Donald Trump’s liabilities were on full display at the debate with Kamala Harris. Lacking insight or command of the topics, he resorted to fiction, lies and even racist pet-eating conspiracy theories. To field a candidate of such poor character and competency, one wonders if the conservative news outlets have unwittingly undermined and weakened the party they profess to support. By serving as largely unquestioning propaganda media, they have allowed the party to be unaccountable.
When journalistic standards are set aside, unfavorable news is withheld, lies go unchallenged, or worse, are promoted, then the party and its candidates have no incentive to be better. It is like a toddler who is never disciplined. It says and does whatever it wants because it never faces any consequences.
In the absence of fact, “culture” has become the sole Republican platform driver. For those voters yearning for a conservative party grounded in reality, the only viable action in November may be to vote for Democrats in the hope that a defeat will encourage the Republican party to reconsider its modus operandi. The comforting fictions of conservative media, however, will prove a difficult habit to break.
— Mark Wolbers
Anchorage
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