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What They Really Mean When They Talk About ‘Electability’.
The horse race term that’s packed with hidden meaning and subtle implications.
The media and a significant portion of the American public absolutely love the horse race aspect to the presidential race. One thing that the TV pundits thoroughly enjoy talking about during the analysis of who will pull ahead is electability. The dramatics are good for ratings, and they know it. Rather than discussing key policy issues, there is no denying that they prefer talking about whether or not politicians stand a chance against the opposing party in a general election.
Since he jumped in to the race, Joe Biden has worked to position himself as the most electable candidate in the race, ready to take on Donald Trump in a head to head election.
But what does that word ‘electability’ actually mean?
Given the context of the political climate in the country, I would argue it’s simply coded language for appeasement. It is an argument that the country is too racist, sexist, and bigoted to elect someone who represents any significant change. It feels as though that word is nothing more than giving in to the ugliest aspects of our society, and staying away from a candidate who will ruffle any feathers.
