What The Heck is Wrong With The Harris and Trump Campaigns?

In a political landscape that feels like a never-ending episode of "Survivor," New York Time's critic David Brooks dives into the baffling state of American politics, raising a burning question: Why are the polls as immobile as a deer caught in headlights? And why has the political arena been a 50–50 stalemate for over a decade? 

You'd expect that with a barrage of events - scandals, debates, and viral TikToks - the numbers would shift from week to week. Yet, here we are, watching the Biden-Trump race remain as tied at a dead stalemate. It's as if the undecided electorate is collectively saying, "Nah, we're good," while clutching their popcorn.

The author points out that despite living in a nation where independents supposedly call the shots, they seem to be more interested in binge-watching reality TV than engaging with political drama.

Next, the 50–50 conundrum. Historically, one party would dominate, leaving the other to play the role of the heckling opposition. But now, both parties are trapped in a perpetual game of tug-of-war, with neither able to pull ahead. The article cites scholars Ruy Teixeira and Yuval Levin, who argue that both parties now play the role of minority party, refusing to budge from their entrenched positions. Instead of crafting grand visions for the country, they focus on each other's faults.

Somebody to Love

Trump has spent the last nine years focusing solely on rallying his existing MAGA supporters, without any effort to broaden his appeal. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has stuck closely to Biden's policies, presenting herself as a conventional Democrat without any significant deviations. Both parties seem to lack ideological diversity and have no viable strategy for building a lasting majority coalition. Why is that?

The author suggests that political parties have shifted from their original purpose. In the past, they were organizations aimed at winning elections and gaining power, with leaders working to expand their coalitions. Today, however, parties resemble religious institutions, offering their followers a sense of meaning, community, and moral validation. When this is your goal, it makes sense to adhere strictly to the established beliefs. You become so entrenched in your own ideology that you struggle to envision any alternative perspectives.

Historically, political parties were primarily run by elected officials and party leaders. Now, they function more like quasi-religious entities, with power resting in the hands of a "priesthood" - a diverse group of media personalities, podcast hosts, and activists who shape the narrative, set party doctrine, and define what beliefs are acceptable.

Preaching to the Converted

Today's political parties are like religious organizations, where the priests- those media-savvy thought leaders of the political realm - dictate doctrine. 

On the Democratic side, we find highly educated progressives, whose worldview often alienates the very voters they need to woo. For instance, while they fervently advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, the average American might just want to be treated as an individual rather than a statistic in a social justice spreadsheet.

Conversely, the Republicans are not without their own priesthood - think shock jocks and tech bros, whose rhetoric often veers into the absurd. 

Brooks' wit shines through as he suggests that both parties have become so introspective that they're practically running theme parks - Democratic Magic Mountain, and Republican Fantasy Island. Each party's metaphysics has grown so rigid that they can't see the broader electorate, leading to a political deadlock that has many Americans rooting for the "least bad option."

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This article was partly written with AI, as I can't write an article in one day.