abuse power in this country.
William Keppen says
I would like to associate myself with your remarks and add a suggestion. West should with draw from the race as well.
Willard T Engelskirchen says
YES.
Melissa L Barrett says
Al,
I agree with you whole-heartedly. Donald Trump poses an extreme threat to our democracy and is the embodiment of the kind of dictator George Washington warned us about. Trump seems to truly believe that he can do no wrong and that every decision he makes or action he takes is correct. He cares about no one but himself. I don’t think he has a compassionate or empathetic bone in his body. That kind of person has no place in a leadership position in this country. Biden, on the other hand, is sympathetic, caring person who seems to genuinely want to improve the lives of all Americans. He wants to improve our access to health, guarantee our Social Security and Medicare benefits, improve our infrastructure, fight climate change, protect voting rights, and ensure that everyone has equal opportunities. Trump wants to build a wall. Biden is not perfect, but he is a far better choice than Trump.
Bob Parker says
There are those who note the high percentage of voters who do not like trump and those who do not like Biden and draw the conclusion that they are equally bad. This misrepresents the significance of these numbers. Biden is not wanted by members of his own party because of age, and by members of the GOP because of his policies. In contrast, trump is not wanted by members of either party because of his flawed character and willingness to ignore the Constitution. US elections for President present voters with a binary choice, we don’t have the luxury of voting “none of the above” and demanding new candidates. As it stands now, the 2024 election will be a choice between Biden and trump. Voters must ask themselves do they want “the old guy” as President or “the criminal”!
Paul Rybon says
Beg to differ. Donald Trump is not a criminal while serving as POTUS. Many probes and referrals, and none of those proved to have any merit. Biden, on the other hand is being gradually associated with a big criminal enterprise which are hurting this country abroad.
Trump did no crime in contesting the election. The constitution provides the actions he took. With respect to the voting, no court was willing to consider any of his challenges.
Donald has a deep appreciation for the Constitution with special consideration for the first, second, and fourth amendment’s that have to do with personal freedoms. So, enough with the distortions about his actions WHILE IN THE PRESIDENCY.
And where did this notion of cruelty come from? Reacting to incessant personal characterizations such as ‘Orange Man’ small appendages, etc are fair game. Giving up his salary to charity, and the innumerable acts of kindness to many unfortunates has earned him no credit to the vindictve press.
Donald Trump won the 2016 election fairly. Simply outworking Hillary Clinton, Nd promising to unleash the economy. Which helped to lower fuel prices, stave off inflation, put some of our foreign actors Like the Boy Dictator Kim, to sleep. Yes, if Trump gets reelected we’re going to see a resurgence of great times and sweet freedoms for the American people.
Jerry McConnell says
Mr Rybon, your hero has multiple felony charges pending against him. Not because he acted legally or ethically, but because he obviously committed criminal acts, as apparently is his habit. We’ll see if he’s guilty and sentenced to prison in a few months. This isn’t happening because he’s a wholesome person.
Willard T Engelskirchen says
The work of Jack Smith is not yet done. IMHO those who met in the Willard hotel and plotted the reversal of the election have not yet been brought to light. Peter Navarro described what they were going to do and how it was to be done. This was done with the cameras rolling on MSNBC. It is time to bring the plotters to the light of day.
I agree that the Democrats, in the best of all possible worlds, need to find a younger candidate. However, the folks who would kill democracy in our country are still there and still walking around free. That is the biggest danger.
Dick Deerin says
I agree with you. And I would add. I actually believe Joe Biden has been a good president and has successfully moved this country away from the disaster that was the Trump presidency. The country is on the right track.
Rob Lamb says
We don’t want Joe Biden’s democracy. It is already too much of an autocracy. Democrats insist on having control. Ex: Buy this car not that car. This dishwasher NOT that dishwasher!
We want the Constitutional Republic of law and order with liberty, freedom, and justice for all (not some.)
Nothing less will do.
Jerry McConnell says
Sr. Lamb—I’d like to ask you where in the world you’re getting your information here ( a politician is telling you what car to buy?? Really?) but something tells me that that’s a waste of time.
Trying to communicate—let alone reason— with people who have strong opinions but no contact with reality or actual facts is always unproductive. Your statements identify you as a confused but robust patriot who doesn’t know which political party espouses what….but who believes that The Orange Dunce is the answer.
Matt LaMotte says
What about Larry Hogan (R) vs. Gretchen Whitmer (D)?
john fischer says
I agree Mr. Trump is a danger to our democracy and, for that reason alone, should be rejected. Even so, pulling the lever for the physically and mentally infirm Mr. Biden and his rabid progressive keepers will require a deep swallow for many, maybe most, Americans.
Bill Korab says
Both parties have the obligation to nominate a credible candidate for POTUS.
Failure to accomplish this in 2024 should spur
the creation of a powerful third party to take control in 2028.
In my view neither Biden nor Trump are qualified candidates for 2024.
Charles E. Yonkers says
Agree 100+%.
Ann Ashby says
If democracy were your most precious child would you be willing to risk losing him or her because you insisted on “voting your conscience “ for a third party candidate? A third party candidate never wins and in 2024 could be a spoiler with disastrous consequences. It’s probably too late to find an alternative to Biden. Get him elected in 2024 so that there is another election in 2028.
Reed Fawell 3 says
Al From herein grossly misrepresented what I said in the Spy art article found here at;
https://talbotspy.org/from-and-fuller-the-rfk-jr-political-phenomenon-and-no-label-dangers/
Here is what I said article From and Fuller: The RFK Jr. Political Phenomenon and No Label Dangers:
“Yes, the Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Obama, and Trump presidential campaign’s were all successful insurgencies, but according to Al, Trump’s this go round threatens the American “democracy,” and so it must be stopped by all (legal) means necessary. I suggest it is fair enough for reasonable people to hold that opinion based on facts. But how about Biden? The real problem, and far greater threat, lies in the fact that half the country, including folks as intelligent and thoughtful as Al, fairly hold the opinion that Joe Biden’s campaign, based on serious fact, threatens their version of America’s “democracy ” and so Joe must be stopped by all (legal) means necessary.”
Here is what Al From said I said:
“The essence of Mr. Fawell’s comment was this: (1) reasonable people can take the position I did that in 2024 former President Donald Trump poses a threat to democracy and must be defeated; (2) too many thoughtful people believe President Biden threatens their version of America’s ‘democracy’ and must be stopped; and, (3) we should not throw out any third party options to Biden and Trump.”
His “essence” of what I wrote is grossly different in words, meaning, tone, nuance and substance, and so totally misrepresent what I wrote. They are equally at great variance from the balance of my comment.
I request a retraction and correction of the record from Mr. From. And that it be inserted in the original article, and within all its Flashbacks in the Chestertown, Cambridge, and Centreville Spys.
In the future, I request that Mr. From, quote my words instead of a plainly false statement about them.