I am sure that not many were surprised at Donald J. Trump’s inability to answer the following question by Presidential debate moderator Chris Wallace in front of an audience of millions around the globe.
Are you willing tonight to condemn white supremacists and militia groups?” asked moderator Chris Wallace during the debate, adding, “And to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities as we saw in Kenosha [Wis.] and as we’ve seen in Portland [Ore.]?
As expected, Donald J. Trump fumbled yet another opportunity to partially redeem his image as an embattled figure. I am sure that there were many undecided voters seeking a reason to support Trump who cringed when he failed to definitively state his opposition to white nationalism.
Maybe, Trump deserves kudos for offering an indecipherable response that translated into unyielding support for white nationalist groups. Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Kamala Harris was quick to term Trump’s failure to denounce White Nationalism as “a dog whistle through a bullhorn.” In many ways, Trump’s response was akin to an open letter of support for white nationalist groups.
At this moment, no one, regardless of their political leanings, is shocked by Trump’s embrace of white nationalism. What Trump intended as a reminder to white nationalists should serve as a deciding-factor to undecided voters. There may be no more obvious reminder of Trump’s questionable character, priorities, judgment, and worldview.
If I were provided an opportunity to address undecided voters, I would remind them that character is an extremely important factor when leaders are being chosen. It is character that serves as an innate moral compass that equips them to weigh conflicting factors that impede the path to simple decisions.
After last night’s performance, there should be no doubt whatsoever that Donald J. Trump does not have the requisite character to rise to the occasion of leading the free world. I hope that undecided voters shudder at the prospect of such inept leadership and immorality residing in the White House for another term. In all likelihood, this nation will not emerge from such a travesty as the world leader that it has been for decades.
Dr. James Thomas Jones III
© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2020.