Stars and Strides

IF TRUTH BE TOLD, the two contenders in the US elections are getting boring by the day and viewers often switch channels when they appear. For Donald Trump, the solution to everything is throwing the migrants out and Kamala Harris cannot wait to change the topic to abortion. Ask any question and the two will have their answers pat.

They probably also realise their colours are bleaching out. So Trump showcases Elon Musk, and Kamala spotlights Liz Cheney. In Wisconsin, last week, Kamala presented Cheney, a prize catch, to the Democrats assembled there. Between 2019 and 2021, Cheney was the third-highest leader of the House Republican Conference.

Cheney also has a distinguished Republican heritage. Her father, Dick Cheney, was George W Bush’s vice president. After Trump took over the leadership, he put all ‘has been’ Republican notables in the who was who gallery. Trump’s camp even labelled Liz Cheney a “stone cold loser”. She has, therefore, reasons to chafe.

Cheney, along with Jimmy McCain, son of once presidential hopeful, John McCain, and Republican Ex-Governors Jim Edgar and Bill Weld, lead the newly formed “Republicans for Democrats” front. This body has over 200 members, many former Trump staffers. In the remaining weeks, this tribe will feature increasingly in Harris’ campaign.

Again, last week, Tesla billionaire Elon Musk joined Trump on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania. The venue was symbolic for right here, in July, Trump’s ear was nicked by a would-be assassin’s bullet. Musk reminded the crowd that Trump showed no fear and how, with blood streaming, he pumped his fist and shouted “Fight, fight”.

These words soon became the rally’s theme. By the time Musk got to urging the crowd to “get everyone you know, and everyone you don’t know, drag them to register to vote,” the gathering was pulsating. Trump too gave a good touch. He nonchalantly began with the words, “As I was saying…” to make slight of what transpired after the shot was fired.

Then on, it was Trump as usual, just as Kamala was, after she presented Liz Cheney. Musk, however, had a greater impact in Butler, Pennsylvania than Cheney in Wisconsin. On the other hand, Butler County was always solidly Trump even when Biden won Pennsylvania in 2016. Was Musk, then, preaching to the choir?

Harris and Trump sound repetitive because both are playing safe. They have dumped many of their earlier commitments. Trump first took credit for the Supreme Court’s nationwide abortion ban verdict. When he saw women on his side shifting to the fence, he said, instead, that each state, not the centre, make its laws on abortion.

On changing lanes, Kamala has more to answer for. She no longer opposes fracking for natural gas is critical to Pennsylvania’s economy and Kamala must win this state if she wants a shot at the presidency. Also, she has backed off from endorsing zero-emission vehicles and Biden’s Green New Deal to phase out reliance on fossil fuels.

Strangely, none of these seems to matter as this election has boiled down to just two issues: abortion and migrants. Harris fears being drawn into environmental issues and Trump hopes his wife Melania’s recently released biography, wherein she supports abortion, will not embarrass him. As of now, both need not overthink.

On balance, Trump is in a sweeter spot. His supporters are fine with his most recent spin that migrants are incorrigible criminals because their genes are bad. Kamala’s job is way tougher. Young Democrats, in particular, want her to stay true, water the gardens where green environmental issues grow and, yes, loudly condemn the Gaza bombing.

It is here that Barak Obama could help. From October 11, Obama will tour states to pump support for Harris. Very soon we shall know if Obama’s charisma can widen and firm up the Democratic base. For this he must graft in issues that excite young activists in New York and California. Kamala must certainly hope: “Yes, he can!”

Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene has devastated the southeast US and both parties are politicising its aftermath. But this catastrophe is not yet centrestage with voters. At the time of writing, Hurricane Milton, is all set to smash Florida. Can these high winds sweep away abortion and migration concerns to the margins? Or, like all ill winds, this too will blow no good.

About The Author

Dipankar Gupta

Dipankar Gupta is a sociologist. He is the author of, among other titles, Q.E.D.: India Tests Social Theory and Checkpoint Sociology: A Cultural Reading of Policies and Politics