Amid declarations of national unity following an electoral defeat, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden seem to hold an unease rather than the grace that typically accompanies concession. Despite assertions of peace and transfer of power, the undercurrent of resistance is palpable. The whole spectacle feels a bit like carrying a flag of truce with one hand while tightly clutching a dagger in the other.
The Democrats’ acceptance of the results does not signal a willingness to learn from their missteps or to move towards the majority held perspectives on national direction. Quite contrarily, instead of acknowledging the mandate given to Trump’s policies, Harris proudly declared continued partisanship, hinting at a continued fight on the very issues that led to their electoral downfall.
Despite the glaring defeat, neither Harris nor Biden appear receptive to the collective voice of the masses. In fact, they are already gearing up for another round of political tug-of-war. It’s a clear indication that they are choosing to remain tangled up in their own echo chamber rather than to listen to the pleas of an increasingly frustrated electorate.
Trust, the cornerstone of any effective leadership, is arguably a dwindling commodity in Washington, particularly in case of Biden and his fellow Democrats. Unyielding even in defeat, they seem rather intent on galvanizing the division rather than bridging it. It is a disappointing attitude which could potentially deepen the chasm in an already fractious political arena.
The Democrats’ stance on crucial issues such as border security reflects a dangerous naivety and disconnect from ground realities. Their stubborn resistance to securing the southern border is a stark reminder of the party’s refusal to tackle serious problems head on, which could likely result in further erosion of public support.
Trump seeks to use his renewed term to rectify national problems. But his attempts are expected to be met with resistance from a defeat-burned Democratic party. This resistance, rather than serving any developmental purpose, appears to be solely geared towards his undermining and potential obstruction, showing a petty and myopic view of national interest.
The first term Trump administration, with the backing of Republican majorities in the House and Senate, implemented essential policy changes like the landmark tax cut package. Unsurprisingly, this crucial legislation was passed with total opposition from Democrats, a reminder of their refusal to cooperate on policies that could benefit the citizenry.
The 2018 midterms ushered the Democrats back into control of Congress, and with it, the incessant impeachment drives against Trump intensified. A path of confrontation rather than cooperation, it wasted resources and legislative time. The Democrats’ implacable determination to oppose Trump translated into a failure to effectively address the nation’s key problems. This inability to prioritize nation over party was clearly noted by the electorate in the 2020 elections.
Achieving a semblance of unity or making genuine attempts to solve national problems demands a level of mutual trust. Trust, at present, appears to be nothing more than a charade played by the Democratic leadership, whose real intent seems to be perpetuating the divide.
Despite the defeat, Trump’s opponents predict an even more combative second term. However, one can’t help but wonder if this is more reflective of their own confrontational modus operandi. The narrative of an emboldened and unrestrained Trump appears to be another attempt to stoke fear and divisiveness among the electorate.
Trump, undeterred by the election outcome, seems determined to choose loyal and dedicated individuals for his team. This could be primarily driven by a desire to prevent internal challenges that may derail the implementation of his policies. However, this too has been spun as a negative by his detractors, painting a loyal leadership as somehow nefarious.
Joe Biden’s presidential term was marred by his inability to bridge the divisive political landscape, the very promise on which he was elected. His struggle to unite the nation has been nothing short of Herculean, an endeavor in which he has sorely failed. It begs the question: was Biden merely paying lip service to the idea of unity?
Indeed, Biden’s failure to deliver on his promise of unifying the nation, and his handling of his party’s defeat, have not gone unnoticed among fellow Democrats. With an apportionment of blame directed at him for the catastrophic Election Day performance, the cracks within the party are now starting to show.
Biden’s call to people to view each other as fellow Americans rather than adversaries seems to ring hollow, especially when viewed against his own divisive rhetoric. His appeal to bring down the temperature does little to conceal the polarizing attitude adopted throughout his term.
Reflecting on this whole episode, one could surmise that the narrative of unity propagated by the Democrats seems to have been nothing more than an elaborate ruse. It begs the question, can leadership that consistently promotes a divisive agenda genuinely strive for unity? Present indications, sadly, suggest not.