Below is my column in Fox.com on the rising rage in this election. This week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul added her voice to the rage and said that anyone voting for Trump is “anti American.” Despite such statements, I found a reason to be hopeful in a brief encounter on my way to New York for the election coverage.
Here is the column:
When President Joe Biden took the podium in his hometown of Scranton, Pa., to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris, many expected a return to the “self-professed unifier” Biden from the 2020 election, particularly after his recent comments calling tens of millions of Trump supporters “garbage.” If so, they were disappointed when it turned out to be the “take him behind the Gym” Biden. Speaking through clenched teeth, Biden seethed that he wanted to “smack [Trump] in the ass.” Even with the Harris campaign alarmed over his costly gaffes, Biden clearly could not resist the rage. He is not alone.
This entire election seems to be a type of political roid rage. In my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,” I discuss how rage rhetoric and rage politics have long been part of our history. Politicians will often intentionally trigger rage to rally voters not in support of their policies but in opposition to their opponents.
However, Biden’s seeming inability to keep his rage in check is a common feature of this rage politics. As I wrote in the book, “rage is liberating, even addictive. It allows us to say and do things that we would ordinarily avoid, even denounce in others.” It is also contagious. Across the country, people are yelling at neighbors, tearing down signs, and even assaulting each other. What they are unwilling to admit is that they enjoy the rage. They like it.
As someone who has written about rage rhetoric and covered presidential elections for over two decades for different networks, I should be accustomed to these scenes. I am not. From the scenes outside of the Trump trial in Manhattan to the scenes outside of political rallies in Virginia, I find the rage depressing and deflating.
However, in flying to New York this weekend to join the Fox election coverage, I had a moment of real hope. I was driven to the airport by a man who told me that he was just months from his citizenship and how he and his wife were so thankful to soon be U.S. citizens. He came from a Middle Eastern nation where he long admired the United States for its freedoms, particularly the freedom of speech. Indeed, in his home country, he constantly ran into trouble with his government and was warned by his imam that he had to stop acting “like an American” by speaking his mind.
He could not shut up, so he decided to become an American instead.
He then told me how confused he and his wife are by this election. They love the United States and cannot understand why people are so hateful and angry. “It is like they do not understand what they have here,” he noted.
Listening to him over the course of our ride, I started to feel something that I had not felt in a while: real hope.
Sometimes, our truest citizens are found among our newest converts. As I discuss in my book, the problem with our democracy is that most citizens grew up in a nation where basic rights like the freedom of speech are guaranteed. They have never known the absence of such rights. This man and his wife have. They were not born here. They had to escape their country at great peril and cost to become U.S. citizens. They chose us and what we stand for.
They follow other great Americans drawn to these shores by something unique about this country. One was Tom Paine. The man who was credited with rallying a nation behind a revolution only landed upon these shores two years before the Declaration of Independence. His rocketing to fame with the publication of Common Sense enraged some, like John Adams, who viewed him as an unkempt, unknown rabble-rouser.
Yet, it was precisely Paine’s immigration that gave his words such clarity and power. He saw this emerging nation as unique for all of humanity, a nation where citizens could live free without the calcified social, economic, and political limits of the Old World. His voice resonated with this nation because it was so genuine and authentic.
I heard that same voice on my way to the airport. Sometimes, it takes the newest among us to remind us who we are to not only the rest of the world but also to each other.
I do not know what is coming out of that gate on election night. I have been there before. However, half of this country is going to be very, very upset either way this goes. What we need to struggle to remember is that this election does not define us. The rage does not define us. We defined ourselves almost 250 years ago and do so every day that new citizens like my new friend come to these shores. There is hope in who we are . . . even if we forget sometimes.
Trump won Walz’ home county; reminds me of Gore losing his home State of TN.
And much of Walz’ family joined to celebrate their support of Trump.
Sometimes God IS good!
Kamala, George Soros and the DNC overlords thinking that jumping into bed with neocons in general and specifically Liz Cheney, daughter of Dick Cheney, who killed more Arabs and Muslims than anyone else alive or dead was arguably the all-time most stupid and pathetic political move. Rivaling that was the Never Trump movement (the scumbag Lincoln Project, etc. Need proof? In 2016 5% of Republicans voted for the Democrat; in 2024 4%. The sole purpose of the NT movement was for several of its principal subjects to buy homes in the Hamptons, having amassed tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions by some of the most stupid humans to ever walk the earth.
Surprised the D’s are not insisting this morning that Biden is their duly-elected candidate. That KH was never legitimate. And that they demand a do-over.
Pretty sure a do-over provision is somewhere in 14.3.
Sam,
At their loss, they may attempt to demand, as Sammy and Fishstick claim, where as the facts dispute their claims of a so called insurrection, as provided proof here, Bombshell transcripts: Trump urged use of troops to protect Capitol on Jan. 6 , but was rebuffed
https://justthenews.com/accountability/watchdogs/bombshell-transcripts-trump-urged-use-troops-protect-capitol-jan-6-was?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=offthepress&utm_campaign=home
Clearly Trump wanted to prevent violence. Others were concerned about optics. And lest us forget the video showing Pelosie taking credit of her failure to secure the Capital building. I mean, facts.
