The mainstream media has stressed party division by both Democrats and Republicans in search of increased ratings. It’s easy to understand why the GOP continues to remain fractured, but a little more difficult to analyze Democrats.
I continue to believe that the Democratic primary season was beneficial for the party. Bernie Sanders’ supporters displayed an enthusiasm rarely seen among Democratic voters. His ideas were embraced by millions of Americans, including myself. Many have been written into the party’s platform. But in the final analysis, it was important that Hillary Clinton became the party’s nominee.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle have been moving farther to the right. However, extremism forces governments to become dysfunctional.
The Republican Party is already broken beyond repair. It is the result of poor leadership and a lack of direction. With the success of Donald Trump, the damage is permanent and irreversible.
Bernie Sanders’ most extreme supporters would have moved the Democratic Party too far to the left. The American government only works when moderates are in control. Failing to deliberate and find compromise results in gridlock.
When President Obama spoke at the Democratic Convention, he set the tone for the entire party. There are many who believe that he literally stole the foundation of the Republican Party.
“American exceptionalism and greatness, shining city on hill, founding documents, etc.—they’re trying to take all our stuff,” tweeted National Review Editor Rich Lowry. “Take about five paragraphs out of that Obama speech and it could have been a Reagan speech,” said John Podhoretz, editor of Commentary. “Trust me. I know.” (Podhoretz is a former Reagan speechwriter.) “Watching Democrats talk about America the way Republican candidates used to talk about America,” lamented Tony Fratto, former deputy press secretary to George W. Bush.
The two Conventions could not have been more different. Republicans failed to speak about the issues, favoring attacks, and painting a dark portrait of America’s future. Democrats celebrated the diversity of America, and how Hillary Clinton would repair America’s problems. They predicted a bright future for our nation.
Although a small number of Sanders’ supporters walked out of the convention in protest; they were no loss. They lost sight of what the election is all about; who will address the issues important to the majority of Americans.
Less than 100 days remain until the election. Democrats must, and will, unite to defeat Trump and place the presidency in the hands of the most qualified presidential candidate in history.
The Republican Party must search for leadership. Reince Priebus, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and Paul Ryan lack the ability to move the GOP in a new direction; a forward direction into the 21st century. Not only Trump, but other Republicans who fail to support the party’s principles and ideas, such as Ted Cruz, Steve King, and Mike Lee must be ousted. They are not true Republicans; they are reactionaries who lack the ability and desire to govern our nation.
I have great admiration for Senator Sanders. He has been a stalwart supporter of the working class throughout his service to our nation. Most of his supporters understand the importance of a presidential election, and that disappointment must not turn into anger and denial.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
The Truth With No Restrictions 