Now what? Reflections on the June 2024 Presidential Debate

Politics aside, there's a lot to take away from the June 27, 2024 debate.

I watched the first presidential debate of 2024 with my wife and two early teen daughters. There were a lot of emotions, comments, observations, and few teaching moments (lovingly referred to by my daughters as "Dad's gong" moments, as if each was followed by the hammering of a loud cymbal 🤷♂️).

This morning, I had a chance to reflect on it all as I sipped my morning coffee on the front porch and watched the sunrise.

I felt compelled to share a gong moment with the whole family (all 6 of them) via text.

Here's what I said...

Up this morning and thinking about the presidential debate from last night (mom, girls, and I watched it together).

I have my thoughts and reactions as I’m sure you do, so I’m not interested in sharing commentary; but I do want to give a little perspective.

First, after all this you’re going to hear a lot of feedback that basically equates to “my guy is smart and the other guy is dumb.” This is a lazy argument; don’t let your stance be reduced to name calling and petty squabbling, and don’t let yourself get sucked into it. Anyone who uses that tactic has no well-informed opinion.

Speaking of well-informed opinions, if you really want to know what someone stands for, do your research. Politics exists in a world of half-truths, what mom calls “a truth that supports 2 lies.” These happen intentionally (when someone sets out to mislead you) and unintentionally (when someone shares an idea but doesn’t have all the facts). If something is important enough to have a stance, it’s important enough to be well-researched.

Finally, for me, I’m always looking for the gospel message in everything, because it exists in everything one way or another. Where is Jesus in all this? For me, it’s in the display of human nature nearing its worst and how we shake our heads at the situation we find ourselves in, wondering if this is all there is. It isn’t. There’s so much more to life than who is president of the United States. While it is of great importance, and requires our attention and participation, it is not of ultimate importance. God is using this, too, to work out a greater plan. History is full of ups and downs, good leaders and bad, and through it all God is faithful to fulfill his good and perfect design, even if we can’t see what that is at this time. Sometimes it’s more clear than others; sometimes it feels like he’s not in it at all. But rest assured, we’re fighting a battle that has already been won; our duty is simply to walk with faith and integrity, trusting that in the end, God’s will wins out in the end.

I love you all very much and I thank God for you every day. I pray that you are good people and good citizens, both here and now and in the kingdom to come. ❤️☮️

Tips for wading through discourse

There's a temptation to get overwhelmed by it all; be that in a sense of hopelessness, frustration, rightness, or condemnation.

But I challenge you to think beyond the surface, and look for deeper meaning.

With that in mind, here are some ways to navigate the rhetoric from the debates, and politics in general.

Focus on Policy Over Personality

Look at the policies each candidate or party supports, rather than their personalities. Think about which policies match your values and the issues you care about. Consider how these policies could affect your life, your community, and the whole country.

When you look at the policies, also consider how realistic and achievable they are. Some promises might sound good, but they need to be possible to put into action.

Think about how the policies will be paid for and if they have been tried before. Ask yourself if the candidate has a good plan to make these policies work.

Research and Fact-Check

To avoid bias, get your news from different reliable sources across the political spectrum. This will help you understand different viewpoints. Use fact-checking websites to check if what candidates say during debates and campaigns is true.

By getting your news from different reliable sources, you can see how different people think about the same issues. This helps you understand all sides of a story and prevents you from only hearing one point of view.

Fact-checking websites are great tools to use because they tell you if the information is correct or not. By checking the facts, you can make sure you are not being misled and can trust what you hear about the candidates.

Understand the Big Picture

Look at how the candidates' parties have handled key issues in the past. This can give you an idea of their performance. Think about how their proposed policies will affect the future, not just the short-term.

Looking at how the candidates' parties have handled key issues in the past can show you their strengths and weaknesses. If a party has successfully dealt with important problems before, they might be more likely to handle them well again.

On the other hand, if they have failed in the past, they might not be the best choice. It's also important to think about the long-term effects of their proposed policies. Some policies might seem good now but could cause problems later.