It isn’t over yet. While the military has been authorized to shoot civilians, and Capitol Hill is surrounded by barbwire fences, drones, Apache helicopters, F-15’s, perhaps attack dogs, (no mention of landmines, or North Korean Army guards), all of which is most necessary to protect democracy of course, however and more to the point, the eviction notice is still in the mail.
* Yes,
Concession and their sudden acceptance of Democracy will make their parliamentary tricks more difficult. The people have spoken, a majority beyond question. Should they continue their subversive activities, it will be to their own demise. A majority will have no issue with the removal of a corrupt rats nest.
Watch Glenn Greenwald’s Wednesday show on Rumble. The show has video of some of the biggest, most well paid DNC operatives and “journalists” speaking about the cause of Kamala’s failure: Americans who are sexist, misogynists, racists, etc. The DNC is positively incapable of introspection on the subject of the cause of their losing. One person states that non-college degree white males are destroying the country. Joe Scarborough, his wife and Al Sharpton outright claim that Latins are sexist and misogynistic and that’s the only reason they did not support Kamala. The DNC and its operatives unanimously claim in unison that Kamala ran a superb campaign and none of the failure was her fault. That show was one of the top 5 best shows Glenn ever broadcast, a masterpiece ripping several new planet-size alimentary canals in the DNC.
Two years since Dobbs and it is no longer the electoral gravy train briefly enjoyed by the Dems, one which helped them keep the Senate two years ago but was not even powerful enough for them to keep control of the House at that time, when it was at its strongest. At this point, the electoral consequences of Dobbs are vanishingly small, particularly as (a) people realize that the issue is being decided at the state level largely in favor of liberalization, and (b) the abortion card was proven last night, and will be remembered, a weak play, taking second place to issues such as crime, the border, the economy, and endless war.
except that’s factually incorrect. Florida required a 60% vote. It obtained 57.2% for a very aggressive proposal. Had the Florida Dems not been idiots about it and suggested a more obtainable proposal, like 16-20 weeks, then the result would have likely been different. 7.2% in excess of a majority is hardly a “weak play”
I would suggest the opposite conclusion.
57% of voters voted for a fetal viability standard. Yet Florida ALSO voted 57% for Trump.
An awful lot of people voted FOR Trump and FOR less restrictive abortion.
Abortion post Dobbs is still an issue – but as Dobbs asserted – it is a political issue for the states and as we are seeing the voters.
As a result voters are deciding abortion independently of political party.
They are voting for or against abortion referda, and then voting for or against political candidates without regard for party.
Increasingly for abortion we are seeing direct democracy in action.
I think that the florida result is proper – not just for abortion but for most anything.
Voters should have the ability to override the decisions of their legislators, ut only if they can muster super majorities.
The Dems deceptively pushed both abortion and recreational use. Their spin on the subjects were readily apparent to most in their endless commercials.
The abortion issue anchored heavily on rape, incest and mother’s health. The recreational cannabis use on a closed market , providers protected liability and prohibition of grow your own. A 60% majority required wasn’t met, thank goodness. People know that these matters would be addressed logically regarding abortion, they also realize recreational cannabis use should mean throwing off government control and taxation. They saw through the trick of another sin taxation and a closed market from entities that bears no liabilities.
Life is a precious commodity from God. Live it sober and nourish it rather than killing it and distorting it.
Anyone running for national office bringing up abortion loudly proclaims they have nothing substantive to talk about. Abortion is over on the national level. SCOTUS returned abortion where it belonged all the time, at the State level.
It’s interesting that Will Durant, in his epic Ceasar and Christ states that even ancient Rome voted back and forth between making abortion legal or illegal. Nothing screams “Democracy!” like prohibiting people at the state level from making their own decisions on a subject about which the Constitution is silent.
While both blacks and women did not flock to Harris as expected.
One pundit made an observation that I thought prescient.
Women care about abortion. But they also care about their sons and daughters fighting endless wars.
It was a HUGE mistake for Democrats to feature “the gods of War” – the Cheney’s, Miley, Bolton, Krystal, ….
Mothers – especially working class mothers – some of soldiers, some of potential soldiers are not russhing to sacrifice their sons and daughters for NeoCon’s.
And younger voters – easpecially younger male voters, have atleast some concern about getting sucked into the endless wars of the neocons.
Obama made peace with Neocon’s – to avoid the fate Trump had in his first term, or having “the deep state” undermine him throughout his presidency.
He continued to talk peace, but he gave the neocons what they wanted.
Trump bet against Neocons and for voters. That hurt him badly in the short run. It nearly derailed his first term, it was a major factor in his loss in 2020.
But a major factor in his win in 2024.
