June 9, 2021
Man, I wish I had his cajones! I’m sure you’ve heard all about it by now. In an extraordinary example of showmanship, my President Donald Trump took over the GOP Convention in Greenville last weekend and put in his two cents in the NC Senate race by endorsing Congressman Ted Budd. While we all have been anxiously awaiting his eventual pick in this race, it took everyone by surprise that he chose this venue and occasion to do so. Reports are that Ted Budd himself didn’t know about it until 15 minutes before the announcement.
Let me be clear that whoever thinks they know what Trump is up to is an idiot. He creates his own playing field and determines the rules of the game as he goes along.
With that being said here is my take. I don’t think he will run for re-election but instead is setting himself up to be a kingmaker. Whether it be Elise Stefanik, Ted Budd or Ron DeSantis he is using his popularity to support and endorse candidates that will carry on his pro America agenda. I’m OK with that and would much rather have him setting the terms of conservatism than someone like a George Bush or Karl Rove. I just wish he had done this in a different and more appropriate setting. But that is not the way The Donald does business, is it?
Interestingly enough there was a straw poll taken at the convention and Walker won with an overwhelming margin. He won 44% to Budd’s 29% and McCrory’s 17%. I feel obligated to state that my friend Mark Walker asked for my endorsement (for what it’s worth ) early in his Senate campaign and I was glad to give it to him. He is a good man. Indeed, they are all good men and we need to back whoever wins the primary.
But hey, what do I know? It is going to be interesting to see how this plays out. In case you haven’t noticed I’m addicted to politics and it’s going to be interesting to see how McCrory, Walker and the other candidates react going forward. It should serve as a case study in campaign strategy in The Age of Trump.