editorials
For president, Joe Biden W
e are in the midst of a presidential election like no other in our lifetime. Although the structure of the race is familiar — two major political party slates contesting one another, and several fringe competitors — the real focus in this election has little to do with the issues and policies that differentiate the contestants. Instead, we are in the unique circumstance where this presidential election turns on voter opinion of the incumbent, President Donald Trump, and whether he has the character, fitness, temperament and competence to lead us for another four years. We all know that there are those who love Trump, and those who don’t. That is to be expected in any political race involving multiple party representatives. But what is different this year is that even voters who otherwise might be sympathetic to a more conservative approach to government are weighing whether they want four more years of Trump, or whether they have had enough. We fall solidly in the camp that has had enough. We believe that a change
in presidential leadership is necessary for the good of our country, and for the continuation of our democratic system of government. We are not unaware that in nearly four years in office, Trump has accrued several accomplishments — many of which are particularly appreciated by members of our community. And we acknowledge that, in the process, Trump has been remarkably faithful to his base and has delivered on many of his campaign promises. But that is all beside the point. That’s because irrespective of our views on each of the policy issues, we cannot ignore Trump’s frightening character flaws and inclinations that have infected his presidency. The concerns are many, and each is significant. Trump’s narcissism, isolationism, fearmongering and promotion of hate and demagoguery reflect a troubling combination of personality flaws and political tactics that are unbecoming of the leader of the free world. His inability to engage civilly with opponents, wholly uninformed
Barrett is qualified J
udge Amy Coney Barrett is impressive. She is intelligent, articulate, confident and poised, and performed well in her public testimony over several days of lengthy proceedings last week before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Barrett has served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit for the past three years. She has outstanding credentials, and is President Donald Trump’s nominee to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat held by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her nomination, hearing and anticipated Senate vote have been rushed by the administration and its Republican allies in an effort to seat Trump’s third Supreme Court pick before next month’s election. 22
Baltimore Jewish Times October 23, 2020
In an unusual year marked by the chaos of the coronavirus and the heightened political posturing prompted by the impending national election, the Barrett nomination process stands out as a naked power move by politicians in a position to effect their will. And they have every right to do so. But it was the political reality of the Barrett hearings, and the opposition’s recognition that Republicans have the votes to elevate Barrett, that resulted in actual “questioning” at the hearing to be very limited. Instead, most of the time was spent by senators (on both sides) making speeches and pandering to their base, only asking questions designed to underline a particular political point.
rejection of science and medical guidance, and unrepentant disregard for the truth leaves voters with little choice but to consider alternatives. Finally, Trump’s disdain for process, disrespect for historic international and domestic governing structures and procedures, moody unpredictability and flip-flops on policy issues, incessant public criticism of those with whom he disagrees — including his own administration’s leadership — and cavalier practice of governing by tweet, all contribute to the perception that Trump’s world is untethered from reality and places our government and each of us at risk. Trump’s America is not the America we want. Fortunately, we have a quality alternative. Joe Biden is a decent, kind and caring human being, a longtime friend of our community and a steady presence and experienced hand who can restore civility, kindness and compassion to our domestic discourse and who can Please see President, page 26
Not surprisingly, Barrett refused to take the bait. She was disciplined in her responses, yet polite and unemotional in the face of repeated challenges and attempted provocation. There’s a lot at stake. As another staunchly conservative justice on the Court, Barrett could pull decisions away from the 5-4 seesaw of recent decades and set it firmly on the conservative side. Democrats fear that could spell the end of the Affordable Care Act and return abortion rights to the whim of state government, where they were half a century ago. Politics aside, there were revelatory moments during the hearings. On the Please see Barrett, page 26