Prioritize Key Issues

Think about the issues that matter most to you, like healthcare, education, the economy, or the environment, and see which candidate's policies match your priorities. Also, look at the bigger issues that affect the whole country and how they might shape the future.

When you think about the issues that matter most to you, like healthcare, education, the economy, or the environment, consider how each candidate's policies will address these concerns. For example, if healthcare is important to you, look at how each candidate plans to improve it.

Besides your personal priorities, it's also important to consider bigger national issues, such as national security and immigration. Think about how the candidates' policies on these issues will affect the country as a whole.

By looking at both personal and national priorities, you can choose a candidate who will not only meet your needs but also help create a better future for everyone.

Engage in Civil Discourse

Talk with people who have different opinions to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each side. Listen carefully and respectfully to what they have to say. This can give you new ideas and help you understand your own views better.

Talking with people who have different opinions can help you see things from a new perspective. When you listen carefully and respectfully, you might learn something you didn’t know before.

It’s important to ask questions and really try to understand why they believe what they do. This can help you think more deeply about your own views and maybe even change your mind about some things.

Evaluate Leadership Qualities

Evaluate how honest and capable the candidates are, and if they can lead well. Look at their history of solving problems and working with others, even those with different views. This can show you how effective they might be as leaders.

When evaluating candidates, consider their honesty and capability. Check their past actions and see if they have been truthful and reliable.

Look at how they have solved problems before and whether they were able to work well with others, even those who didn't agree with them. This shows if they can handle tough situations and build good relationships.

By examining these qualities, you can see if they have what it takes to be a strong and effective leader.

Consider the Vice President and Cabinet Choices

The vice-presidential candidate is important because they can greatly impact how the government runs. Check their qualifications and if they could lead well if needed. Also, find out who the candidates might choose for important advisor and cabinet positions. These people can influence policies and how things are managed.

The vice-presidential candidate plays a key role because they can step in if the president can't fulfill their duties. Look at their background and experience to see if they are qualified and capable of leading the country if necessary.

Additionally, it's important to know who the candidates might appoint as their advisors and cabinet members. These individuals help shape the policies and decisions of the government.

Examine the Candidates' Track Record

Look at how the candidates have performed in public office or other important roles. See how they managed responsibilities and challenges in the past. Also, check if they have been consistent in their positions and actions over time. This can help you understand how reliable and effective they might be as leaders.

When evaluating candidates, it's important to look at their past performance in public office or other significant roles. See how they handled responsibilities and overcame challenges. This can give you insight into their problem-solving skills and ability to manage difficult situations.

Also, check if they have been consistent in their positions and actions over time. Consistency shows that they stick to their principles and can be trusted to follow through on their promises.

Utilize Voting Guides and Tools

Use non-partisan voter guides to see a summary of the candidates' positions on different issues. Websites like Vote Smart and Ballotpedia can give you detailed information about the candidates' platforms and voting records. These tools can help you compare candidates easily.

Non-partisan voter guides are helpful tools for understanding where candidates stand on different issues. They provide a summary of each candidate’s positions without showing favoritism. Websites like Vote Smart and Ballotpedia offer detailed information about the candidates’ platforms and their voting records. These resources make it easy to compare candidates side by side.

Get a clear picture of what each candidate supports and how they have voted in the past.

Reflect on Personal Values

Think about which candidate’s values and ethics match your own. Also, consider which candidate’s vision for the country fits with your hopes for the future. Reflecting on these things can help you decide who to support. Choosing a candidate with similar ethics and a shared vision can lead to a better future.

When choosing a candidate, it's important to think about whose values and ethics align with yours. Ask yourself which candidate stands for the things you believe in and who has a moral code that you respect. Additionally, consider their vision for the future of the country. Does their plan for the future match your hopes and dreams? Reflecting on these aspects can guide you in deciding who to support. By choosing a candidate whose ethics and vision resonate with you, you can contribute to creating a future that reflects your values and aspirations.

No politics. Just something to think about

Do with all that whatever you will.

My only hope and prayer for you is that you make intelligent and informed decisions when you take on the responsibility of shaping the future of your country, and the world at large.