In 1789, for the first ever United States Presidential election, the decision of who to vote for was fairly easy – George Washington. Four years later, as the incumbent’s first term expired, it was the same thing – Washington all the way. Finally, in 1796, came what might be considered the first seriously contested election between two candidates. Their names were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Adams won but Jefferson would later achieve the office too. Both would be major figures in the young nation’s evolution.
There have been 59 presidential elections, some less star studded than the early ones but for each, voters had to grapple with making a choice. (In the early days, voting was done indirectly by choosing electors who would make the ultimate decision.)
What distinguishes a presidential election from all other American campaigns is that a complex system whittles the decision down to two candidates. (Yes, there are some minor party candidates too but they are never really a factor.) With there being so many issues (social, economic, international, etc.), it is easy, practically inevitable, for there to be something not to like about each of the candidates. In this election year I am reminded that in a nation of 178 million registered voters, there certainly must be hundreds of citizens better qualified for the presidency, but the pair of candidates we have to choose from are what circumstances have given us.
Despite all the glory of free elections, quite often the voting decision devolves to not who we are for, but who we are least against.
So, what do we do? How can we make the right decisions?
One option could be to vote by political party – the Democrats or the Republicans. Each represents a certain profile: The Democrat party tends to be more liberal on social issues; it is more of a party of minorities and unions and has more of an urban constituency.
Republicans tend to be more conservative, more White middle class and more suburban.
But neither fits the stereotypes perfectly. Some loyal Democrats do not agree with their party on abortion rights issues; some committed Republicans wish their party was more aggressive on gun regulation matters.
There is also the question of “single issue voting.” Of all the controversies that Presidents will face, is it fair to base elections on one or two issues, which will only be a small part of a President’s workload?
How about foreign policy? That’s critical, since the American presidency is so crucial to the global leadership, but those issues are more difficult for American voters, who are isolated from most of the world by two oceans, to fully grasp. Besides, the everyday lives of citizens are centered around where they live those lives. As former House Speaker Tip O’Neil once famously said, “All politics is local.”
How about making our choice based on which candidate for Vice President we like best? (Gulp!) Good luck.
Now comes a hard dose of reality: No offense but, our vote will not make much difference in the outcome. Because of the electoral college system, the American presidential election is not one big national vote, but 50 separate state elections all held on the same day. To win the presidency, at least 270 electoral votes are needed. In Louisiana, our vote matters only in determining which way the state’s eight electoral votes go. And if recent history, and the polls, are an indication – the state’s vote will go to the Republican ticket. A party can carry the state by a landslide vote or by a two vote margin; either way, the eight electoral votes go entirely to the winner.
There are a few “swing states” with more electoral votes and tighter elections; Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Arizona. They could tip the outcome so they are where the campaigns focus. (Note the lack of presidential campaigning locally.)
Even if we just flip a coin, on election day we can at least go to the polls and still feel proud of taking part in the process. We can also be thankful that we do not live in places such as Russia where Vladimir Putin was recently re-elected unopposed – or else.
A President does not rule alone. There is still the Congress (in which the current Speaker of the House and the House Majority Leader are both from Louisiana) and the court system. And then there are the 50 states, which can collectively influence the country’s direction.
Truth is, the actual act of voting every four years is only the tail end of the leadership evolution process. If we are so inclined there are many ways to be involved as citizen activists that could influence policies, and candidates, for future elections.
Ultimately, the nation shapes the presidency more than the the presidency shapes the nation.
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Have something to add to this story, or want to send a comment to Errol? Email him at errol@myneworleans.com. Note: All responses are subject to being published, as edited, in this article. Please include your name and location.
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