Londoners befuddled by US presidential election choices

“Are you going to have another civil war?”

Anthony asked the question without a hint of humor. Like many Londoners, he witnesses what most Americans see: A deeply divided United States heading into the homestretch of a presidential election season in which the conservative and progressive camps remain so staunchly, yet evenly divided that the suggestion of national unity, perhaps even sanity, seems impossible.

A successful London artist based in Hackney, Anthony watched the headlines of London’s multiple daily newspapers in awe of the hostility and chaos dominating the American election cycle. He has many friends across the ocean. He wants the election to pass without further violence, after the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican nominee.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Anthony said with genuine worry about the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, at a Trump rally where attendee Corey Comperatore, 50 was killed, and David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were injured.

“If that (assassin’s) bullet was a couple inches over and Trump was killed, I think you could’ve seen a real rebellion happen with MAGA taking up arms,” Anthony said.

On the other hand, Anthony questioned whether there was even enough unity within true red, white, and blue factions to manage a civil war.

The artist shares the concerns of many citizens in the British capital. Fresh off their own major election in which the Left-leaning Labour Party made huge gains to seize control of Parliament and hand power over to new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the men and women of London now turn their attention to the presidential race and the fate of the United Kingdom’s strongest ally and the other half of the Special Relationship.

In all instances, the concerned followers of international politics asked for their last names to be withheld, citing the often incendiary nature of politics on both sides of the Atlantic in the age of social media. They spoke on the record after President Joe Biden’s debate failures and the assassination attempt on Trump but before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and Biden’s July 21 withdrawal from the race in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, in each case, those offering opinions made it clear they assumed Biden would not continue to run based on his declining health.

“It’s insane, isn’t it?” Elizabeth complained over a coffee at one of the city’s countless Pret a Manger locations near the Victoria Rail Station. The public relations professional and French expatriate who’s been in London for more than a decade wondered how she could promote the candidates she watched from a distance if she had that job.

“I see a senile old man who can’t make it and a narcissistic old man who shouldn’t be there,” Elizabeth said. “That’s the best the country can do? How did they end with only old men in charge? Isn’t there any way to get some new, younger people into their system?”

Elizabeth noted the wild politics that often seize her native France, including the recent upset losses of Marine Le Pen and her nationalists in favor of leftist and centrist candidates. Still, she believes the drama in Paris is more a performance to entertain the citizenry than what she sees as the potentially more dangerous U.S. campaigns.

Across town, James works as a software representative, a stone’s throw from Central London’s Liverpool Street. Even as he watched Biden fade from the scene, he noted Trump’s growing lead in the polls and found irony in the Democratic ticket.

“American politics are a mess,” James said. “I know Biden wants to stay in it until the end because he always insisted he’s the only one who could beat Trump. Of course, because he held on for so long, he’s the one who set it up for Trump to win.”

James almost commiserated with the American electorate. He acknowledged Biden is clearly approaching senility, but he fears the 78-year-old Trump can’t be far behind.

“I hope perhaps the assassination attempt might galvanize the U.S. somewhat and reduce some of the polarization, but I doubt it will,” he added.

Paul is a London-born-and-bred literary agent who does business in both British and American publishing industries. A staunch supporter of the Left in both countries, he carries a profound dislike and mistrust of Trump, while wondering why it seems so many Americans are unconcerned and disengaged.

“I disagree strongly with the ‘not Trump, not Biden approach,’’ he stressed. “This election is far too important to the world to just amble through, as we often do. Trump is far too real. I believe Biden had a successful first four years and would be infinitely preferable to a Hitler-wannabe emerging from the wings.”

Despite his strong attack on Trump, Paul acknowledged Biden became an uninspiring head of state during his first term due to flagging health fading and mental capacity. He relied on the belief that Biden might continue to serve because the president did a strong job choosing people to represent his policy goals.

“I think all this angst about Joe took the focus off Trump and what he represents,” Paul added. “That’s the danger. Biden said what he represents and wants to enact, and I support those goals, given the alternatives. The choices this election are stark and clear. This is a seminal election in terms of whether or not America loses its way for a very long time. And, I want my son to grow in a compassionate society that values discussion and compromise and worthy goals, not fear and retribution and repression.”

Back at Liverpool Street, James said the U.K. can still unite on occasion, but he doubts that’s possible in the U.S.

“I remember when Queen Elizabeth died,” James explained. “A hundred thousand people lined Pall Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace. Now, I know by sheer numbers and the law of averages, there had to be people standing next to each other in that crowd who disagreed with each other’s politics. But, for that one day, they put that aside to honor the queen.”

Pausing to think, James shook his head in surrender.

“I can’t think of a single thing that would bring Americans together the same way.”