Polarization George Washington, the first president of the United States, already wrote it in his farewell letter: polarization is the evil spirit of party politics. His fear was that a two-party system (in America the Republicans and the Democrats) would divide America. Polarization could mean the end of the United States, according to Washington. And now, in the run-up to the American presidential elections, the division is clear again and it is hard against hard. Election Day 2024 Bar Laat Former America correspondent Charles Groenhuijsen is already in his tenth election. And in many ways, these are elections like no other. With the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 still fresh in the memory, the question is what the outcome will bring about this year. Americanist Bianca Pander has also seen the division in the United States with her own eyes. She has just returned from America, where she campaigned for the Democrats. Annabel Nanninga, member of the Senate for JA21 and known for her fierce statements, also joined us at the table. Harsh language is not unfamiliar to American campaigns: what does this do to democracy? Henk Jan van Schothorst, founder and director of the Christian Council International, told us more about the religious influences within the Republican Party. As a Dutchman in the US, Arnon Grunberg has been able to watch many elections from the sidelines over the past 30 years. From his base in New York, he observes 'his' changing country. Journalist Clarice Gargard does have American voting rights, and decided to make use of this after Harris became a presidential candidate. What did these two Americans hope for their country? About Bar Laat Viewers can end the day from Monday to Thursday evening with 'Bar Laat', a talk show broadcast on NPO 1. This new BNNVARA program is presented alternately by Sophie Hilbrand and Jeroen Pauw, with Tim de Wit as a permanent substitute presenter. The program offers a platform for the conversation of the day, with current topics such as politics, art, culture and sports. The show is recorded live in a Hilversum studio with an audience, and also offers space for music performances. #Americanelections #Kamalaharris #Donaldtrump #polarization #BarLaat Follow us on Instagram: barlaat.bnnvara Follow us on Facebook: barlaatbnnvara Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/barlaat #BarLaat