A meaningful presidential campaign at last

”America’s presidential campaign process works,” argues Troy, the historian. “It sifts through candidates, facilitates a continent-wide conversation and, most important, bestows legitimacy on the winner.”

Up to a point, this is convincing. The grueling, prolonged campaign reveals character, values, temperament and political competence — the ability to connect with people, respond to unanticipated events and exert leadership. But it’s unclear how well the present campaign will serve its most important role after anointing a victor: conferring legitimacy.

It’s impossible to close long-term budget deficits simply by taxing the rich and cutting defense (liberal dogma) or eliminating “waste” and “unneeded” spending (conservative dogma). The “conversation” conducted by Obama and Romney needs to conform to economic and budget realities. If it doesn’t, Americans will discover after the election that they’ve been had.

The question hovering over this election — and over American democracy is whether our leaders can navigate the fundamental political change. For half a century, government bestowed benefits on masses of citizens. Now, it must revoke benefits or raise taxes. Ryan provides the question, though not the answer.