Prioritizing self-government in our elections
There are countless iconic images and moments from presidential campaigns in American history. Recently, I was reading an account of the 1968 presidential campaign, marked by tumult and tragedy. In some ways, we were much less divided as a nation, culturally speaking, but in other ways, violent conflict and divisions were more pronounced.
On many issues, Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy represented mainstream liberal Democrats of his era, but he also became disillusioned with federal poverty programs and centralized government power. This shift in thinking emerged largely from his visits to places like Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, and the slums of New York City during his tenure as a U.S. senator. One ad he ran during the 1968 Oregon primary stands out and reinforces many of the goals and objectives we have at American Habits concerning self-government and federalism.
It’s a short ad, which highlights the deeper ideals of self-government that made America the greatest nation in the world. We don’t hear much these days from presidential candidates about federalism or self-government, especially as so much of our rhetoric now diminishes to expanding federal handouts we can no longer afford.
While there is plenty of state and local focus in this issue of America Habits, we can’t ignore this year’s presidential race and we cover it with an essay from North Carolina State political science Professor Andrew Taylor and in an interview with American University Professor Emeritus W. Joseph Campbell.
Peter Reichard of the Sutherland Institute also offers an overview of past presidential elections and the links to today, reminding us that “there is nothing new under the sun.”
If you’re struggling to support the two major candidates, Bruce Edward Walker makes the case for an independent-minded candidacy, in this case being the late Blues Musician John Lee Hooker’s, interpreted through the music and lyrics of Ry Cooder.
I interviewed two state secretaries and it was a delight to speak with both Wes Allen of Alabama and Michael Adams of Kentucky. It’s evident most of our state secretaries are an even-keeled bunch and legitimately want to run clean and fair elections. Sec. Adams, a conservative, compliments Democrat state secretaries, calling them federalism proponents when it comes to elections.
We’ve featured competing pieces on ranked-choice voting to better help readers form their own views on the voting method. Matt Germer of the R Street Institute argues that it can give us a more local focus and James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation says that ranked-choice voting confuses and disenfranchises voters.
The John Locke Foundation’s Andy Jackson reminds us of the importance of state judicial elections and how they heavily influence the running and mechanics of Election Day, something not always on the forefront of our minds. “In 2024, judicial elections will be held in 33 states, with ideological control of several court systems in the balance,” writes Jackson.
James Dickson who is covering Michigan in this election for the New York Post offers the latest state efforts to implement a National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to maneuver around the Electoral College. I contribute a short editorial on a defense of our Electoral College system, agreeing with Alexander Hamilton who said, “If it not be perfect, it is at least excellent.”
American Habits looks at some of the political dysfunction in Illinois with the insight of an anonymous insider to protect his influence given that he consults and advises with top lawmakers in the state. We cover topics like residential flight from the state and budget process but also extrapolate some of the good from the Land of Lincoln.
For this issue, our local hero is Roy Stoltzner in Nevada. He ran for a spot on the Reno City Council and offers insights on why local solutions matter. Outside of politics, I found his work as a perfusionist one of his most interesting characteristics.
With the wisdom of George Washington as an example, Andrew Bibb gives us an essay on the importance of responsible civic engagement for voting and elections.
To have good governance at all levels, a choice of quality candidates during elections matter. John Hood of the John William Pope Foundation explains the importance of the NC Institute of Political Leadership (IOPL) which works to train individuals for public service. On a related note, I offer a piece on the differences between political show horses and workhorses.
We review a memoir by Wendy Davis of Utah who lost her campaign for a state legislative race by 77 votes. It offers plenty of insight into the toil of a local campaign and incumbent advantages. Another review is Phil Elwood’s “All the Worst Humans” which is quite an entertaining and disturbing account of the world of public relations. It offers lessons on how cynical and centralized power structures push many of our noble causes down.
Finally, I contribute my view of the 11 best books and films on political campaigns. Preamble-On for this issue includes Adlai Stevenson’s 1952 concession speech and a few key lines from Ryan Binkley, one of the more obscure 2024 Republican presidential candidates.
During his 1993 Presidential inauguration speech, Bill Clinton offered a powerful reminder: “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” Those words highlight the enduring strengths found in America’s foundations and its people. However, when elections increasingly focus on a single, all-encompassing, winner-take-all race, the consequences are deep and lasting. Regardless of the outcome, we all stand to lose something, which erodes the essential question American Habits is asking: “What is our capacity for self-government?” Recalling our last issue, it’s a great reminder of how much democracy and the centralization of power are at odds with each other.
