Donald Trump is no hero. He is extraordinarily lucky, apparently staying alive by an only few millimeters. Today, he lucked out again when Judge Cannon dismissed his case on technical grounds, claiming that the Special Prosecutor was improperly appointed. Clarence Thomas got his way after all and must be laughing all the way to one of his wealthy friend’s exclusive retreats. I am no political pundit, but my guess is that these events will increase the likelihood that he will prevail in an election against Joe Biden. Certainly can’t hurt.
If the need to run an alternate to Biden has been great, it is much larger now. The Democrats MUST change the story being woven as the election approaches. It is not a horserace between two old men. It is a choice between the kind of country we will be living in. One where law governs or one where power rules. One where all are equal as our forebears decreed or one where Rich White Christians Men call the shots. Given the recent Supreme Court rulings that have overturned well-established norms, the need to re-balance the power to govern to match the preferences out there in the populace is critical.
I know I am not saying anything new here. That is exactly my point. The battle continues as before even as these new events threaten to add more uncertainty. It is critical to change the story being told every day with a new one that exposes the threat to most American lives in a Trump Presidency. This attempted assassination can only embolden him. He already believes he walks on water and now he has some evidence he does. That he is the victim of his own doing matters not at all. The inherent violence in his language can only get larger.
It is hard for me to understand his popularity. He cares not at all for those that would elect him. A second term would be a race to see who would appropriate the biggest bundle of what now belongs to the public. I can hardly put these words down. I have no intent or wish to see bodily harm come to Donald Trump, but I fear the consequences of another term. He and his associates have already told us how they would behave and govern. I believe them. The Supreme Court has just empowered the presidency far above the Legislature. Those who have opposes the ruling coterie, as I have, are to be seen as the enemy, not the other side. I’ll close with this moving quote from a German cleric after the war.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
—Attributed to Martin Niemöller