American politics remains broken

The debate around what happened during the election is always fertile fighting ground in its immediate aftermath. Different factions jockey for credit and absolution in the spasm of instant analysis that is usually as delusional as the predictions made beforehand.

American politics was broken before the Tuesday election. It remained broken on Wednesday morning. The MAGA extremist threat did not dissipate by failing to achieve its aims. The GOP/MAGA class of 2022 was a dangerous group of unfit extremists that has no parallel in modern American history. Collectively, their presence on US ballots from sea to shining sea amounted  to indisputable evidence of national decay irredeemable cynicism, factionalism and cowardice.

Herschel Walker’s candidacy is the living embodiment of George Washington’s farewell warning. Most of these extremist candidates were very narrowly defeated. It was razor thin. This line will not hold forever. It is an astonishment to see Democrats claim credit for a great victory over the extremists who are fueled by their condescension, incompetence and ideological obtuseness.

Instead of boastfulness, this should be an occasion for the deepest humility and gratitude that the “red wave” did not materialize. That it didn’t is the result of the wisdom of the American people, not the genius of the Biden White House, Chuck Schumer or any other arrangement of Acela corridor insiders seeking credit. It is as delusional as it is obnoxious.  

Yet, there is something that is perfectly clear from the results that must be celebrated. Something happened on Tuesday night — with few exceptions — that should be a cause for great national joy and reflection. Most every single candidate, including all of the cynics and conspiracy theorists who became complicit in Donald Trump’s lies, sedition and madness conceded their elections.