On the eve of Election Day, tensions are high and voters are feeling anxious – this has been a theme throughout this election season.
“There’s a lot of drama everywhere. People have lost touch with humanity,” said voter Connie Wilson.
The United States was also an anxious country when George Washington first took the oath of office at Federal Hall in Lower Manhattan. The young nation was debt-ridden, the Constitution was weak, and the justice system was in its infancy.
More than two centuries later, in the first presidential election since COVID-19 and the civil and social unrest of 2020, we are even more anxious today.
An American Psychological Association survey found that 69% of Americans feel significant stress about this electionwhile 72% fear the outcome will lead to violence. More than half fear it will mean the end of our democracy.
While there may not be a cure for our national anguish, there is one thing that does work: fair play. It means accepting defeat when it is clear, even when that clarity is surrounded by microscopically small margins.
Last year, Democrat Kimberly Pope Adams ran for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. The race in a district south of Richmond generated nearly $6 million in spending.
“I campaigned for 18 months for a position that only lasted two years, but it was worth it,” Adams said.
On election night, Adams trailed by 78 votes.
“We knew we were behind on election night, but we remained hopeful because we knew the process was not over and it was possible to narrow the gap,” Adams said.
Under state law, Adams requested a recount, but she never denounced her opponent, cried fraud or alleged the election was stolen.
The recount added 25 more votes to Adams’ total, but it still wasn’t enough to win.
“It was heartbreaking. I’m not going to lie. It was heartbreaking. But it wasn’t emotional because I didn’t believe it. It wasn’t emotional because I didn’t believe it. It “It was only emotional because it wasn’t what I was hoping for, but I accept it,” Adams said.
Asked about the importance of accepting a close defeat, Adams said: “Before any rhetoric and before any choosing sides, remember who you are. Remember who your neighbors are. And in the end, know that we played by the rules and win or lose, that is the result. »
It offers a lesson about the burden of loving democracy and our constitutional republic, commanding us to love this experience more than our own ambition, and to accept defeat when we have lost to continue for America – not for ourselves.
Major Garrett
