Joseph Sabino Mistick: Harris vs. Trump, love vs. fear
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As the 16th-century political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli said about the nature of political leadership in his treatise “The Prince,” “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” Being both is a tough act for any political leader, so most leaders choose one — love or fear. And that explains how the 2024 presidential election became a contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden is a tough politician, but he doesn’t lead with fear. A lifelong public servant, Biden put families first — children, the elderly, working moms and dads, the disabled, military veterans. His private tragedies have been suffered in public, and he has become the country’s consoler in chief, supporting all Americans in their own grief.
Because Biden has not led with fear, Democratic Party leaders were not afraid to have that tough conversation with him about stepping aside following a disastrous debate performance that created doubt that he could win a second term. It was all about the good of the nation and the Democratic Party — all the way down the ticket.
When Biden announced that he was dropping out on July 21, it was a remarkable decision for a world leader. It was his decision alone to make, and he relinquished power. When George Washington voluntarily resigned his commission as commander-in-chief in 1783 and said that he would return to his farm at Mt. Vernon, England’s King George III said, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”
As Biden’s vice president and running mate, Harris was the only real choice to lead the Democrats. Suddenly, as she showed the grace and savvy and good humor to be a real contender, the Democrats were back in the game.
Just as suddenly, Trump became the old man in the race, and the focus is now on his meandering public speeches, like when he rambles on about fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter from the movie “The Silence of the Lambs” and ruminates about sharks.
Here’s one example from a Trump campaign stump speech at a Las Vegas rally: “If the boat is sinking, water goes over the battery, the boat is sinking, do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted? Or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?”
Republicans would have rightfully howled if Biden had conjured up a fable like that, but they dare not question Trump on anything, no matter how bad he gets.
And when he does something that makes no political sense — like attacking popular Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp just before an Atlanta campaign rally — he is just carrying an old grudge.
The rest of the campaign will depend on which of these candidates can connect with the real problems of ordinary voters. What Trump has done so far has enabled him to capture the nomination, but he has also managed to convert an almost certain victory into a very close race. And he is no longer the favorite.
As we head into the Democratic National Convention next week, Harris has the opportunity to get yet another bounce in popularity as the voters get to know her even better and the candidates begin the sprint to the end.