As accustomed as we have become to terribleness in politics and current events in recent years, it may take a while for the American public to acclimate to the idea that not only can things change, they can — possibly? maybe? — change for the better. The world is very much still a dystopian mess, from Kiev to Louisiana (where the governor recently signed a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom). A virulent strain of right-wing extremism that hasn't seen such strength since the 1930s is still putting the democracies of the world very much in peril. But it's just possible that the light we're seeing as we peep nervously through the blinds isn't the headlights of a passing police car but is, indeed, dawn.
In France, following the rather daring gambit of a centrist, Emmanuel Macron, the right-wing extremists of the National Front have at least been denied control of the National Assembly. In the United Kingdom, a Labour Party that had, under Keir Starmer, taken several dance steps to the right, positioning itself staunchly at center, won its election in a landslide. And last week, President Biden, the Scranton street brawler, took a humbling blow on the chin for his country and withdrew from the presidential campaign.
So, Democrats, maybe Kamala Harris wasn't your number-one choice of candidate? So, independents, maybe you'd rather have a contender who better represents your views on Gaza, or Israel, or income-tax rates, or drug laws, or refugee immigration, or whichever policy most fires up your heart? Worry about that later, friends. Right now, our only job is to do what the French have done: Pull together to avert a takeover by xenophobic far-right extremists who embrace a vision of government that should chill any freedom-loving American to the bone.
Our job is to grab an oar and pull with all our might.
A week ago, we were locked in a stalemate, both boring and nauseating at once, in which two inarticulate old warhorses well past their prime stumbled slowly toward November with the polls split nearly 50-50. A week ago, the energy and fighting spirit had drained out of pretty much all of us, regardless of party, who don't support Trumpism but who looked ahead and could only see doom, gloom, and the destruction of an independent judiciary.
The reality of where we stand has become starkly clear. Viktor Orban, the autocratic nationalist of Hungary, is palsy-walsying around with Russia's Vladimir Putin, and President Putin is playing footsie with Kim Jong Un, and Kim Jong Un has found a B.F.F. in Donald J. Trump, who has nothing but X's and O's for the Saudi government that murders and dismembers dissidents. There is only one side to be on. That is the side of Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, who met in Prague last Thursday, and Volodymyr Zelensky. Which side are you on?
If former President Trump has the courage to debate the woman who appears set to be his opponent in November — and it's unlikely he will — at the other podium, standing to face him with rapier-sharp debating and interrogation skills, is Kamala Harris. That's something to get excited about. Let's go!