It is highly unlikely the US will cut defense spending under Trump – the world is far too dangerous. A strong US military is a potent deterrence to war.
But the GOP has evicted the NeoCon’s and is no longer the party of endless wars.
I expect that change will last decades. Well beyond Trump.
That should be another conclusion from last night. Trump has reshaped the GOP.
The GOP has a clear coherent position on policy and the future, that is embraced by most republicans and republican politicians
and will be for the future. And it is attractive to the majority and likely to be even more appealing with time.
John
What derailed Trump’s first term was the Obama, Clinton, Comey, Brennan, Clapper and the deep state machine that subverted him at every turn. COVID unleashed upon us didn’t help either, those pesky bats…
Traveler, I agree – how is that different from what I wrote.
Obama – capitulated to NeoCons in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Clinton. Comey, Brennan, Glapper, … NeoCon’s or neocon adjacent.
Deep State – NeoCon.
One of the HUGE wins of this election is the complete repudiation of neocons.
The HUGE losers in this election are NeoCons, lawfare, and Woke progressives.
I am far happier about that than about Trump
Well said.
After almost 5 years on this blog, this is the first day I have not seen the forum clogged with comments by the draconian DNC Paid Troll, aka Dennis, George, Wally, Sammy, Gigi, pbinca, elvis bug, et al.
🧛☦️
Estovir,
Yes. Where are they? All their claims about how Trump would be in orange jump suit by this past summer. That Fanni would spank Trump’s fanni. All their lawfare have failed. That they had to change laws in order to “Get Trump!” failed. That the fact of the matter Americans reject their failed narrative. Americans reject their BS, their lies, their gaslighting. We see though their fascist ism and soundly reject it. We will not be controlled by the leftist Democrat elite.
Estovir–
Good call. What a pleasure. Maybe they have been fired.
Maybe the CCP doesn’t like to pay failures…
Exactly!
Perhaps where one goes so do the others.
Can’t wait until Kamala speaks. I wonder if the band will play “Song d’Automne” as the SS Democrat slips beneath the waves.
DEPORTATION NATION!
Trump projected to win even blue Michigan, where I have family. Reagan-esque sweep. The message from the American people could not be more clear: the globalists can take their Soviet bloc and shove it. The tone-deaf that don’t see that our freedoms are precisely what allows them to be so tone-deaf in the first place will see, and you’d better believe state’s rights will be their new badge of iconoclasm without a *hint* of irony or gratitude.
What’re you gonna do? There is no cure for stupid, and a dark heart is sometimes impossible to warm or lighten, and that is sad, prejudice is a poison that poisons everything it touches. May they enjoy the misery that they are most certainly entitled to entertaining in a free country. May we have a free world as well, some day. Meanwhile, the rest of us will make a world that works for everyone. 😊👍🏼😊👍🏼
James,
I think this was a message to the elites that we can think for ourselves, make our own decision and we see through their lame attempts at establishing themselves as our overlords. We reject them and their fascist ways. Their totalitarian attempts to under mind the Constitution. However, we may have won the day for now, I would not put it past them to continue to seek to under mind us and the Constitution. We need to keep watch at what other slight of hand moves they attempt. We need to keep them out of office and as influences in our lives.
Stay vigilant.
@Upstate
Very much agreed. I appreciate everyone here as brothers and sisters in arms. Thank you, Professor, for this gift you’ve given us. 😊
“Trump projected to win even blue Michigan . . .”
No longer merely projected. It’s now his.
So much for the D’s “Blue Wall.” He took all three, again. Now he’s at 292, and counting.
@Sam
Yes, and it makes it even more clear that 2020 was straight up boosheet. We did not have to be subjected to this; the modern left did it very much on purpose, with great planning and intention, and without an ounce of remorse or consideration. History will not look kindly on a single one of them that went along, IMO. Thank the gods we are not in the 1930s when we would have had no informational recourse. I am not one that favors retribution; can we please just move on?
No James we cannot just move on. Moving on without accountability is why we find ourselves in this mire of corruption, a tiered level of justice. If these politicians that gorge themselves on our monies, inside trading, lobbyists “campaign contributions “, speaking fees from tax funded recipients, all veiled bribery. They skirt and wordsmith our laws, accumulating wealth off the backs of the public. No James, stealing elections, weaponized government agencies has gone far enough. It must have accountability for their corrupt actions. They must nail som hides to the barn to show the wolves the penalties and the people justice.
House majority is still up in the air, so we aren’t home yet… Really surprised that Raskin apparently isn’t ranting and raving about an illegitimate election and refusing to certify. That may be planned for later, of course, but in that case, I would have expected him and his cronies to be laying the rhetorical groundwork right now.
* the House mirrors electoral. It’s been swept. Now let’s hope Trump is NOT forgive and forget. Where there was misconduct heads better roll. While Trump is bust with economy and peace worldwide he’d better have an honest and vigilant DOJ and NOT Barr or Sessions. He’d better move at lightning speed.