Aren’t there some existential realities that a clear majority of Americans can accept as worthy of governmental attention? Inflation greater than 2% is undesirable. Indebtedness of $ 34 trillion is excessive. Current immigration policy is counterproductive. Law enforcement is insufficient. Military defence preparedness is inadequate. Social engineering appears to be failing. Dependency on government is too great. Political division is too deep. Media polarization is too strong. Religious tenets are too sublimated. Our frame of reference is too short. The United Nations is too impotent. Against that backdrop, America’s voters must question whether we remain “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Neither an aging incumbent president in failing health and tainted by potentially treasonous conduct and tentative leadership style, nor a contending predecessor with high energy but blustering persuasive manner, may inspire comprehensive confidence. The coming 2024 election inevitably will be a referendum on desirable persona versus demonstrated performance.