Election aftermath: Former GOP speechwriter from Tri-Cities to share insights at forum
American voters for the second time have failed to elect a woman candidate for president, rejecting Democrat Kamala Harris in favor of Republican Donald Trump.
It remains to be seen whether the election will bring further division among us and what it means for the future of America. Will Trump follow through on the threats he made during the campaign, or will he try to unite Americans as he said in his victory speech?
On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Columbia Basin Badger Club will feature political observer Peter Wehner in an online forum to help us sort through this election. He will offer his opinions on what happened and what we may see ahead. He also will take questions submitted online by forum participants.
Wehner, 63, is a lifelong Republican who grew up in Richland. He is a respected former speechwriter for three Republican administrations (Reagan and both Bushes) and an opinion writer for the New York Times and The Atlantic who often writes on politics and Christianity.
He’s also a longtime critic of former President Trump, whom he has called an “institutional arsonist.” He has said Trump has become increasingly unhinged while promoting un-Christian bigotry and wild conspiracy theories that have radicalized Republicans.
But Wehner has also said in the past that rather than vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president over Trump, he instead voted for a third-party candidate or not vote at all. We wonder how he voted this time.
Much of this column is being written before election day, but it’s evident this election could be one of the most consequential in our history.
This campaign was marked by Trump’s dark vision of what has become of the American Dream versus Harris’ optimistic statements that more opportunity and prosperity are ahead.
If opponents of Trump are correct, it could be the end of American democracy, legislation that could damage our economy, erosion of women’s rights and even more bitter division among us. Opponents of Harris believed she would lead the country toward socialism, open borders and unchecked social policies.
This election has, of course, been about more than the presidency. Congress has been effectively deadlocked by divided government and razor-thin congressional majorities since 2000.
The result has been largely stalemated administrations that have failed to address our most pressing issues. With a Republican Senate and — as of this writing — a potential GOP House, Trump may be able to push through legislation on a variety of conservative measures.
Meanwhile, state legislatures and even local governments have become in many cases the front lines of culture wars.
Wehner also will help us interpret the results of down-ballot races, which likely will be inordinately important to what we will see ahead.
Can government restore trust among our citizens, or will we further fuel the cynicism that darkens the American vision?
You can register for this event, which will include a Q&A session, at columbiabasinbadgers.com to receive a confirmation and links to join the Zoom forum and a half-hour “Table Talk” open-mic session afterward. Cost is $5 for nonmembers, while club members can join for free.
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 11:05 AM.