Uh oh, Trump and GOP. You've got a real fight now that Biden won't be on the ballot

Lamarr Houston

Remember in 2022, when you were absolutely sure how you were going to take control of the Senate and coast to a big win in the House? Sure you do, because you bombed, failing to take the Senate and just squeezed by in the House.

Will this happen once again?

I am reminded of Lamarr Houston. He was a $35-million star Chicago Bears defensive end who woefully hadn't made a single sack all season…until a game against the New England Patriots.

He celebrated. Whoop! Whoop! Jump up and down! So happy that-oops—he tore his ACL. Sat out the rest of the season, he did.

Similarly, the Republican National Convention was an energetic, impressive, stirring event. Everyone agreed that it was the best political convention in years. Confidence flowed. A November victory became a given. Commentators (at least at FoxNews) talked as if Trump should start packing for the White House. Whoop! Whoop! Joy unalloyed.

Then Joe Biden resigned the presidency and now Kamala Harris is the designated hitter, even more unqualified to be commander-in-chief than Biden. Crowing was heard from every Republican precinct. Once again, Republicans are acting like it’s a sure win. It’s oooovvvver!

Until it isn’t.

Anyone who believes this election is in the bag is delusional.

I understand that those inside the convention hall and supporters in Trumpland throughout America can believe that the election will be a cakewalk. But not everybody was in the hall or watched. Just as Trump supporters feed off each other’s confidence, progressives ensconced in their own world reinforce each other’s disbelief about how anyone could vote for Trump.

Independent voters and those with moderate views in a handful of states will control the election. Neither side can win without them.

It appeared that Trump was reaching out to them in the beginning of his acceptance speech. Until he didn’t.

I suppose he couldn’t help himself. As he droned on for more than 90 minutes, he reverted to his old self, bringing up past egoistic themes and insults. The 2020 election was stolen. He’d deport —how many?—10- 15- 18-million illegal aliens—a logistical nightmare and impossibility.

He can’t help speaking in superlatives. Such as, “We’ve got the greatest economy in the history of the world.” How does he know? Has he studied every economy in the history of the world? Hyperbole? Certainly. But that kind of ego-driven claim is precisely what puts off the independents he needs.

His post commenting on Biden’s resignation is exactly the kind of nastiness that could him lose the election:

Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve – and never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t - And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

He could have been gracious. Biden has been humiliated. What is to be gained by trashing him? Sure, his base eats it up. But how does that get him the support he needs? It only makes Trump, who lost to Biden, feel better.

I just listened to Kamala’s first campaign speech. She’s quite adept at reading cliches off a teleprompter. The audience ate it up, generating the same kind of joy, determination and enthusiasm we saw at the GOP convention. She may be—she is—a horrible vice president. She’s on he side of the wild-eye progressives.

But she’s got plenty of time to energize her base. And capture the votes of those who previously would reluctantly vote for Trump because of Biden’s cognitive and physical declines. With Biden’s departure, however, they now have a choice that many will relish.

I believe that Trump has this election to lose. He can blow it if he continues to write off those in the undecided middle.