The 2012 presidential campaign's turn away from the classic, straight-up, American election - where the candidate who gets the most votes nationwide wins - is another sad reminder of the extreme political polarization distorting today's politics. No one talks about a 50-state strategy for winning the presidency these days.
This quote highlights a shift in American presidential campaigns from traditional nationwide popular votes to a more polarized and strategically fragmented approach. It underscores concerns that extreme polarization hampers unified national campaigns and promotes regional or sectional priorities over a cohesive electoral strategy. Such a trend could weaken the foundation of American democracy, where the principle of the candidate with the most votes winning is fundamental. The focus on state-by-state strategies reflects a fragmented political landscape, risking increased polarization and decreased national cohesion. Recognizing this shift prompts discussions on how electoral processes can be preserved to maintain fairness and the core democratic principle.
---Juan Williams---
