Commentary
With the 2024 presidential race beginning to show signs of life beyond those early sound bites when candidates sought to get ink, air time, and frankly to become known, I thought I would jump in with my commentary.
Christie No Match
Wednesday night, the pompous Republican candidate Chris Christie, failed in his ego match play effort with former President Trump, and withdrew from the race pledging, “in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again.”
After Christie failed to make a case for denying the White House to Trump during the debates, he threw a Hail Mary in New Hampshire, where he launched his campaign, but when the popular Gov. Chris Sununu endorsed Nikki Haley, he had to know the end was near.
Many of us recall how Christie supported Trump in 2016, even helping him prepare for the debates against then candidate Biden, but he disapproved of Trump’s fight over the election results and, sadly, he believed Trump played a role in the Jan.6 breach of the Capitol.
Oddly enough, even though Christie was caught on a live mic saying of Haley, “she’s going to get smoked, and she’s not up to this” Haley praised him as “a friend of many years,” commending him “on a hard-fought campaign.”
Ron DeSantis apparently expressed his appreciation for his role in the contest in a telephone call to Christie.
I imagine Christie will be seen and heard on the leftist networks, continuing his bluster about speaking the truth about Trump, but he’s a loser losing the fight.
Trump is Relaxed
Why not? He’s enjoying big leads in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina according to the RealClear politics polling averages.
It was really visible during his town hall on Fox Wednesday evening as he easily fielded questions and comments from hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum and members of the audience. There’s simply no way President Biden could perform in a similar setting.
Trump referred to the other candidates with his chosen nicknames, and politely responded to a woman from the audience who obviously didn’t approve.
A woman commented about the chaos of his presidency, but he quickly reminded her of the Biden family corruption, the open border crisis, grocery and gas prices, and the wars we’re supporting.
When another woman asked Trump about his plan for retribution against the Deep State, he said frankly “We’re going to be making the country so successful again, I won’t have time for retribution.”
Commenting how Biden and others took seriously his response to being a dictator if elected, he jokingly referred to being a dictator only on Day One, to halt the march of migrants and to restart energy independence.
In a lengthy piece, “Donald Trump, America’s Comic,” journalist Matt Taibbi humorously wrote about following Trump around Iowa. “As lawsuits, indictments, and ballot challenges mount, a defiant Donald Trump tells America he’ll be here all week. “Trump was a violin short of Henny Youngman. He had everything working.”
The Other Candidates
When we see DeSantis and Haley, standing side by side, exchanging insults and accusing the other of lying, it’s easy to understand Trump’s decision to stay out of the “debates.” Trump afraid to debate? Ridiculous.
There are others still in the race, but we can only ask, why?
Going out on a limb …
… here’s what I see ahead. I think Trump could get 50 percent of the vote in Iowa, and if he goes on to win in New Hampshire, it’s all over.
If Haley comes in second in Iowa, I believe it’s the end for DeSantis because Haley has the endorsement of New Hampshire Gov. Sununu.
… but not so far as to predict Trump’s running mate. He did indicate in the Fox Iowa town hall, however, that he already has someone in mind.
The Biden Campaign
Ironically, as the Biden campaign wants to see Trump’s legal battles continue as a distraction for him as he feels the need to jump from the campaign trail to courtrooms, the Biden “brand” continues to suffer as Hunter Biden’s legal woes continue and the president looks older every day.
Speaking of age … during First Lady Jill Biden’s appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe softball interview with Mika Brzezinski, she said, “I say his age is an asset.”
“Does yet another one (campaign) give you any pause thinking of, like, the personal health and well-being for both of you? The division in this country, the cruelty of MAGA Republicans against your family. Does any part of that once in a while think, ugh, maybe we bow out?” – Mika Brzezinski
“Can he do it,” asked Brzezinski. “He can do it,” the first lady responded. “I see Joe every day. I see him out, you know, traveling around his country. I see his vigor; I see his energy; I see his passion. Every single day.”
I have frequently been critical of Jill, allowing her husband to run. Surely, she sees what we see, and more. Does she think we don’t see her assisting him off the stage?
Yet again, she responded to Brzezinski saying, “That’s why I want to go through another campaign,” while repeating what Joe says, “democracy, our freedoms are what’s on the line.”
Does she really believe that her husband offers Americans “strong, steady leadership, someone fighting for democracy,” and that Trump would fail that test?
Keep an Eye On …
In Trump’s civil court case in New York, Attorney General Letitia James is calling for a $370 million fine in a bogus fraud case. She may win there, but it will be appealed.
In the Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ case against Trump is doomed to fail as we have discovered that her lover, who she paid to assist in the prosecution, visited the White House twice and billed the county for $1,000 for each of two visits. The White House has denied any coordination on cases against Trump
May God continue to bless the United States of America while voters exhibit the patience of Job.
