Dr. Cornel West is a celebrated philosopher, activist, and public intellectual. He is to academia what Kanye West is to music.
That might be seen as damning him with faint praise. But the shoe fits. And it’s the best way to understand West, that is, Cornel.
Cornel West announces Kanyesque campaign
Dr. West is running to be the People’s Party nominee. A former campaign staffer for political gadfly Senator Bernie Sanders founded this party. That connection to Sanders gives the party and Dr. West credibility. But their viability remains an open question.
Of course, Dr. West is far more qualified to be president. But the reaction to his announcement this year is bound to mirror the reaction to Kanye’s in 2020.
Democrats will see it as a potential spoiler. After all, Black and progressive voters form the base of their party. And Dr. West is bound to draw more votes from them. But Republicans will see it as a potential godsend.
Kanye was on an ego trip. Trump wanted to use him as a useful idiot to siphon off Democratic votes. He hoped Kanye’s celebrity would appeal to millions of voters just like his celebrity did.
But Kanye was even hard-pressed to explain his reason for running. And he spent most of the campaign giving voters cause to fear he was mentally unstable. No wonder he garnered only 60,000 votes out of 160 million.
In contrast, Dr. West claims he’s running to continue to give a voice to the marginalized. And he has a long and distinguished record in this respect. But even he might have a selfish motive.
West is harboring well-known resentment over perceived slights by former President Obama. He felt overlooked when he did not receive VIP tickets to Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Then he felt disrespected when Obama sought advice from the likes of Rev. Al Sharpton instead of him.
Apropos of mirroring, Obama mocked Donald Trump mercilessly at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. It’s widely believed that Trump announced his 2016 candidacy to avenge that perceived slight.
Dr. West seems hell-bent on emulating Trump. He, too, seems motivated by “revenge and redemption.”
Meanwhile, West is hardly the first to run for president to give a voice to the marginalized. Senator Ted Kennedy did so in 1980, Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1984, and Senator Bernie Sanders in 2016. The difference between him and them is that they ran for the Democratic nomination. That West is not doing so betrays his selfish motive.
Third-Party Candidates: History and Influence
Third parties have only ever been spoilers in US presidential elections. Dr. West knows this. The only question is which major party the third party will impact most.
For example, Ross Perot ran as an Independent in 1992. There’s no denying that his 19% cost incumbent Republican President George H. W. Bush his reelection. Ralph Nader ran as the Green Party’s nominee in 2000. There’s no denying that his 3% cost Democratic nominee Al Gore the victory in that election. (George W. Bush won by a margin of only 0.52%.)
Joe Biden defeated Trump 51.3% to 46.8% in 2020. So, if West garners only 6%, he could have a decisive impact. And again, Biden should worry that West will draw almost all his votes from the base of the Democratic Party.
Is Trump better than Biden?
Whether it’s better to suffer another Biden term or risk another with Trump? That is the question. Of course, Biden’s one term as president makes Trump’s look like a schoolyard frolic.
What’s more, Trump has telegraphed the dystopian consequences his reelection portends. And the consequences would be no less dire if one of his demon spawn were to win.
Alas, Dr. West doesn’t care that his candidacy could ensure a Republican victory. And that is as selfish as it is short-sighted. But no marginalized American would ever forgive him. And his reputation would be damaged beyond repair.
Then again, like Steve Bannon, West may believe the best way to save America is to destroy it. And helping Trump get elected again is critical in this respect.