Must Be Thursday

(Must Be Thursday)

What is not in the news these days ? The White House had to play a "Where's Waldo" with Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, who was in the hospital to treat prostate cancer. Hunter Biden crashed his contempt hearing in the House Oversight Committee. Former President Trump is completing his civil trial in New York. However, and more significant, former New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie finally ended his candidacy for President.


Chistie is a curious case. As a popular Republican Governor in mostly "blue" New Jersey. Christie was given a headlining speech at the 2016 GOP Convention. When Donald Trump was first elected, the former New Jersey Governor was tagged to head the Trump transition. However, the last time Christie handily won the Executive Mansion in Trenton, several members of his staff wanted to harass the Democrat Mayor of West New York, New Jersey by closing the George Washington Bridge. The stunt back-fired, and the Christie staff members in question were fired. So, the relationship between the former developer/TV star and the former New Jersey Governor soured.


Then Donald Trump failed to be re-elected in 2020. Governor Christie spent the next months  touting his last victory in New Jersey while Donald Trump "lost to Joe Biden." Christie began to fashion himself as the next logical choice to succeed Trump as the 2024 Republican Nominee. Other Republicans also joined the race, the remaining being Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis.


Now, on the eve of the Iowa Caucus, it was plain that Christie, who was never able to crack 5% in polling despite participating in all Republican debates. Christie's belief that Donald Trump could not beat President Biden, a belief initially shared in these Pages and thus was himself positioned best to carry the GOP banner into the next election. That logic was sound until the former President announced his own candidacy and began to discuss issues. What might or might not have happened in 2020, Trump in his new effort would be policy focused. The other thing that was a part of the new Trump campaign is all the legal issues the former President faced made him a sympathetic figure. In a lot of ways, Trump was made a martyr.


Right now, Trump is in a New York courtroom facing charges in hi civil trail. Even so, he seems set to prevail in Iowa next week. It is believed that Governor Christie's departure, his supporters ostensibly could switch to Nikki Haley that could provide the former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador some strength in the New Hampshire Primary. She might not beat Trump out-right in the Granite State but she might come closer than others have. However, Haley is losing in South Carolina. And, for his part, Governor Christie in a hot mic episode, said that his view of Haley was not encouraging.


In a Iowa town hall aired by Fox News, Donald Trump did announce that he has decided on a running mate. In his mind, the prepatories are concluded and that he will be the Republican Nominee, again. But he is still in court, Secretary Austin is in the hospital, Hunter Biden is on the lam from Congress and Chris Christie, is out of the Race.

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