Thomas Friedman is right to warn that America is facing an existential moment and that drastic measures may be required to save our democratic form of government. He suggests that drawing five to ten percent of Republican voters away from Trump would assure his defeat and keep democracy safe.
However, his suggestion, that America temporarily adopt the current Israeli model of a cross-ticket, fusion government, such as a Biden- Cheney slate in 2024, misses the mark. That tactic is neither necessary nor doable here. Israel was able to create a unity government because the leaders of the opposing factions agreed to switch roles after two years, each serving for a time as Prime Minister. That would not be constitutionally permissible in the United States.
There is already a growing minority of Republicans who put country above party and are ready to support a Democratic candidate. While these "never Trumpers" like those who formed the Lincoln Project should be courted and commended, Liz Cheney backers are not going to vote for Trump regardless of whether she is a nominee. Besides, there already exists a majority of Democratic voters. The imperative is to get them out to vote. Pairing the Democratic nominee with a conservative Republican would likely depress rather than galvanize Democratic turnout.
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