This shambling monstrosity of two campaigns is being crystalized into the chosen two narratives in time for the final stretch down to the election. Before this morning’s news, I had the COVID alarm coming down in emphasis, with the various interpretations of the President’s hospitalization last week. His narrative is that there is only fear of fear to fear. Then this morning Vice Presidential candidate Harris announced she had been exposed and would be cancelling her appearances until the matter is resolved. I don’t know if that is only in-person or if Zoom appearances will be permitted.

Naturally, all this is being played according to the desired end state in the election, and the actual facts of the matter are subject to political interpretation. Critics would say that Harris has had recent mixed success on the campaign trail, while the larger Biden campaign is beset by the release of emails that suggest the Presidential candidate was at least aware of the financial dealings of his family with countries and interests subject directly to his former authorities.

The usual dialogue about it all is almost purely- not that one can use that word anymore- political, rather than medical. Of course. The President was accused of faking his COVID exposure, and Senator Harris has already been accused of using the virus to minimize her visibility before the election.

That is playing out in front of the confirmation hearings in the Senate for Judge Amy Comey Barrett- or ACB, as she is now popularly known. It is too soon to tell if there is something momentous to be released prior to the full Senate vote, since the Judicial Committee appears to have surrendered. There is talk of Quorum shenanigans to come, disrupting confirmation, and a dozen other opposition unwritten rules, but at present, ACB’s performance has been professional and the look seems to be that simple math will confirm her to the High Court.

The idea that the confirmation process would be a final argument against Mr. Trump has been edged out by the controversy of a simmering set of accusations against Mr. Biden. They seem to be substantive enough to keep him in the Delaware basement, as he appears to have been aware of his son’s involvement, despite his previous denials of any knowledge. There are surely more examples to drop on that matter, and a reason to minimize the chance of anyone asking him about it directly.

Meanwhile, thousands of boats and cars parade for one candidate and another seems to bring handfuls of boosters and dozens of cars. Enthusiasm seems pronounced for one, and the polls of registered voters lean heavily to the other.

The herd is rounding the last turn and settling for the final stretch to victory. And the Harris COVID. Who will be speaking for the campaign? Mr. Trump was quit vocal about the matter in his campaign rally in Florida last night, from what I could handle listening to. How much is true, and how much is narrative are not relevant to what will be happening until November 3rd, only eighteen days away. But what is to come after that? The fifty states all have their own ways to handle an election quite unlike any we have had before.

Since the choice is binary, the fifty pieces have to fit together, and therein lies another cavalcade of chaos. The good news is that street unrest appears to have been dialed down as unproductive to a variety of narrative strands. The bad news is that they may be back, should the favorite candidate not be declared the unambiguous victor quickly in a mass of confusion.

Here at the Socotra House, the challenge is to follow the narrative flow, and assess the impact on voters who have not yet cast whatever number of ballots they are mailed. This is a remarkable time, and we are happy it is as interesting as it is historic. Could we see Justice Barrett actually sit on the bench to decide some of the critical rulings surely to follow this madcap adventure in the beloved- or despised- Constitutional Republic?

Stand by. This is going to be great. Having a wonderful time! Wish you were here!

– Vic

Copyright 2020 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com