I Don't Think So!

These days a favorite topic for the pundits has to do with what Trump will do as the leader of the Republican Party and figurehead of the Trump Cult.  Most of those with a view focus on the power he has going forward and maybe setting himself up for another run in 2024. 

I think they're wrong!  I don't think he has the interest or ability to be a long-term political leader.  The game bores him.  Politics is an unwelcome distraction for him.  He cares about making money and self-aggrandizement.  For sure, he will want to continue to be in the spotlight and he will want to have people think he is important.  But politics?  No way for this guy.

He has power at the moment because his Republican followers are afraid of him.  As such, they are sycophants and enablers.  The fear factor will diminish over time and so will his influence.  Sooner or later some of them will challenge him and the facade will begin to crumble.  In the face of this, a saavy politician would take steps to stop the demise.  But Trump won't do that.  Why?  Because politics ain't his game.

In the meantime he'll probably promote the idea that he'll be back in 2024.  So there will be the illusion that he is to be taken seriously.  Don't buy into it.  It won't last.  And history will be clear that he is a master of fomenting debris and chaos, not leadership.

Still Uneasy!

I've been paying close attention to the post-election process that has dominated the news.  Even though there is an overwhelming consensus that Trump's efforts to stay in office are ridiculous and will fail, I'm still uneasy.

I'm uneasy because I don't trust the system and I don't trust that Trump's enablers who still have power will honor their sworn duty to serve the Constitution.  They, like he, will go to extreme lengths to keep him in the White House.  My only surprise at this point is that we are not closer to an all-out civil war, which is still not out of the question.

What will it take to ease my uneasiness?  Maybe when the Electoral College votes and ratifies Biden's victory.  But even then I may be uneasy.  So I'll say that I'll relax when the Inauguration happens on Jan. 20.

On a positive note, I am pleased at the prospect of the many changes that will happen once we're on the other side of this craziness:  A national Covid plan.  Rejoining the Paris accord.  A constructive relationship with our allies.  Economic relief for people and businesses that need help.  An end to the lies and rebuilding trust among our people and institutions.  And so much more . . .

Until then - keep your fingers crossed!

 

Celebrate!

It was like the country took a deep breath, let out a sigh, and went to the streets to celebrate.

At last he will be gone.  Let's party!  And so the horns honked, and the people cheered, and the cowbells clanged, and the party went on.  A long, national sigh of relief.

What next?  Biden will move quickly to deal with our most pressing crisis - the pandemic, and will begin to put the team together that will govern with him.

As for Trump?  Will he concede?  I doubt it, but it really doesn't matter whether he does or not.  He has lost.  And in the future?  Some are saying that he will want to keep the spotlight on himself and cement his hold over the Republican party.  I say yes to the egomaniacal part.  I say no to wanting to stay as a political leader.  

I don't think he is interested in the party or in the policies that are important to others.  He is interested only in himself.  If it doesn't feed his ego he is not interested.  So I don't think he will stay in the political arena.

One caveat:  If he wants to run again in 2024, a stupid idea but a possibility, he will take a different course than I've outlined.  But if he goes down that road I think the Republicans who want to regain or stay in power will, slowly at first but with gathering momentum, desert him.

Le'ts hope so!

Baffled!

To say I'm baffled is an understatement.  Gobsmacked sounds more accurate.

In my last post I predicted a Democratic landslide that would give them both the White House and Senate.  Wrong!  As I write this we know for sure that the Dems will not control the Senate, that they will lose seats in the House, and while it looks good for Biden, we're not even sure that he will win.

My question to myself:  What universe are you living in, Dan?  I'm certainly out of touch with the one I inhabit.  The bubble in which I live has done a good job of protecting me from Covid-19.  Apparently it has also done a good job of removing me from the reality that is the world hundreds of millions of Americans inhabit.

Four million more people voted for Trump this time than four years ago.  Four million more!  In the face of his pandemic failure, a busted economy, racial unrest, irresponsible and destructive rhetoric that has divided Americans and dismayed the rest of the world, in the face of all this and more, he is more popular than he was four years ago.  How can this be?

In my world it can't be.  So I am way out of touch with the world outside my bubble.  Is what is out there a one-off phenomenon that will disappear in a little while?  And things will return to normal?  I don't think so.  I think what baffles me is a new normal.  It is more likely to be what the future looks like, whether I like it or not.

I'd like to be as wrong on this conclusion as I was in predicting the election.  For now, let's just say it is possible.  Stay tuned . . .

The Day Before!

Finally, tomorrow is just a day away.  

Will we have a winner tomorrow night?  

Win or lose, will bedlam take hold and we become a nation on the way to civil war?

Will it be close?

Is a landslide possible?

Will the Democrats flip the Senate?

Will those of us who suffer from 2016 PTSD be able to put it behind us?  Or suffer 2020 PTSD?

Today, the unknowns rule.  My hope is that tomorrow will change that.  Am I hopeful?  Yes.  Am I confident?  No.

My prediction?  It will be Biden in a landslide and the Dems will take the Senate.  A positive result, for sure, but will it revitalize our democracy, put these last four years behind us?  No way!  There is reason to hope, and a lot of work to do.

Good luck to us all!