On a recent trip through the Philadelphia Airport, I overheard several individuals discussing their dissatisfaction with 2016's likely Presidential nominees. How did we get here?
Eighteen months ago, it seemed likely that we were heading for another Bush/Clinton election - the party establishments had made their choices. While it is likely that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee, she has endured a stronger primary challenge than many saw coming. On the Republican side, Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee - no one saw that coming 18 months ago.
So what happened? - Populism - The populist messages of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump have resonated with primary voters - I would argue not because the voters love what these candidates stand for, but rather they are tired of bowing down to the will of the major party elites. This is where hope comes in for the future.
Perhaps in 2020, more candidates will be willing to stand up to the interest of the party elites and put forward a message and vision to move America in a positive direction - a message and vision based on critical and original thought rather than a message that caters to the will of the party elites.
Perhaps 2016 will mark the beginning of a return of this country's two major political parties to the voters of which they are comprised. If so, there is hope that in the near future, we will no longer be forced to choose between the lesser of two evils, but rather choose the greater of two visions.
-Sam
