Thankfully, the election has come and gone. Once again, in spite of Donald Trump’s efforts, there will be a peaceful transition of power. Such transitions have made America the extraordinary nation that it has been, with a single exception, since Thomas Jefferson succeeded John Adams in 1800.
The 2020 election left us with many questions that need to be addressed, but that is an issue for a later date. For now, I am looking closely at what we can take away from the 2020 election.
First, far more Americans than ever took seriously their civic responsibility and voted. This can be attested by the very fact that in defeat, Trump received the second-highest vote total in history. Second, and also of great importance: In spite of all the problems it faced — a deadly pandemic and a president fomenting discord and disbelief about the electoral process — the election occurred with very few hiccups. For this we can thank those states which, in the past few years, have taken steps to improve the process; and to the hundreds of thousands of selfless American volunteers who dedicated themselves to the long and thankless hours it takes to perform the non-partisan tasks required of a free election. My hat is off to each and every one of them.
Another important take-away is that the American electorate clearly repudiated the chaotic, divisive and often illiberal four years of the Trump presidency. If that is not clear enough, consider that in spite of losing the presidency by over 4 million votes, there was no “blue wave.” The GOP will most likely retain the U.S. Senate and picked up seats in the House of Representatives. It was not, therefore a rejection of the Republican party, but rather a rejection of Donald Trump and what he has come to represent. This leads to another valuable take-away; the Republican Party remains a strong, competitive minority party. It will remain a major determinant in how we proceed as a nation for the next several years.
Another take-away is the dimming of the GOP’s long-term prospects. Shifting demographics and the ever-increasing urbanization of the country are challenges the Republican Party must face to retain its relevance as a major political force in American politics. Unless it can successfully tackle those hurdles, it will be difficult for the GOP, in the long term, to remain relevant, or it will go the way of the Federalists and the Whigs. The undeniable fact is more once-reliable red states are becoming swing states than have blue states. Georgia, North Carolina and Texas are trending toward the shift that occurred in Virginia a decade past. Without these states, it becomes extremely difficult for a Republican to win in the Electoral College. Without Texas, it is impossible.
Right now, there is no center-right major political party in America. The Libertarian party comes closest to filling that role as the GOP is increasingly under the control of the far-right in primary elections. Republicans must decide which of two opposing electoral strategies to which they will commit: the 2012 Republican task force’s recommendation of becoming more inclusive and moving toward the center of the spectrum; or doubling down on attempting to bring greater numbers of disaffected whites into the party? The latter strategy worked in 2016, but in losing eight of the past nine popular votes in presidential elections, the long-term choice should be crystal clear.
There is one more take-away of note. In the war on drugs, the states are waving the white flag. Legalization of marijuana and decriminalization of drug use was an obvious choice of the American voters.
Michael Adkins formerly was chair of the Hancock County Democratic Party. Send comments to [email protected].
