Is Trump all bluster, or a threat to democracy? [Video]

Over the last eight years, our political divisions have become so entrenched, so bitter, that it can make any attempt at honest discourse seem like a hopeless endeavor. Hate-filled messaging proliferates our politics. Funneling through rampant misinformation, spin and outright lies in a fragmented media landscape increasingly infiltrated with artificial intelligence? Good luck.

But few on the left or right can disagree with one unassailable truth: In just two days, the American people will cast their final ballots in the most consequential presidential election in modern history.

In 2018, the Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial Board made the decision to no longer endorse political candidates. And we’re not doing so now. At The Times-Dispatch, there’s still a wall of separation between what’s labeled “opinion” and “news,” but many are unaware of this tradition, or simply don’t believe it. As a result, endorsing political candidates for public office — a long tradition in newspapering — can give …