American democracy is limping to the finish line this election week, dehydrated and injured from many stumbles during this race. Can it recover before Americans lose faith that America has the will or ability to help them? Can it recover before foreign friends and foes alike lose faith in America's sanity and stability?
Rinker Buck spent four months sailing down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers from Pennsylvania to New Orleans on a flatboat. He passed through 'rust belt' communities at the heart of Donald Trump's most fervent supporters. He saw people suffering from economic dislocation, racial strife and depopulation along its banks. They want this election over so they can get the change they need to survive. Will they get it?
The world is also waiting for this election to be over, each either alarmed or hopeful over the possibilities. Japan fears loss of U.S. protection, Mexico fumes over our racism,Russia and China delight in our turmoil, Iran laughs at our hypocrisy, North Korea cheers Donald Trump. Can America still be a global leader?
We also take your calls on the day before this momentous election.
GUESTS:
- Rinker Buck - Journalist and author of several books including Flight of Passage: A Memoirand The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey. He recently traveled down the Monongahela, Ohio and Mississippi rivers from Pennsylvania to New Orleans.
- Nick Corasaniti - Digital correspondent for the New York Times.
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Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
