If the inevitable is inevitable

For  many, the inevitable presidential contest will be Trump vs. Clinton. If this is the case, it will represent a critical juncture in modern American government.

Hillary Clinton has a resume that no other candidate can come close to. She has behind-the-scenes experience as an activist First Lady, Senate experience, State Department experience on the world stage, campaign experience, connections, and the chance to be the first female President of the United States. She's been tested. She has class, and she is savvy.

But she also carries the baggage of this same experience. The emails, past scandals, public failures, past decisions and policies which she must own. She represents the good and the bad of a life in public service. She is the candidate of minority voters.

Donald Trump has no resume of substantive value for the job of President. He has consistently demonstrated himself to be rude, crude and sophomoric in his behavior. He brushes off criticism with half-truths and falsehoods. He has offered no policies of significance to be scrutinized. He has no public service record to be held to.

Trump is the perfect candidate for the sound bite approach to news coverage. He'd rather reach those who watch Inside Edition or Entertainment Tonight than the PBS Newshour. He doesn't represent the mature statesman or the dedicated public servant. He's the billionaire who's as common and thuggish as the worst of us. He's the candidate of disgruntled and racist white America. And he scares the hell out of democratic world leaders who fear the consequences of a Trump presidency.

What America is is on the line here.