This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/20/opinion/john-mccain-trump.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Want to Win in 2020? Fight Fair Democrats, Try Speaking to the Whole of America
(about 16 hours later)
We lost John McCain nearly a year ago. I worked with Senator McCain during the last 14 months of his life. I was a newcomer to his staff and our time together was short. I am nevertheless certain that at the end of his service, his greatest frustration was our inability to bring partisan competition back within constructive bounds — to run tough but honest and substantive campaigns that strengthened American government and made it an example for the world.We lost John McCain nearly a year ago. I worked with Senator McCain during the last 14 months of his life. I was a newcomer to his staff and our time together was short. I am nevertheless certain that at the end of his service, his greatest frustration was our inability to bring partisan competition back within constructive bounds — to run tough but honest and substantive campaigns that strengthened American government and made it an example for the world.
I am not heartened by what I see of the Democratic campaign to oust President Trump. It is difficult to imagine that Donald Trump will be defeated if the Democratic nominee emerges from the primaries with the party broken into demographic shards. Indeed, a widening rift between accomplished centrists and impatient young progressives augurs a uniquely destructive general election.I am not heartened by what I see of the Democratic campaign to oust President Trump. It is difficult to imagine that Donald Trump will be defeated if the Democratic nominee emerges from the primaries with the party broken into demographic shards. Indeed, a widening rift between accomplished centrists and impatient young progressives augurs a uniquely destructive general election.
Democrats must remember: Divisions among their own party’s traditional constituencies helped pave the way for Mr. Trump’s election. A narrow, polemical campaign — even if successful — will do the country further, lasting harm if it leaves large numbers of our citizens embittered and estranged. How Mr. Trump might be defeated matters in its own right.Democrats must remember: Divisions among their own party’s traditional constituencies helped pave the way for Mr. Trump’s election. A narrow, polemical campaign — even if successful — will do the country further, lasting harm if it leaves large numbers of our citizens embittered and estranged. How Mr. Trump might be defeated matters in its own right.
Our country is rived for many reasons. Some have little to do with politics or government. But too little thought is given to the damage done, cycle after cycle, as candidates play the odds in pursuit of a slim but sufficient margin. Few can resist the temptation merely to excite their base and damn the rest of us as the cause of all the trouble. America cannot take much more of this. We must have candidates willing to engage the bewildered and polarized American electorate of the early 21st century as it is and to assume responsibility for the whole of it.Our country is rived for many reasons. Some have little to do with politics or government. But too little thought is given to the damage done, cycle after cycle, as candidates play the odds in pursuit of a slim but sufficient margin. Few can resist the temptation merely to excite their base and damn the rest of us as the cause of all the trouble. America cannot take much more of this. We must have candidates willing to engage the bewildered and polarized American electorate of the early 21st century as it is and to assume responsibility for the whole of it.
For many years, both parties have persuaded themselves that they command a hidden majority and that a lasting victory is just an election away. They need only redouble campaign spending, sharpen the invective, promise boldly, and soon they can legislate at will. Never mind the jaw-dropping sacrifices of comity and political substance such tactics entail. The end will justify the means.For many years, both parties have persuaded themselves that they command a hidden majority and that a lasting victory is just an election away. They need only redouble campaign spending, sharpen the invective, promise boldly, and soon they can legislate at will. Never mind the jaw-dropping sacrifices of comity and political substance such tactics entail. The end will justify the means.
A few months ago, against the background of the past two years, and despite the equivocal impact of the Mueller investigation, Democrats could be forgiven for assuming that the outcome of the coming presidential election would indeed be different. The Trump administration is uniquely disorderly and unethical. Moreover, the president is so bombastic, and so incorrigible when he is wrong, that he is utterly unable to persuade and to lead when he is right. But he has sharpened his game as the ideological turmoil within Democratic ranks has become more apparent.A few months ago, against the background of the past two years, and despite the equivocal impact of the Mueller investigation, Democrats could be forgiven for assuming that the outcome of the coming presidential election would indeed be different. The Trump administration is uniquely disorderly and unethical. Moreover, the president is so bombastic, and so incorrigible when he is wrong, that he is utterly unable to persuade and to lead when he is right. But he has sharpened his game as the ideological turmoil within Democratic ranks has become more apparent.
