Introductions: The Most Important Election of Our Lifetime

There are several political banalities that are hauled out by candidates, pundits, and ad makers every cycle like clockwork, but the chestnut I had mocked the most mercilessly was: “This is the most important election of our lifetime.” This hackneyed phrase has been used so frequently, it’s become wallpaper in the background of our elections, something that’s there but we don’t really notice it anymore.

            I was not surprised to learn that the literal expression “most important election of our lifetime” was used as far back as 1936, and early versions of the phrase go back even farther to 1805. The vast majority of campaign ads peddle high anxiety, perceived deprivation, and implausible crises under the same umbrella argument: because this is the most important election of our lifetime you have to steal a cargo van, stack it with your friends and family members, and race to the polls to vote for the candidate who will save the day from whatever fear is being hyped. It’s the oldest political trick in the book, going back to the first elections in ancient Greece when the Athenians would vote whether they should get rid of the dude who was in power. If you think those ads weren’t negative then, I have some ostraca to sell you. Everyone thinks it’s the most important election of their lifetime when they are the ones running for office, but we can now see that in the past, and by “past,” I mean the 1990s, many of these elections were not very important. That didn’t mean the ads crowing their significance abated, just that their significance was highly exaggerated.

            Fast forwarding to the present, I am afraid that America has reached a political Mendoza Line and the 2022 midterm election looks powerfully important. I am not foolish enough to think that we could not drop below a .200 batting average (politically speaking), nor this is likely to be the turning point where elections suddenly become less essential. In fact, 2024 looms ahead of us like wisdom teeth extractions sans Novocain. But just because 2024 will likely bring a whole new world of discomfort does not negate the severity and the stakes for the 2022 midterms. This election is a humdinger, folks, and as far as importance? It’s pretty dang critical. Also, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but the tone of political discourse is alarmingly negative and getting worse by the day.

            I have always found solace in explanations, because making sense of the things that bewilder me feels comforting. This blog project will aim to do that.

            I am a political science professor at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. The opinions expressed here are mine alone, although I welcome constructive and articulate feedback. Each Wednesday I will drop a new, short blog post about our current political climate, seeking to piece together the answers to questions I am frequently asked: How did we get here? What are the consequences of our actions? How can we stop all the yelling? But most of all: Why is this happening? Spoiler alert: It’s all about the money, hence the title of the blog. Good democracy is bad for business. That’s why we are in real trouble.

            I look forward to your questions and comments. Engaging with smart people is my favorite part of research and writing, so please (as the scholar Madonna would say) express yourself. Also, I do not think I’m the only one with answers, so your thoughts are appreciated.

            Next Week  Polarization & Negative Partisanship: What they are and why is there so much of it today?