Is it 1968 all over again?
Why campus protests could spoil Democrats' hopes for November
Does history repeat itself? It seems that way to some observers of the campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war. "The turmoil we're seeing brings back memories of the widespread student protests of 1968," Princeton University's Julian Zelizer said at CNN. That crucial, chaotic year saw roiling protests against the Vietnam War — and ended with Democrats losing the presidency to Richard Nixon's "law and order" campaign. President Joe Biden "must surely be worried now that history will repeat itself."
The '68 turmoil wasn't contained to campus quads, though. Thousands of protesters famously descended on the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where demonstrators and police battled in the streets. Chicago is where this year's DNC will be held. "We'll be marching with or without permits," said one pro-Palestinian organizer. The historical echoes are making some Democrats uncomfortable. "This is all playing out again," Charles Blow said at The New York Times.
'Era of Republican dominance'
If we're experiencing a redux of 1968, that could spell long-term trouble for Democrats. "Nixon's victory marked the beginning of an era of Republican dominance of the presidency," William Kristol and Andrew Egger said at The Bulwark. Jimmy Carter was the only Democrat to win a term between 1968 and Bill Clinton's victory in 1992. That should serve as a warning to Biden's party: "A Republican victory in November could also be a historic inflection point."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Here we go again," Charles Sykes said at The Atlantic. Sykes attended the 1968 Democratic convention as a teen accompanying his father, a delegate. "I had a front-row seat to a political party tearing itself apart." This summer's convention probably won't have the "Sturm und Drang of 1968's violent fiasco," mostly because police have better learned how to handle convention security. "But the parallels between 2024 and 1968 are ominous."
Protests can produce an electoral backlash. "The lesson of 1968 is that while the fireworks are on the left, the votes are on the right," James Traub said at The Wall Street Journal. Biden's best path is to work out a solution in Gaza before time runs out his reelection hopes. "He needs to make peace — in Israel, at home — so that the rest of the country can hear his message."
Hopes for a peace deal
Not everybody buys the parallels. "It's not 1968 to Joe Biden," Gabriel Debenedetti said in New York. The president believes that this time around, protesters "are not representative of the broader youth population" and that the campus tents will come down as summer vacation sets in. Still, some of the president's allies are also hoping for a ceasefire in Gaza. "If a peace deal gets brokered," said one former adviser, "then Biden could enjoy a well-deserved bump."
"Protests of any kind, even those most justified, produce a sense of unease among the public," Jeff Greenfield said in Politico. Biden has condemned "the more violent and disruptive of the current campus protests." The question now is whether that will be enough to save his presidency. "It would be folly to draw exact parallels between today's unrest and those of 60 years ago," Greenfield said. "But some do resonate."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Today's political cartoons - June 30, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - crybaby, alpha and omega, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 red-hot cartoons about the rising temperatures
Cartoons Artists take on personal experience, fridge logic, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Donald Sutherland: brilliant Canadian actor overlooked by the Oscars
In the Spotlight The actor was best known for performances in 'M*A*S*H', 'Don't Look Now' and 'The Hunger Games'
By The Week UK Published
-
Biden flopped, but did Trump really 'win' the debate?
Talking Points The president struggled to articulate a clear vision for the country, but Trump's cavalcade of aggressive falsehoods might not do the Republican candidate any favors in the long run
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Could Israel's ultra-Orthodox conscription ruling hurt Netanyahu?
Today's big question Two ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu's coalition are up in arms
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'There is serious business to attend to'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Biden and Trump trade barbs in testy debate
Speed Read The first debate ahead of November's election started off rough for the president
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is it time for Joe Biden to bow out?
Talking Point President's dismal performance has heightened Democrats' concerns over his odds against Trump
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Forged in the fire of the food world's worst excesses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The presidential debate is as much a trial of CNN as it is the candidates
In The Spotlight Thursday night's spotlight may be on Joe Biden and Donald Trump, but the host network's reputation — and its future — are also on the line
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden pardons US troops convicted in gay sex ban
Speed Read Veterans charged under a former military law banning same-sex relations are pardoned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published