What the presidency is now reduced to is a question of damage limitation. We have one candidate who is harmless. And one who has the potential to do some harm, but also the capacity to do considerable good. One option is no risk and precious little reward; the other is high risk but possibly real reward.
I keep thinking of a famous moment in American political history involving two otherwise forgettable politicians. The 1988 vice-presidential debate was between the young and bumptious Republican Dan Quayle and the grizzled old Democrat Lloyd Benson. Asked about his political callowness, Quayle said “I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency”. Benson sprung the devastating reply: “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine.
Continue Reading on The Irish Times
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.