Sunday Issues of the Week-August 11, 2024
Is Trump imploding?
Happy Sunday. This is Sunday Issues, my weekly take on issues that are driving the news. Election day is in 85 days, November 5, 2024.
I will be watching Donald Trump this week, expecting more gaffes, lies, negativism, threats, and buffoonery. When I write Friday Insights later this week, I will limit myself to only the most bizarre news.
The story of Trump’s decline gets more boring every day. And those who “know” Trump is mentally ill do not need additional evidence. Those who still support him despite the criminal convications, lying, January 6, racism and Project 2025, don’t want to hear anything negative about their leader. So wisdom says to keep the news about Trump to a minimum.
Curiously, Las Vegas oddsmakers are now recognizing the possibility that Trump may drop out of the 2024 race. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is now given 50-1 odds of being the next president. I won’t be making that bet, but former Trump communications director Anthony Scaramucci, the foul-mouthed Anthony Scaramucci, has predicted that if Trump keeps sliding in the polls, he will quit. We will see.
I will also be watching Joe Biden. Last week, I watched a video clip of the president welcoming the Texas Rangers baseball team to the White House. Biden appeared confused and asked, “What am I doing now?” at one point. Was the President joking, or is his decline accelerating? As we endure the remainder of the 2024 election, we need to hold open the possibility that Biden will surprise us again—and resign the presidency. I do not expect that, but it is worth keeping in mind. I wonder what an election between newly inaugurated President Harris and last-minute Republican substitute nominee Haley would look like.
The campaign issues are not issues.
The Trump campaign continues to search for something to stop Kamala Harris’ momentum. They have yet to find it. That is why Trump has reduced his schedule of rallies, but concerns about security and worries about what nonsense may come from Trump’s mouth may also have something to do with it.
Two “themes” have emerged since Harris became the Democratic candidate. The first is that Tim Walz’s military record is dishonorable and that he lied about having been in combat. I will not go into the details, but Walz retired from the National Guard to run for Congress. He also had already served for 24 years. How many people do you know who have served so long?
Walz's “lie” about his service appears to be an accident. He misspoke. In discussing gun safety, he referenced weapons that he “carried in combat.” Walz was never in combat. He is not making the claim of having seen combat now and did not while running for Congress or governor of Minnesota. I predict this issue will fade fast.
The second issue is Harris and Walz's “extreme left” policy positions. So far, this claim appears well received by Trump’s base and nobody else. As the campaign continues, the policy positions of both Harris and Walz will be examined more closely, accompanied by more investigation into the now-infamous Project 2025.
Trump is a man in a glass house.
Things are not looking up for Trump. The two issues he is running on so far may backfire on him. Democrats will (and are) responding to attacks on Walz’s military record by contrasting it with Trump’s successful efforts to avoid Vietnam. Any hard look at policy reminds us of the extreme right positions of Trump and Vance.
And one more thing—as we have read so much in recent days. Trump is now the old man in the race, looking tired and confused.
Throwing wads of mud.
Republicans are throwing wads of mud at Harris and Walz and seeing what sticks. So far, no hits.
On the radar screen:
The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. August 19-24, 2024.
Fox News presidential debate proposed by Trump. September 4, 2024
Hunter Biden’s tax trial begins. Early September 2024.
Presidential Debate, ABC. September 10, 2024.
Third presidential debate (NBC) proposed by Trump. September 25 (and other September dates).
Election Day. November 5, 2024.
I think it's time age limits were implemented for Congressional and presidential candidates/incumbents. Biden and Trump's combined ages takes us back to the Civil War. Whether Biden was pushed or not, he realized it's time to go. Trump should do the same. I say that knowing he won't. Well, unless money's involved. Then all bets are off.