Many of Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations about America read as nearly prophetic, but one of the most striking is his description of the period of frenzy that precedes American presidential elections:
For a long while before the appointed time has come, the election becomes the important and, so to speak, the all-engrossing topic of discussion. Factional ardor is redoubled, and all the artificial passions which the imagination can create in a happy and peaceful land are agitated and brought to light…. As the election draws near, the activity of intrigue and the agitation of the populace increase; the citizens are divided into hostile camps, each of which assumes the names of its favorite candidate; the whole nation glows with feverish excitement; the election is the daily theme of the press, the subject of every private conversation, the end of every thought and every action, the sole interest of the present.
For us who follow politics for a living or even as a side hobby, these few months before the election feel relentless. I’ve discovered a new strategy to retain sanity, though, which I almost recommend: Get Covid.
For a week plus, I was struck by a headache, congestion, and brain fog. I still haven’t fully recovered my sense of taste. Yet I spent almost no time delving into election coverage, and my state of mind was far better off for it. In all seriousness, it reminded me of something that can be hard to see amid the daily twists and turns of election season: Most of the stuff that happens just doesn’t matter that much. The election was close two weeks ago. It’s close today. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have yet to transform into different people, and their vices (and few virtues) remain the same.
Getting Covid was also an early reminder of Tocqueville’s later point: “It is true that as soon as the choice is determined, this ardor is dispelled, calm returns, and the river, which had nearly broken its banks, sinks to its usual level; but who can refrain from astonishment that such a storm should have arisen.”
Two months from now, we will all look with astonishment at the hysteria of this election season. But perhaps we ought to notice it now as well. And to notice is to remember that life, even for political junkies, is not all about politics. There are things — health, happiness, family — which are largely independent of the person whom America selects to occupy the White House. Most everyone will understand that come November 6, but it’s just as true now. Covid forced me to reckon with that reality, and I’m thankful.
Now, back to that “all-engrossing topic of discussion.” . . .