In recent U.S. presidential elections, there has never been an example of candidates openly showing such hatred toward their opponents. It can be said that the low-level debate speaks volumes about the deterioration of U.S. politics.
Incumbent President Donald Trump, a Republican, and former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate, held a TV debate for the November presidential election. It was the first time for the two candidates to engage in a direct debate, but it did not lead to policy debates due to so many personal attacks and one interrupting the other while speaking.
Trump put more emphasis on denigrating Biden than on explaining the achievements of his first term as president. Mentioning Biden's more than 40 years of political experience, including as vice president and as a senator, Trump said dismissively, "You've done nothing," and criticized his family for their behavior as well.
Trump's constant nagging, without heeding the moderator, was no different from his style of speaking at supporter rallies, and totally lacked the quality of a president. Trump apparently intends to continue his reelection strategy to strengthen the unity of his supporters by inciting confrontations with his opponents.
Trump claimed that he had reduced the number of deaths in the United States caused by the novel coronavirus through his own measures, leaving the responsibility for the spread of infections at China's door. He definitively attributed the turmoil triggered by violence inflicted on black people by white police officers to a "left-wing" movement.
Also, as to the nomination of a U.S. Supreme Court justice, Trump hurried to expedite the procedure to fill the vacant post, which has further intensified confrontation between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.
What should be asked in the presidential election is whether Trump's politics, which encourage such division, should continue.
Biden pursued Trump's responsibility, saying that the president "panicked" because he had no plan to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Biden also described Trump as the "worst president America has ever had," and labeled him a "racist."
The differences between the two candidates in their views on coronavirus measures and racial issues are directly reflected in their supporters. It will not be easy for Biden, who advocates national reconciliation, to win over Trump supporters and bridge the gap.
In the presidential election, it is likely to take a long time to count the ballots, as the number of mail-in ballots will increase due to the coronavirus disaster. It is important to smoothly facilitate casting and counting of votes and decide the winner as soon as possible.
During the debate, Trump also raised the possibility of fraud in mail-in ballots and refused to say whether he would accept the election result. The president himself must refrain from denying the credibility of elections, which are the basis of democracy.
If confusion over casting and counting of votes is prolonged and a power vacuum is created, it will affect the entire world. Trump should be aware of its significance.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Oct. 1, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
