The Democratic Party has long been telling us that a possible Trump Restoration constitutes a State of Emergency. But they don’t really mean that. It was, apparently, mostly just talk.
At least the D’s don’t seem to be acting as if a potential Trump triumph in November, along with down-ballot losses in the Senate and House, require anything like all-hands-on-deck and man-your-battle-stations response. Nothing like “in the face of this threat personal and factional agendas must be, for the time being, set aside. Sacrifices must be made.”
But then “States of Emergency” don’t seem to be what they used to be or what you might think the words would imply.
Seattle declared homelessness to be a “state of emergency” in 2015, nine years ago, without notable impact on the problem. True, a Regional Homeless Authority was created and a lot of money spent. But, at least in our part of Seattle, homelessness looks about the same. And downtown Seattle continues to be a place to avoid.
If the D’s response to the Trumpian Emergency is to boost Kamala Harris to the top of the ticket, that would be another indication that they don’t think we’re facing anything all that serious. There’s certainly a lot more talk about Harris replacing her boss. But that strikes me as the “it’s her turn” thinking that gave us Hillary Clinton’s failed candidacy in 2016.
Or it’s the continuing triumph of identity politics, wherein electing “the first” of this or that group is what it’s all about and in itself a sufficient accomplishment. You don’t need to actually do the job, just “represent.”
Back in 2022 Tom Friedman called for a 2024 “National Unity Ticket” made up of Joe Biden and Liz Cheney. Now something like that that would signal real seriousness. But no one is considering anything even close to that.
Hyperbolic language can come back to bite you. Pretty much the moral of the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”
And yet hyperbole and the language of crisis, catastrophe, and apocalypse have become the norm. The effect of it all is that we may not be able to tell the difference between a real but manageable problem, an important challenge, and a true crisis, not to mention a genuine state of emergency.
My hunch is that the real effect of our all-too-ready resort to extreme language is exhaustion and apathy. If everything is “a crisis,” then nothing is a crisis.
So I guess Trump’s re-election won’t be that big of a problem after all? I beg to differ. Exhibit A: the Supreme Court.
Does it concern you that the “national emergency” we face due to Joe Biden’s declining health is viewed first through the lens of politics, and not from a big-picture
focus on the health of the nation and our national security? No more “Mr. Nice Guy” designations for a President who split open the southern border and now refuses to go because, well, who wouldn’t want to be the most powerful man in the world? No more pretending that beating Donald Trump justifies any shenanigans his enemies can muster. I. for one, am ready to pass the torch to a new generation…
It’s true the Democrats have a long history of swinging the wrecking ball the wrong way, but at the same time, removing Biden from the race would not help the party in any way.
With Biden, the party is about as united as it’s ever been. Getting the party united behind anyone else in the very short time available just isn’t going to happen.
Well said!
I am not excited about either of the elderly white guys running for president. The current Geezer in-chief at least has empathy and a moral compass vs. the Geezer who spews hate and division, practices adultery, insults military heroes like John McCain and people with disabilities, and uses profanity in speeches to make a point. I’m goin’ with the current Geezer and hoping for the best in 2028.
Good call on hyperbolic language! I lived in a emerging economic (aka poor/unstable) country YEARS ago and quickly learned to dial down my assessment of highly emotive/hyperbolic language/characterization. I think this has everything to do with living through crisis after crisis and emotional dysregulation that ensues. It’s a terrible pattern to perpetuate a malleable reality.
Great call out to the Dems on walking their talk. There was a ton of angst during midterms just two years ago and after everything Dems walked away looking much better than their own dire predictions. Political strategy/consultancy is a huge industry that continues to tap into our fears to fund their livelihoods and it is frankly exhausting.