Readers disagree with our interns’ article Nationendorsement of Kamala Harris for president.
I am writing in response to “Kamala Harris doesn’t deserve it NationApproval” (TheNation.com, October 25) by Nationinterns of St. I’m probably about the same age as them, and I strongly disagree. The root of our conflict seems to be this: they see voting in a vacuum as an expression of their personal ethics. It is not so.
Someone will be chosen, and a person of conscience should choose. Either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will stand under the Capitol Dome on January 20. And these people – progressives (!) – don’t seem to see the difference. Or they just don’t care. They pay lip service to, “We know a second Trump presidency would be a disaster, but we don’t think we can vote our way out of this genocide.” This is actual support for Trump. We think he would be terrible, but we don’t want to vote against him, they say.
This is the Trump supporter that really impresses me. The kind that knows it will be worse. Worse for women, worse for people of color, worse for LGBTQ people, and worse for protesters. The millions who will be harmed by the Trump administration. Friends and neighbors.
I know the interns think Harris is bad. They are deeply, deeply saddened by the war in Gaza. Like me. But least of all those of us who live near you rely on you. The women and children of Gaza demand protection. But so are the women and children of America.
Mthe ark Kto read
Oberlin, Fr
The writer is studying at Oberlin College.
As a Palestinian American and a Nation A reader since I was 20 years old, I have never been prouder of this post. The inspiring editorial just published by her interns is the best I’ve read on the subject.
It sickens me that Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are spending my own tax dollars bombing children and killing mothers in Palestine. Sponsoring Israeli state terror, genocide, and ethnic cleansing suits a war criminal, but not a candidate for the presidency of the United States.
Harris’ reckless, stubborn and irresponsible decision to turn her back on her base and millions of “disaffected” voters, all of whom could have been her supporters, is outrageous and short-sighted. She has proven that her moral and political judgments and her leadership are all very flawed and has disgraced herself in the eyes of history.
Harris will have no one but herself to blame if she loses.
Tabout J.Vright
Auckland, approx
The writer is a trade unionist, political activist, commentator.
While the position of the interns is entirely understandable, as it is based on full sympathy for the thousands of victims of Israel’s unjustified and immoral aggression as a result of the gross overreaction to the Hamas attack on October 7 last year, it nevertheless displays a fatal naivete. He doesn’t even mention, let alone take into account in his moral calculations, the brutal attack by Hamas that provoked the Israeli response. It is obvious that the interns do not know what the word “genocide” means and are prone to hyperbole. Much more accurate is the war crimes of which Israel has been justifiably indicted by the World Court, with many more indictments to come. I strongly believe that Israel should face all the consequences for all the war crimes they have committed, just like Hamas.
By refusing to support Ms. Harris, the interns are playing right into Donald Trump’s hands. By solely blaming President Biden and Vice President Harris for all the death and destruction in Gaza and the surrounding region, they completely exclude Trump and ignore his future role should he become president — which he himself said in plain English , is to give Netanyahu the “green light” to “finish the job.” What do you think that means? Maybe a real genocide?
I am fully in favor of ending all further arms sales of any kind to Israel and, if necessary, all additional aid by diverting US humanitarian aid to Gaza. Over the past few years, as a member of our denomination’s investment board, I—and we—have voted and approved a policy that prohibits our investment broker from investing any of the approximately $10 million of our investment fund in any Israeli company that serves its military or contributes to the further construction of illegal settlements on the West Bank.
The interns clearly have no idea about diplomacy. Their position clearly demonstrates the natural ignorance of inexperience.
Thomas J. Presorts
minnetonka, pl
The writer is a psychologist and minister.
I am writing to express my gratitude Nation interns for their bold stance and inspiring call to oust Kamala Harris on her genocide record. I share their opinion and will cast my vote for Jill Stein.
Denthusiastic Ghatred
shaker height, o
The writer is a professor at Case Western Reserve University.
Although NationThe interns deny their naivete, politics in America is zero sum, either/or. Not supporting one candidate helps another. So Americans—certainly those interested in progress—must view politics through the lens of better and worse, holding fast to the belief that progress through politics is slow-moving through the collective efforts and—yes—stakeholder votes.
Had earlier progressives refused to support Abraham Lincoln because of his views on Native Americans, repeal might have taken decades longer. Had progressives denied Franklin D. Roosevelt’s internment vote earlier, America’s most significant expansion of social services would never have happened. Nearly 50 million Americans have health care because progressives didn’t drop their support for Barack Obama over his reluctance to support same-sex marriage. These men had serious moral lapses and made decisions that caused real harm – lapses that history rightly condemns. But progress has relied on even the most progressive among us choosing the best over the worst.
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The election before us is no different, except that at stake is no less than our democracy itself, with progress already made and the capacity for progress still needed. It’s also unclear how helping Donald Trump — the man who used the word “Palestinian” as an insult — will help alleviate Gaza’s suffering.
Once again, politics calls on stakeholders to choose progress over perfection, knowing that withholding support for the best candidate only empowers the worst. Progressives of the past avoided the vicious instinct to demand ideological purity at the expense of attainable progress. If today’s progressives fail to do the same, we will lose everything we fought for.
ithis GRoffman
Durham, North Carolina
The writer is a law student at Duke University.
I agree with these young journalists. But as an old guy, I sided with making or trying to make the most realistic decision.
If Harris is elected, we can organize and cause her enormous pain. I’m sorry to have to say this, but we have a lot of die-hard Democrats who don’t think well. In my 50-plus years in politics, I’ve learned that many Democrats are usually too often uneducated and can only be taught the hard way.
With Trump, if he is elected, he can be negotiated with. And by the time we’ve said our goodbyes and we’ve all left the room, he’ll be in breach of contract and laughing at how stupid we are.
With Stein, if elected, we can be in a better place. But in reality this will not happen.
If you live in Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona or Georgia and haven’t voted yet, vote for Harris and give democracy a chance.
If you live in a deep red or deep blue state, vote for Stein and help the Green Party build power.
After walking thousands of doors as a candidate, I’ve come to the conclusion that almost all Americans want to use “Oh, so you’re a Republican” or “Oh, so you’re a Democrat” to help them decide. They are simply too busy and many do not have much experience in politics. So they conclude that Dr. Stein or the other Greens cannot yet make their way into our political system. So they go with whatever mom and dad went to this or that party.
We in America are in a mess. Trump may attempt Coup #2 regardless of what happens on November 5th. We must try to save our democracy (as bad as it is) and that can only be done with a Harris victory. And then, through national organization, pressure and pain on the winners to force a change in the rotten political system that pushed us to this cliff.
BUzz Davis
Tucson, that is
The writer is a member of Tucson Veterans for Peace.
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We have already seen events that fill us with both horror and cautious optimism – throughout this, Nation was a bulwark against misinformation and a defender of bold, principled perspectives. Our dedicated writers interviewed Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders, exposed J.D. Vance’s right-wing populist appeals, and discussed the path to victory for the Democratic Party in November.
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