There’s no way to see this decision other than as an appalling display of cowardice and a dereliction of their public duty

The choice for president has seldom been starker.

On one side is Donald Trump, a felonious and twice-impeached conman, raring to finish off the job of dismantling American democracy. On the other is Kamala Harris, a capable and experienced leader who stands for traditional democratic principles.

Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture