Running The Tables

(Running The Tables)

One can start with a sad story. Any look at a Calander will show that Christmas is all but here but as that occasion nears, this year "there will be room in the Inn." Bethlehem, as a West Bank Palestinian town and in a display of solidarity with their compatriots in Gaza, is removing Christmas decorations and this year is ignoring the Holiday altogether so Christians need not travel to celebrate Jesus' Birth so no hotel was booked, hence room at the Inn. That is ironic as Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace in a region that could use some. There is a more practical consideration as Christian tourists contribute to Bethlehem's economy which will not happen this year. So, no t-shirts, icons, holy water shot glasses.


In any event, in an attempt to keep Donald Trump from becoming President again, several states have made an effort to keep the former President off the ballot altogether. If Trump can be off the ballot in certain states, the logic goes, votes cannot be cast on his behalf. If Trump cannot be counted in Colorado or Michigan for example, then he loses those Electoral College votes.


However, federal judges in all states said that Trump will appear. Any attempt to hobble Trump by keeping off the ballot is not Constitutional and so the former President can play nationwide and that is despite Trump's legal "troubles." One other who perhaps also has legal issues himself is President Biden. He had his own mis-handling of classified materials in various locations, but, unlike Trump who had his Mar A Lago estate raided, any Biden materials can stay safe in his garage.


Legally, then the President is not in much jeopardy but politically, that is a different matter. Biden is losing to Trump in most metrics and is could also be facing a fractured Democrat Party over the Administration's "support" for Israel. However, while Biden is President in a time of the Israel-Hamas war, he cannot be considered a "war time" President because he is refusing to actively wage it.


So, if current trends continue, in a situation that was un-thinkable only months ago, former President Trump is in a better position now than before. If he can maintain this strength when the Primaries begun next January, and Trump still comes in first in Iowa and then New Hampshire, and points beyond. Back to the White House ?

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