Opinion | Crazy Is Beginning to Sound Like an Understatement

Bret Stephens: Hi, Gail.We are a week out from the election.

Kamala Harris said the other day that she thinks Donald Trump is a fascist.Do you agree?Gail Collins: Well, it does tend to sound a little harsh right up front, but if we’re talking about a politician who wants to impose his will on the public, by force if necessary, can’t say Trump hasn’t gone down that road.

And let’s not forget the revolting rally he held Sunday night at Madison Square Garden …Bret: True, though I’m not sure it was smart of Harris, politically speaking, to use the F-word.It could alienate voters she desperately needs to win, who might feel she’s indicting them as would-be fascists by implication.Gail: Are you worrying about what will happen if he wins or if he loses?Bret: Both! But, as far as the election itself is concerned, the scenario that worries me most is a really narrow victory by one side or the other, which leads to multiple recounts in one or more states, along with weeks of legal uncertainty.

At that point, we’re staring into the abyss.I certainly don’t see Trump summoning the grace to concede the election the way Al Gore did in 2000.But there could also be trouble if Harris comes up short and her supporters think they have a choice between “resistance” and “fascism.”It’s scary.

This could be the most consequential month in modern American history, and I don’t mean that in a good way.Alternatively, we could have an early night and a clear winner.

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