Opinion Today: The only patriotic choice for president

The editorial board writes that the choice in this election is obvious.

View in browser|nytimes.com September 30, 2024 By Kathleen Kingsbury Opinion Editor Regular readers of the Times editorial board will not be surprised to learn that our choice in November's election for the next president is overwhelmingly Kamala Harris. This pick flows from our long-held view that Donald Trump is profoundly unworthy of the job — the former president has demonstrated, again and again, that he is morally and temperamentally disqualified from leading the United States. The editorial board has made its case to that end — that Trump is unfit — repeatedly, but there's no need to accept our judgment alone: Multitudes of people who have worked closely with and supported Trump have publicly attested to as much for years now. So the choice is obvious. On one side is a candidate who, as she promised in her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, would "move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past." Harris has pledged to continue the ambitious work started in the Biden administration to strengthen America's communities, tackle urgent threats like inequality and climate change, and to restore our standing around the globe. Trump, on the other hand, draws oxygen from chaos and unrest. His first instinct is not to address real grievances but to exploit them. Yet, a certain amnesia having taken hold, some Americans have decided that they are not much better off now than they were when Donald Trump was in the White House. We'd urge them to think again, and to look beyond their immediate concerns, to what's really at issue on the 2024 ballot. Americans can choose to cast a powerful vote for freedom and democratic norms everywhere by electing a candidate who embraces civic obligation, tolerates dissent, encourages open discourse and brings relief and a sense of common purpose to the nation. That person is Kamala Harris. 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It's the ultimate kind of cinematic courage. By Sam Wasson The Opinions The Only Patriotic Choice for President Listen to Kathleen Kingsbury, the Times Opinion Editor, make the case for Kamala Harris. 7 MIN LISTEN letters Rape Cases in the Headlines and in Our Everyday Lives Readers discuss a guest essay about famous cases and offer personal stories. Also: Helping immigrants; A.I. at war; Donald Trump, TV and real life. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Need help? 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