French presidency
In 2002, the runoff election for the French presidency was between the far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen and the incumbent representing the center-right, Jacques Chirac. There was widespread unease with the prospect of a Le Pen presidency.
Many who disagreed with his policies cast a vote for Chirac, who won with 82 percent of the vote. An unequivocal repudiation of Le Pen.
Several prominent self-styled conservatives have loudly proclaimed that a Donald Trump presidency would be catastrophic for the United States.
Some have since managed to come to terms with their misgivings. They argue that despite his shortcomings, Trump is better than Hillary Clinton.
Others have not reached this conclusion. They argue instead for “Never Trump,” “Never Hillary.” Since the next president will be one of these two, it does not make much sense.
If these people sincerely believe that Trump is a danger, then the 2002 French elections are instructive. There are some defining moments in the life of a democracy. This is one of them.
Martin H. Bingham, Weston
This story was originally published May 29, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "French presidency."