The calls for President Biden to step aside have become so deafening that it makes you wonder: Is this really all about one bad debate performance? Is it possible that this is evidence of a deeper, more fundamental dissatisfaction among Americans with their political leaders?

I think so. President Biden took office on promises that he would “lower the temperature” and help the country move away from the divisive Trump years. Instead, he has further fanned the flames of division. He’s accused Republicans of pushing “Jim Crow 2.0” and
being “semi-fascists” and said that they “threaten our very Democracy.”

The American people are exhausted by this tone and tenor in both parties. Upwards of two- thirds of Americans report being tired of the divisiveness, and they don’t just want Biden to step aside–about half wish they could replace both Biden and Trump as the nominees.

Unfortunately, even if Biden is replaced, it isn’t likely to be with someone who will unite America (though I hope I’m wrong). So, what are voters to do? Both parties are leading Americans to believe that democracy will self-combust if the other side wins. This is a dangerous false narrative, because it provokes people into viewing their fellow citizens as mortal enemies of the country, not merely as well-intentioned people who disagree.

It’s also simply not true. I was heartened to see Democratic Congressman Jared Golden of Maine say so early this month, when he published an op-ed saying what few other Democrats dare admit: that democracy will be just fine if Donald Trump is elected. He wrote that his party’s “pearl-clutching about a Trump victory ignores the strength of our democracy.”

Indeed, the real threat to democracy is more likely to come from the losing side than the winning side. When democratically elected leaders choose to deny election results or interfere with the winner’s ability to run the country, that’s a threat to democracy. When
members of Congress would prefer to stonewall the president than do their job of solving the nation’s problems, that’s a threat to democracy.

That was the case over the last two terms from both Republicans and Democrats. Many refused to even acknowledge the winners of our recent presidential contests. After decades of near-perfect Congressional attendance at inaugurations, at least 67 congressional Democrats boycotted Trump’s inauguration in 2017 and more than a dozen Republicans–plus President Trump himself—skipped Biden’s in 2021.

Americans must call on their leaders–and each other—to move past the pettiness in the runup and aftermath of this election. We are all Americans. We are all facing the same challenges. After any good contest, be it business or sports or any other battle of wills, you get up afterwards and shake hands and move on. That’s the test of character and it’s what our country needs in order to emerge stronger.

After being implored by an angry citizen to go scorched-earth on his political rivals, Abraham Lincoln was once said to have remarked, “Madam, do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”

Not so long ago, Republicans and Democrats in Washington were friends. Rivals, sure–but still friends. They would work together and grab beers together and get things done. We need to return to that, but the only way for it to happen is for our citizens to lead the way.

Americans need to take matters into their own hands. We need to urge all citizens to sign a commitment to accept the election results, urge their representatives to work with the next president, and condemn any post-election violence. Members of Congress as well as Congressional candidates to sign a similar pledge.

The people we elect are reflections on us. We’re the ones who choose them. So let’s start now, in 2024, to come together as citizens and urge our leaders to do the same.

Roger Hutson is a co-chair of No Labels Colorado, a board member of Colorado Concern, and the CEO of HRM Resources IV, LLC

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