How bad could it get? America’s ugly election

A house divided

WA S H I N GTO N ,   D C

An election carried out during an epidemic and in an atmosphere of deep

distrust poses serious risks

Briefing

America’s presidential election

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Briefing

America’s presidential election

The Economist

September 5th 2020

2

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victor was unclear. In all four scenarios the

role playing produced levels of gamesman-

ship and tumult beyond anything seen in

recent American elections. In the narrow-

Biden-victory scenario the Secret Service

escorted Mr Trump from the White House

on inauguration day. It is hard to overesti-

mate what such a sight would mean to

Americans—and to the rest of the world.