Commentary
Biden
Rumors about Biden’s reelection are flying in Washington circles, including one in which former President Obama advised him to quit the race, convinced he’s lost his grip. There’s even one in which Biden plans to exit the race in July, with Michelle Obama replacing him.
“(These rumors) should be taken with a grain of salt,” writes Matt Margolis in PJ Media, while adding “there are plenty of reasons to believe them.” Referring to the warning signs that have been there for a long time, Margolis believes the ideal time for Biden to step back has long passed.
I’m not so sure.
“We have to demonstrate that he will not take power if he does run, making sure he – under legitimate efforts of the Constitution – does not become the next president again.” – President Biden, November 9, 2022
Trump
While the former president is convinced that he will be the party’s nominee in 2024, he objected to a leaked plan by the RNC to declare him the party’s “presumptive nominee, writing “No, thank you,” at truthsocial.com/@real DonaldTrump.
So much for Trump wanting to be a dictator.
The Border Issue
It has been suggested that Trump visit the border, where illegal immigration traffic continues to increase.
I like the idea if he would put to rest the left’s tales that he wants lawmakers to hold off on a resolution until he’s back in the White House to avoid Biden getting credit. The crisis on the border simply cannot wait.
He should go to the border with a recommendation that his border policies, wiped from the books by Biden, be reinstated, making the point that new funding will not be required.
Legislation allowing various quantities of migrants be permitted to cross each month must be squelched along with the continued recommendation of paths to citizenship.
An Eastern Elite for Haley
I have often paid tribute to Peggy Noonan, a former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan, who wrote his memorable “these are the boys of Ponte du Hoc” speech given at the 40th anniversary of D-Day at Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1984.
Years ago, however, Noonan, now a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, turned against Donald Trump, and is now encouraging Nikki Haley to continue her campaign in her home state of South Carolina, suggesting she “lean into being a woman.”
I found it interesting that Noonan, with her Washington experience as a wordsmith, couldn’t offer her advice from the female perspective. Instead, she turned to a friend, Landon Parvin, a long-time Washington speechwriter, for “useful advice.” As if she isn’t.
Why, after commenting on the well-meaning but useless advice candidates under pressure receive, would Noonan offer such a mixed message to Haley, intertwining her thoughts with those of Parvin?
As someone who has written a number of speeches, I can’t stress enough the importance of knowing the person for whom you are writing. Not just that you know who she is … know her.
Did Parvin really know Haley when he offered, “There’s something glorious about a last stand. Go for broke … go at him. You alone now carry the banner. Speak up for all the Republicans who have been demeaned, diminished, and threatened by Trump.”
I think not. It’s what she has been doing. He continued with other tips, but it occurred to me that he hadn’t heard her speak. Her “victory” speech in New Hampshire for instance.
If Haley reads Noonan’s column, she should take it as more useless advice. Telling her what men like to hear versus women, and offering suggestions like, “don’t be strident, don’t strain your voice,” come too late.
Further, it’s obvious Parvin doesn’t know Trump either when he suggests, “You can’t go wrong with gratitude, and grace for that matter, which are concepts her opponent does not grasp.”
Were Trump’s remarks on the passing of his mother-in-law during the campaign not heartfelt? And what about the polite appreciation he showed toward those individuals, mainly women, who asked him questions in the townhall?
Telling Haley to “slow down your pace, soften your voice, tell an honest story,” after she has been a governor speaking to South Carolinians and our UN ambassador, taking on world leaders, and more recently crisscrossing Iowa and New Hampshire, comes too late and really not helpful. It’s like the dubious remaking of Kamala Harris.
My advice to both Haley and Trump: Forget your party opponent and tell us how you’re going to right the Biden train.
From My Stack of Stuff
Commenting on an earlier column by Noonan, in a letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal, James Votto of Lakeview, Oregon, wrote, “The reason we like Mr. Trump is that no one else could or should take that kind of punishment. They would acquiesce. These things (impeachments, embarrassment, and scandals) roll off Mr. Trump like water off a duck’s back.”
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
