Friday, September 13, 2024

SojoMail - The question the debate moderators should have asked

SojoMail

This week: debate questions that went unasked, Harris on faith and abortion, and analyzing Christian nationalism in Latino churches

Woman wearing a red hat holds a blue banner in front of her body that reads

Winning Debates Is Subjective. Winning Elections Shouldn't Be

Adam Russell Taylor writes in this weeks SojoMail that people of faith should want a free and fair election — and candidates who agree on the rules:

If I’d been the moderator on Tuesday’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the first question would have been this: Will you accept the results of a free and fair election?

According to most political commentators, Harris won the debate, her first against Trump. Throughout the 90-minutes, Trump often appeared angry and unhinged, spreading a flurry of falsehoods while Harris appeared poised and commanding, often putting Trump on the defensive about his record. Both candidates repeatedly dodged moderators’ questions and spent significant time attacking their opponent; when Harris taunted Trump about the size of his rallies and his reputation among world leaders, Trump took the bait and responded exactly as we have come to expect: with bluster.

But while assessing who wins a debate can be fairly subjective, determining who wins the upcoming election can’t — or shouldn’t be. As we’ve learned since 2020, confidence in our electoral system has increasingly become a partisan issue, with over 70 percent of Republican voters believing that President Joe Biden’s win in 2020 was illegitimate, a belief fueled by the pernicious, big lie that the election was stolen due to widespread voter fraud. Changing these numbers and restoring bipartisan confidence in our electoral system will require real work — and leadership from our elected officials.

It will also require voters to care. Though polling shows issues like the economy, immigration, and abortion — not democracy — are among top issues for most voters, I believe voters, especially voters of faith, need to listen carefully to how Trump and Harris talk about the freedom to vote, the process of administering the election, adjudicating the results, and all the other rules that govern our elections. After all, how well we defend our democracy will impact every other issue we care about, including poverty, climate change, foreign policy, and so much more.

Which brings me back to the question I wish moderators had asked.


Advertisement

Catholics for Choice

Our Latest Stories


Advertisements

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Pacific School of Religion: Free Hybrid Series on AI & Christian Nationalism

Christian Nationalism in the U.S. threatens to undo hard fought progress on equality and justice. Additionally, the rapid development of AI raises concerns about its impact on the way we work and govern. PSR’s 2024 Earl Lecture Series, Disruptive AI, Christian Nationalism, and Democracy seeks to speak to the intersection of these forces.

Sharing Hope with a Meal

"As a way to share hope with farming families like Antonia’s, World Renew invites individuals and families to host a “Dinner for Good”. This initiative offers a meaningful alternative to dining out by encouraging you to gather with family, friends, and neighbors for a special evening at home." Read more from the latest sponsored article on our website.

Unsubscribe or update email preferences

Copyright © 2024 Sojourners. All rights reserved.
Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002
Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

No comments:

Post a Comment

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Author, speaker and activist Brian McLaren speaks up for the Earth

Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - Author, speaker an... : During a talk at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church,...