Biden's Bad Poll Numbers: Harold Meyerson, plus Marc Cooper on Chile and Heather Cox Richardson on Democracy
Sep 8, 2023
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Harold Meyerson analyzes Biden's weak poll numbers and historic labor activism. Marc Cooper comments on the 50th anniversary of Chile's coup. Heather Cox Richardson discusses her book 'Democracy Awakening' and Americans' fight for equality
Trump's fusion of politics and authoritarianism was exemplified by his support for the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, validating and empowering extremist groups.
Trump's rewriting of American history, promoting a distorted vision of the past, fueled his authoritarian appeal and marginalized the voices of those who fought for equality.
Deep dives
Trump's Marriage of Republican Politics and Authoritarianism
Trump married Republican politics with authoritarianism, using language to divide people and give them someone to hate. He convinced his followers that they were being hindered by enemies, and adhering to certain rules would restore their control over society. This fusion of politics and authoritarianism was exemplified by his support for the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, where he validated and empowered extremist groups. Trump's rewriting of American history, promoting a distorted vision of the past, further fueled his authoritarian appeal.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Trump's Response
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and over a million deaths, Trump emerged from the crisis stronger. He blamed Democrats for the shutdowns, mobilized his supporters against perceived enemies like Gretchen Whitmer, and politicized the pandemic as a liberal hoax. This not only exacerbated polarization but also solidified his base of followers who believed that the Democrats were intentionally trying to destroy America. Trump's Operation Warp Speed initiative, which accelerated vaccine development, did provide a significant achievement but was overshadowed by his divisive handling of the crisis.
Trump's Distortion of American History
Trump's rewriting of American history, centered around a perfect past that could be reclaimed by adhering to certain rules, served as a cornerstone of his authoritarian appeal. His version of history ignored the constant struggle for democracy, marginalized the voices of those who fought for equality, and diminished the ongoing construction of American history. In contrast, the reality of American history is a democratic history shaped by the marginalized, challenging the notion of a perfect past and emphasizing the importance of progress and equality.
Optimism for the Future of Democracy
Amidst concerns about the future of democracy, there is optimism rooted in the resilience of the American people and the nation's history. Historically, moments of political turmoil and uncertainty have been followed by democratic rebirths and expansions of rights. The belief is that the American people, with their diverse backgrounds and commitment to equality, will not give up on their democracy and will continue to fight for its preservation.
Harold Meyerson analyzes Biden’s weak poll numbers, and our historic upsurge in labor activism.
Plus: September 11th is the 50th anniversary of the coup that overthrew Salvador Allende in Chile, ending 150 years of democracy there and putting the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in Power. Marc Cooper will comment.
Also: Every night, more than a million people read Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter about the day’s political events. We’ll talk with her about her new book, “Democracy Awakening,” and about the history of Americans’ fight for equality—she remains optimistic, despite Trump’s current polling.
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