Grandstand. Imagine a presidential election that sees the clash of two seventies. On the one hand, a vaguely centrist political veteran; on the other, a outsider rude, fiercely extremist. Imagine that the first candidate practices an old-fashioned policy: he knows how to reach out when necessary, and is not reluctant to shake hands, even less to kiss when he is in the field.
His adversary, on the other hand, does not know how to compromise, but he knows only too well how to incite his supporters to violence. Imagine, finally, that this confrontation takes place in a nation marked by great political and social divisions.
If what you have in mind fits the American scenario envisioned by many commentators, where former Vice President Joe Biden, after winning the Democratic nomination, was in the running against Donald Trump, you've got it right. But you wouldn't be wrong either to think of the Jacques Chirac-Jean-Marie Le Pen duel during the 2002 presidential election in France.
The reminder of April 21, 2002
In many ways, this "French connection" foreshadows the promises and dangers that the United States will face in November. When the French went to the polls on April 21, 2002, pollsters were confident that Chirac and then Prime Minister Lionel Jospin would face off in the second round.
However, for the country and for the world, it was a shock: the opponent of Chirac was none other than the leader of the National Front, a man who represented a real danger for the Republic and its values.
Even if Jacques Chirac did not inspire great confidence and even less enthusiasm, Republicans of all stripes rallied to prevent the leader of the National Front from gaining access to the Elysée Palace. Two weeks later, Chirac won the election with more than 80 percent of the vote.
However, as commentators have pointed out, the French did not vote for Chirac but against Le Pen, more for the Republic than for the only man capable of saving it.
Jacques Chirac and Joe Biden from pragmatists
Let's go back to 2020 on the other side of the Atlantic, where Republicans – not to be confused with the Republican Party – face an almost identical situation with an almost as unlikely savior. Joe Biden is now the favorite in the Democratic nomination race against weakened Bernie Sanders. There is still little, it is Biden who seemed breathless …
