Well! The last month has been very interesting for the Presidential race.

So far, the 2024 campaign has been like no other in American history. We started off with a so-called debate, with a barrage of un-factchecked Trump lies on one side and on the other side, an unwell and tired Joe, having just come from a successful NATO summit, totally stumped in disbelief and unable to react.

That began the gradually accelerating concern from Democrats for Biden’s ability to continue his campaign. Even though Biden himself felt he could do it, and his subsequent press conference on NATO and other appearances showed him in a better light, the calls for him to end his campaign grew. Then, the next thing happened.

Quiet, rural little Butler, Pa., was traumatized by a rally visit from Donald Trump, and the result was a sacrifice of someone very important to its community, a firefighter. Two others were wounded.

Corey Comperatore died a hero, protecting the family he brought to the rally. This shouldn’t have happened. He was a staunch Trump supporter by all accounts, that’s what put him in harm’s way, and that reason alone was a sad, unfortunate cause for his death.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle took the blame for the shooting and resigned, so there’s another life that was ruined by that rally. The FBI is investigating. I believe the Secret Service is over-extended. They have to rely on the local police force to assist and that causes gaps in communication and coverage. It would help if the Trump team wouldn’t pick such vulnerable locations. Now Trump says he’s going back to Butler again. Please, haven’t those folks suffered enough?

A recent Gallup poll found that 56% of American adults want stricter gun laws. This has been consistent over the past decade, including the Trump years when nothing was done.

Finally, in June of 2022, President Biden signed into law the Safer Communities Act, the first federal gun safety legislation in 30 years. It’s a start.

You would think, just like we did when a deranged individual shot Steve Scalice, that this shooting in Butler would certainly turn the tide in favor of more gun regulation, one of their own being targeted. But instead we get a grazed ear (the FBI investigation may determine whether it was a bullet or a piece of teleprompter that caused it) leading to the latest MAGA craze, supporters going around sporting gauze pads on their ears (or folded tissue, or whatever).

I am not one who wants anyone to be harmed by gun violence, even Trump. I am part of the party that wants to do something to reduce gun violence. Some reactions to the Butler shooting have been extreme, and not at all proper. Some supporters think he’s the messiah already, what would his martyrdom create?

Next, we had to witness, even on MSNBC, the spectacle of the Republican National Convention, with the Guilfoyle yelling, the Kid stomping, the Hulk ripping, and the “fight, fight, fight” fists raising. WWF never did it better. We were introduced to the running mate, JD Vance (or Shady Vance). We can do nicknames too. How convenient for sign economy, MAGAs can just cover PE with VA and you are all set.

A venture capitalist with a sad childhood which he blames on Appalachia where people actually do lack food, housing, medical attention, and proper education. Instead of helping those folks, he has profited off them. His positions go right along with the Project 2025 manifesto, produced by billionaires to promote their antiquated view of society, to restrict freedoms and install an authoritarian who will be under their control.

Trump, desperate for money to pay his fines and finance his campaign (and stay out of jail), caters to them. For example, to court the donor who is behind Vance, Trump has added an endorsement for the donor’s favored candidate, thereby endorsing both Republican candidates in an Arizona primary race. So they should share a seat? Just weird. I do thank Trump for the funny memes his choice has produced though- might as well laugh as cry.

Speaking of laughing, trying to find something to criticize Kamala Harris for, the Republicans have found fault with her laughing. She is serious when she needs to be but likes to have fun and be enthusiastic when she can. That is a much nicer vibe than the one Trump puts out – doom and gloom, nonsensical banter, and never laughter.

Snide smiles, but no laughter. She didn’t become a prosecutor and state attorney general without being serious. She has had practice being serious about convicting felons.

The latest shock of the 2024 campaign season was Biden deciding not to run for re-election. The pressure from Democrats around him probably helped him make his decision, but it turns out that ultimately, his wisdom from the 50 years of experience in government seems to have led him to a good decision. The only other United States president to give up power willingly was George Washington.

This decision also frees up Biden to work hard to accomplish more of his goals as president while Harris takes up the campaign. He met with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu and continues to negotiate a ceasefire in the region. In a recent announcement, he has called for Supreme Court reforms which will most likely fail in a Republican-led House, even though that follows the plan in the constitution for checks and balances, no branch having too much power over the others. In this era of party over country, checks and balances are thrown out the window. Power, not democracy, is the goal.

This brings up one last concern about this race. If you notice, included in the crazy stuff that Trump says during his rallies, is a recurring theme of “not needing your vote.” He tells his crowd, don’t bother to vote, I don’t need your vote.

Now that is very strange. Then he told a Christian group the other day, “vote for me now and you won’t ever have to vote again.” He’s not anticipating winning by votes, by the legitimate will of the people, and he’s not planning on leaving the office once it’s handed to him. In his hap-hazard braggadocio way, he appears to be giving away a plan. I bet he’s been assured by those who buy loyalty that there will be enough of their minions in place to thwart an honest election.

Soon, if not already, Harris will choose her running mate. Then this race gets good. As Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a recent interview, we have to come out and vote for Harris and give her such a large majority win that it can’t be tampered with or denied.

Democracy is at stake. That is the right way, the democratic way, and should be the only way.

Susan Bigler is a Sheridan resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com