Cliff’s Take: Inauguration Turmoil Underlines Rifts In Our National Fabric

I drove into my office this morning; it’s located in downtown DC.  And this is what I saw. All of the major throughways like K Street and Pennsylvania Avenue blocked off—looking more like a war zone than our nation's capital. Why? The inauguration of Joe Biden.

Cross section of 22^nd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue

This is the logical consequence of 2020, a year that brought to light the painful rifts in our society. In 2021, everything but nothing is different. If 2020 failed to convince, January 6^th, 2021 and its aftermath should have—America is a profoundly divided nation.

A presidential inauguration should be that rare moment when we reaffirm our collective commitment to the American experiment.  Yes, we might disagree on many things.  But, at the end of the day, we are all Americans – “E Pluribus Unum.”  This inauguration will be something different; the picture above says it all.  

Below are the key polling data points of the week.

1. Broken unity. Americans can’t agree on much these days EXCEPT that America is broken. Look at the data. Yes, we are proud Americans but even pride comes in tinges of red and blue. This is the unfortunate state of things. 

    

2. Rejecting the sideshow. It is hard to find any American that can get behind the chaos at the Capitol. Americans universally reject this ugliness. But there is still a simmering undercurrent that buttresses extreme behavior. Look at support among Republicans for citizen action to protect America!  What is meant by “act” and “protect”?  Our world today is shaped by the subtle, yet profound, framing of things. 

    

3. Version control. Impeachment 2.0 – no different than impeachment 1.0. Look at the numbers!  What more do you need? One year on and one pandemic later—everything but nothing is different.  Remember—197 Republicans voted against impeachment in both versions. 

    

4. Enemy of my enemy. We embarked on yet another societal experiment early in 2021 – social media outlets silencing a major political figure. What happens when private companies take on the role of censor in public life? In general, most Americans support  clipping Trump's social media wings. Republicans, less so. Let’s see how America ultimately digests this. 

    

5. Once and future king. For now, Biden’s star is shining brighter than Trump’s.  Look at the data.  But never count Trump out. Many Republicans would still back him in 2024.  Go figure.  You either love Trump or hate him. Parallel worlds; parallel elections; parallel presidents.  This is our reality today. 

    

Next week, like never before: be safe, keep sane.

For more information, please contact:

Clifford Young
President, U.S.
Public Affairs
+1 202 420-2016
[email protected]

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