Normal is abnormal politics on a July 4 reading
George Will sketches Jon Grinspan's National Museum of American History exhibit showing how 19th century campaigns featured torch parades and high turnout while the 20th brought calm and lower participation. The piece traces shifts from public demonstrations to secrecy ballots and reflects on today’s political climate versus history.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jon Grinspan
Constitution Avenue
National Museum of American History
Abraham Lincoln
Ford’s
Lincoln
Charlottesville
U.S
Grinspan
University of Virginia
National Mall
Atlanta
Appomattox
James Garfield
William McKinley
Philadelphia
Republican National Committee
Cincinnati
Paris
History shaped by choices between aging presidents and hopeful successors
The letter argues that Hillary Clinton’s 2009 private emails and Comey’s 2016 reopening affected the 2016 race. It notes Joe Biden’s 2020 election and his re election bid at age 86, while contending alternate histories with younger candidates and debate dynamics.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hillary Clinton
FBI
James Comey
Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Democratic Party
Trump
Biden torn by path after debate and polls
Ted Vernimont reflects on Joe Biden’s political future amid a torn outlook. He contrasts a harsh view of the president with hopes Biden saved the country, while predicting a wide open nomination race and a possible Trump comeback in November.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tom
Joe Biden
Jill
Trump
George Washington
Donald Trump
Biden
Ted Vernimont
Coralville
Perfection is never on the ballot in this election
Norman Sherman argues that voting for a third party is wasteful as the two major parties diverge little this year. He warns a Trump presidency could threaten democracy and emphasizes the stakes of choosing Biden or Trump. Sherman notes his long political history and calls for decisive engagement to defend American democracy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Henry
Ralph
Jill
Harry Truman
Henry Wallace
Thad
Wallace
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
White House
Trump
Gaza
Mideast
Franklin Roosevelt
Civilian Conservation Corps
Truman
John Kennedy
Lyndon Johnson
Truman Library
Biden
Democratic Party
United States of America
Our Democracy
Also Mentioned on This Page
George F. Will
Wisconsin
Germany
Italy
America
George Will
Washington Post
Georgewill
Washpost.com
Community Letters
Ken Kent
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Clay Bennett
Counterpoint Media
Point.com
Norman Sherman
Hubert Humphrey
Doonesbury
Garry Trudeau
Litt
Mallard Fillmore
Bruce Tinsley
Surgeon General
Lisingl
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!