News analysis

Politics of fear hits home as US presidential campaign hots up

Democrats, Republicans play up eruption of racial and economic tensions in Kenosha

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As America's election campaign approaches the Sept 7 Labour Day landmark, events of the past week have thrown into sharp relief the powerful effect of fear, and the fragility of societies with underlying racial and economic tensions.

First, however, Democrats got a dose of reality when a post-Republican National Convention poll last Friday by data intelligence company Morning Consult showed that United States President Donald Trump has narrowed the gap with his rival Joe Biden.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 31, 2020, with the headline Politics of fear hits home as US presidential campaign hots up. Subscribe