The Discord in Presidential Elections

In the wake of the riots of Jan. 6, 2021 and on the National Day of Memoriam for Jimmy Carter (today, Jan. 9, 2025), we reflect on the history of presidential elections and dissect where political tensions began.  
Fake news is nothing new! It began hundreds of years ago as a tool to knock down political oppositions. In this episode, recorded 3 days before the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Bruce outlines how partisan campaigns throughout history use those tensions to deepen wedges between political lines.   

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ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

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Transcript

DISHARMONY IN ELECTIONS

Welcome Patriots to this episode of Common Sense for America. As I speak, we are three days from the 2024 presidential election day. This has been one of the most divisive elections in modern history, and according to Gallup's latest polling, American trust in our electoral system has hit historic lows. Just 27% of Americans say they have a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in our election process.  Think about that - nearly three-quarters of your fellow citizens have lost faith in the very foundation of our democracy.

Even families are arguing at home over their choices for president. A recent Pew Research study tells us that 45% of Americans have stopped talking to someone about political issues due to disagreements.  How many of you have experienced this in your own families?

[Historical Context - Building Connection]

You know, when people tell me this division is unprecedented, I remind them of something remarkable. Our nation was born at a time when only one-third of the population supported independence. One-third didn't care either way, and one-third wanted to stay with the British monarchy. According to historical records from the Continental Congress, winning the revolutionary war wasn't just a military miracle - it was a miracle of political unity in the face of stark division.

[First Era - Washington's Impact]

George Washington, being the most popular figure in America at the time, could have declared himself king or dictator. Instead, he did something extraordinary - he defined the role of the President through restraint and wisdom. The National Archives tell us he remains the only president in history to win unanimous Electoral College victories - all 69 electoral votes, twice. Historians believe he could have done it a third time if he'd wanted to.

[Early Warning Signs]

During his second term, Washington warned us about something we're seeing play out today. In his farewell address - and I encourage every American to read this document - he specifically cautioned against the formation of political parties. He believed they would lead to exactly what we're experiencing now: division, disharmony, and loss of national purpose.

[First Major Division]

But by 1796, we saw exactly what Washington feared. Two political parties emerged: the Democratic Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and the Federalist Party led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. Now, you might think these men, who worked together to write both the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, would have run a clean campaign. [Pause] You'd be wrong.

The Library of Congress archives show us that newspapers controlled by each party printed what we'd now call "fake news" - uncorroborated rumors and outright lies about both candidates.  Sound familiar to anyone watching today?! According to recent Pew Research data, 64% of Americans say they can't tell the difference between good journalism and false information.

[Historical Drama]

The election results were stunning. Adams won in the electoral college by just one vote more than required. Jefferson became Vice President because he received the second most votes. Imagine that today - having the winner and runner-up serve together in the executive branch.

[Build to Crisis]

Then came the election of 1800. According to official records, Jefferson and Aaron Burr each received exactly 73 electoral votes.  This wasn't just close - it was a perfect tie for the presidency. Burr's betrayal of Jefferson, claiming his own right to be President, led to our first major constitutional crisis.

[The Hamilton Factor]

Alexander Hamilton, despite his deep disagreements with Jefferson, made a crucial choice. His personal letters, preserved in the Library of Congress, show he believed Jefferson was "the lesser of two evils." The House of Representatives ultimately chose Jefferson as President, with Burr as Vice President.

[The Ultimate Price of Division]

But the story doesn't end there. According to historical records, Hamilton's continued opposition to Burr in New York led to that famous duel in Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton, known to be an excellent marksman, deliberately fired into the air. Burr took deadly aim. Political division had turned to personal vengeance, costing Hamilton his life.

[Civil War Era]

Fast forward to what many consider our nation's darkest hour - the election of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Electoral records show Lincoln won in 1860 with just 39.8% of the popular vote in a four-way race. Think about that - less than 40% of voters chose the man who would go on to preserve our Union.

[Modern Era Begins]

Now let's jump to 1960 - the Kennedy-Nixon election. According to Federal Election Commission data, Kennedy won by just 112,827 votes nationally - a margin of 0.17%. That's about the population of a small city determining who would lead a nation of 180 million people.

[Media's Role]

The Smithsonian records tell us something fascinating about that election. People who listened to the first Kennedy-Nixon debate on radio thought Nixon won. Those who watched on television favored Kennedy.  How many times today do we see different media outlets telling completely different stories about the same event?

[Modern Media Trust]

Speaking of media trust, recent Gallup polling shows just 34% of Americans trust mass media to report news "fully, accurately and fairly." That's one of the lowest numbers in polling history.

[Solutions]

So how do we fix this? First, we need uniform rules for federal elections across all states. Currently, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, we have 50 different sets of election rules. Let me outline five crucial changes we need:

[List spoken conversationally]

We need to ensure only eligible citizens can vote. We need primarily in-person voting with strict one-person, one-vote enforcement. We must require proper identification - whether that's a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID. Absentee ballots need the same verification process, with clear deadlines. And we must end ballot harvesting - no one should be delivering votes for another person.

[Building Trust]

Recent polling from the Pew Research Center shows 90% of Americans support requiring all voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote. That's not partisan - that's common sense.

The presidential election is only three days away. What happens when the polls close? Will we see a clear winner acknowledged, or will we face more division and discord?

[Looking Forward]

Whatever happens, remember this: our nation has survived deeper divisions before. From the Revolution through the Civil War, from disputed elections to assassination attempts, America's democracy has proven remarkably resilient.

[Closing]

Please discuss these ideas with your friends and colleagues. Listen to their views. Our nation's healing starts with each of you. Share your thoughts with us on our website. We love hearing from you.