But even if the Democrats win the White House in 2020, the problems that produced the Trump constituency will remain. Behind our foolhardy identity politics stand hard social and economic realities that trouble a majority of our citizens, and the neat trick of blaming Mr. Trump for the circumstances that made his presidency possible is not going to work for very long.But even if the Democrats win the White House in 2020, the problems that produced the Trump constituency will remain. Behind our foolhardy identity politics stand hard social and economic realities that trouble a majority of our citizens, and the neat trick of blaming Mr. Trump for the circumstances that made his presidency possible is not going to work for very long.
I refer to the well-known difficulties American workers face in a globalized economy, problems we share with most postindustrial democracies, such as widening income inequality and the failure of our schools to equip citizens for the unforgiving dynamism of a tech-driven economy and liberalized trade. That these difficulties seem disproportionately to affect white working-class men or rural communities in “red” counties does not mean they are now confined, or will remain confined, to those demographic categories. They are American problems that also affect people of color and other key Democratic constituencies, and they will only intensify as intelligent machines play a greater role in our economic future.I refer to the well-known difficulties American workers face in a globalized economy, problems we share with most postindustrial democracies, such as widening income inequality and the failure of our schools to equip citizens for the unforgiving dynamism of a tech-driven economy and liberalized trade. That these difficulties seem disproportionately to affect white working-class men or rural communities in “red” counties does not mean they are now confined, or will remain confined, to those demographic categories. They are American problems that also affect people of color and other key Democratic constituencies, and they will only intensify as intelligent machines play a greater role in our economic future.
A good campaign might also tackle foreign affairs and defense policy (long overdue for Information Age reform) without widening social and cultural fissures. Yes, we are confronted with substantive, thorny conflicts of interest among our people. This cannot be denied. But there are also truly national interests at stake that provide an ample basis for a more unifying politics. The candidate who gets it right might win big — and set an invaluable, constructive precedent.A good campaign might also tackle foreign affairs and defense policy (long overdue for Information Age reform) without widening social and cultural fissures. Yes, we are confronted with substantive, thorny conflicts of interest among our people. This cannot be denied. But there are also truly national interests at stake that provide an ample basis for a more unifying politics. The candidate who gets it right might win big — and set an invaluable, constructive precedent.
If, on the other hand, Mr. Trump’s successors refuse to speak to the whole of the country, it is only a matter of time before another irresponsible figure, right or left, will knock together a winning political combination based upon resentment and unrealizable (or irrelevant) aims. The specter here is neither neo-fascism nor green socialism, but demagogy and enfeeblement as it proves impossible to govern this country merely in the interest of ad hoc constituencies.If, on the other hand, Mr. Trump’s successors refuse to speak to the whole of the country, it is only a matter of time before another irresponsible figure, right or left, will knock together a winning political combination based upon resentment and unrealizable (or irrelevant) aims. The specter here is neither neo-fascism nor green socialism, but demagogy and enfeeblement as it proves impossible to govern this country merely in the interest of ad hoc constituencies.
When it comes to running a principled campaign, Senator McCain, in his own actions, was eloquent. At crucial moments in his pursuit of the presidency, he shunned divisive messages that might have helped him win. And when on occasion he did act opportunistically, he regretted it painfully — and said so.When it comes to running a principled campaign, Senator McCain, in his own actions, was eloquent. At crucial moments in his pursuit of the presidency, he shunned divisive messages that might have helped him win. And when on occasion he did act opportunistically, he regretted it painfully — and said so.
Senator McCain understood that campaigns themselves shape the electorate. A merely reactive politics that plays to existing prejudices is poison. In that sense, especially, his example is relevant to this moment. We truly do need a maverick, for business as usual is tearing the country apart. Mr. Trump has an instinct for divisive campaigning, but it is a widely practiced art, and his departure from the White House — when it comes — will not in itself repair the damage. We must demand leadership in place of gamesmanship from all of our candidates.Senator McCain understood that campaigns themselves shape the electorate. A merely reactive politics that plays to existing prejudices is poison. In that sense, especially, his example is relevant to this moment. We truly do need a maverick, for business as usual is tearing the country apart. Mr. Trump has an instinct for divisive campaigning, but it is a widely practiced art, and his departure from the White House — when it comes — will not in itself repair the damage. We must demand leadership in place of gamesmanship from all of our candidates.
Truman Anderson was the chief of staff to Senator John McCain from 2017 to 2018 and oversees the archiving of his Senate papers.Truman Anderson was the chief of staff to Senator John McCain from 2017 to 2018 and oversees the archiving of his Senate papers.
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: letters@nytimes.com.The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: letters@nytimes.com.
Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.