A Speech of Consequence

 Americans reacted with shock at the assassination attempt on former President Trump. It was as if they had no idea that all the apocalyptic diatribes from the presidential candidates, all the belligerent rhetoric of other candidates and all the hateful social media posts would ever be translated into action. They ignored the fact that over eighty candidates for political office were killed right next door in Mexico during their recent presidential elections. We were all oblivious to the consequences of our portrayal of political opponents as enemies instead of as fellow Americans.

There are many groups around the country trying to dial down the political rhetoric. Several years ago I joined a group called Braver Angels (the former name of Better Angels seeming to suffer from copyright problems) that holds seminars and discussions bringing together Republicans (reds), Democrats (blues) and independents (purples). But these groups had a hard time getting heard amid all the angry shouting on the left and right.

But now it seems that things might change. People have known for a long time that we are heading in the wrong direction but thought that they were talking about our political leaders. Now they understand that it is us, the American people, that were heading in the wrong direction.

President Joe Biden gave a nationwide televised speech from the oval office calling for us to lower the temperature of debate and saying that we need to stand together. Unfortunately he also said, “the choice … that we make in this election is going to shape the future of America and the world for decades to come.” Such statements demean the democratic process and magnify the dire importance of choosing the wrong candidate. But there will be another presidential election in four years and we can change things if we realize we made a mistake. President Biden’s speech was not consequential. It will not result in any change.

Former President Trump also seems to feel that there needs to be a change in political rhetoric. On the flight to the Republican National Convention, he told reporter Byron York, “I basically had a speech that was an unbelievable rip-roarer. It was brutal — really good, really tough. [Last night] I threw it out.” Mr. Trump appears to have realized that, after such a rip-roarer only a few days after the attempt on his life, his MAGA followers would be out for blood, literally. The violence could have torn America apart.

Mr. Trump is rewriting his acceptance speech. I think he is still processing how his brush with death has affected his thinking. Mr. York wrote that when asked, “Does this change your campaign?” he immediately answered, “Yes.” One difference is that he invited former opponent Nikki Haley to speak at the RNC and she has accepted. Mr. Trump does not have much experience at being a unifier but his acceptance speech will be consequential. It could transform how the 2024 presidential campaign will be conducted as well as future campaigns. I am not a big fan of Donald Trump, but I hope he gets this one right.