From a legendary journalist who's seen more than his fair share of elections, Dan Rather pens this essay as the end of Campaign 2016 looms on the horizon.
A shameful campaign winds up with a shameful final chapter. How fitting. How disappointing. And how rallying it must be for us to strive for a far different national narrative going forward. After bombshell headlines by FBI Director James Comey - it's, oh nevermind. But we should mind - very much. And we shouldn't forget.
I suspect we shall hear a lot of, "oh nevermind" after November 8.
From GOP supporters of Donald Trump who backed him for a cynical political calculus - they may want to say nevermind. But we should mind - and not forget.
From far too many of the press who gave Trump an open mic and treated his many serious transgressions with indifference and false equivalence - they may want to say nevermind. But we should mind - and not forget.
From those who whipped up xenophobia and misogyny in the name of rallying the base - they may want to say nevermind. But we should mind - and not forget.
From those who suppressed the vote and were called out on it - they may say nevermind. But we should mind - and not forget.
From those who fanned the flames of lies and persecuted the truth - they may want to say nevermind. But we should mind - and not forget.
I suspect historians will find fault with many and virtue with few when they look back at this election. But let us not descend into cynicism. The future of this country is indeed at stake. But even with the vote on November 8, the chapters of our American story will be written in ink not yet dry. Our destiny will depend on how we act going forward. Will we buy into the "nevermind" crowd, or will we resolve, together, to demand better of our elected officials, our press, and ourselves?
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