With this historical Presidential campaign now nearly done, I wanted to thank you for the discussion you published much earlier in the year between David McCullough and Evan Thomas. I write this before the results of the Nov. 8 election are known and have also sent this to you in advance of that date. This year’s Presidential campaign has been at times painful, at times comical, at times frustrating and at times deplorable. Who among us thought a year ago that it would be these two candidates facing off against each other?

A radio commentator recently noted that one of the few kind things that can be said of this campaign is that there has been little in the way of “substance abuse.” The speaker meant to convey the sad and disconcerting manner in which the campaign has been conducted. Whereas in most national or state elections, there is some discussion of substantial or substantive issues, and the differences between candidates on these issues, this year it was all about personalities, insults, mudslinging, and character faults. There was no real discussion of substance about the real issues, hence no “substance abuse.” Pretty sad commentary!

Writing this letter has been on my mind since earlier in the summer, after the primaries had finished and the national conventions had nominated their candidates, one of whom is as unlikely a choice as we’ve seen in our lifetimes while the other is qualified in so many ways, yet is mistrusted and disliked by many. And so, at each other they went, toe to toe, slamming away over character faults and personality flaws. I came to voting age in the 1960s and have dutifully cast my vote every four years for President. But for the first time since probably 1968, I have actually had fears for the Republic . . . can we survive this kind of campaign? Can we survive this tone, this rhetoric? What will happen afterward to the disgruntled minions whose candidate loses, as one surely must?

These thoughts caused me to think back to that informative, enlightening and hope-generating discussion between Evan Thomas and David McCullough. Here were two learned, thoughtful, knowledgeable, credible historians and writers who had the lens of history to help them focus on our current situation and compare it to our past. And their conclusion that the Republic will survive was more than a little reassuring. Yes, we have seen much better, but at times we have probably seen worse in our national history. But the Republic will survive and prevail.

By the time Friday’s edition of the Gazette comes out, the results, and at least some of the immediate aftermath, will be known. Let us all hope that we can put aside this divisive chapter in our history and move forward peacefully to build the kind of country that benefits all of our citizens. And let us also hope earnestly to restore civility, respect, and common sense into our public discourse.

Jim Butterick
Oak Bluffs