The “Turtle” Versus the “Hair” – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - February 28, 2021

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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President Donald Trump

Okay, I am probably digging into my magic bag of puns and jokes here (as a former stand-up comedian). There is the classic tale, “The Tortoise and the Hare” about a race between the fast, but distracted competitor, against the slow, but a steady opponent. We all know how it ended. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“Who’s the ‘Turtle’ and Who’s the ‘Hair’?” – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) Kentucky is often called the “turtle” (by backers and critics alike), because of his looks. Even the late Rush Limbaugh called him the turtle on-air all the time. And, former President Donald Trump was often cited for his orangish-colored hair. So, the “Tortoise and the Hare” has now become, “The Turtle and the Hair,” for at least the next two political cycles. The impact could be huge.

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“A Blood Feud” – The post-election bitterness between Trump and McConnell has been downright nasty. There’s little dispute that Trump’s post-election defeat behavior cost Republicans the two Georgia U.S. Senate seats decided in the January 5th runoff election. That left the Senate deadlocked at 50-50, but control went to the Democrats because Vice President Kamala Harris is also President of the Senate, and can cast the tie-breaking vote. Trump cost McConnell his Majority Leader job.

 

“He Said What????” – In the aftermath of the November and January election losses, Trump referred to McConnell as a “dour, sullen and unsmiling political hack.” McConnell said during the impeachment trial, "Former President Trump's actions (preceding) the riot were a disgraceful – disgraceful – dereliction of duty. The leader of the free world cannot spend weeks thundering that shadowy forces are stealing our country and then feign surprise when people believe him and do reckless things." McConnell, despite his harsh criticism of Trump, ultimately voted “not guilty” arguing you can’t impeach and punish a president who is no longer in office.

 

“He Said WHAT??? Chapter Two!” – Now despite the very nasty public feud between Trump and McConnell, there came this shocker this week. When asked by Brett Baier on Fox News if he would support Trump if he won the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, McConnell said, "The nominee of the party? Absolutely."

 

“And McConnell’s Not Alone” – One of the biggest thorns in former President Trump’s backside has been Sen. Mitt Romney, (R) Utah who was the party’s 2012 presidential nominee. “I don’t know if he’ll run in 2024 or not, but if he does, I’m pretty sure he will win the nomination,” Romney said to the Deal Book DC Policy Project. He went on to say, “A lot can happen between now and 2024.” Romney added, “I look at the polls, and the polls show that among the names being floated as potential contenders in 2024, if you put President Trump in there among Republicans, he wins in a landslide.” Romney is the only Republican to vote guilty in both of Trump’s impeachment trials. Romney is part of a legendary three-generation political family and his experience and insight can’t be discounted.

 

“Politics by the Numbers” – We all know by now, that it’s a 50-50 tie in the U.S. Senate, but by virtue of the fact that Democrats won the White House, that makes Vice President Kamala Harris the tie-breaking vote in her role as President of the Senate. But historically the party out of power usually makes gains in the first midterm election. So, 2022, could swing things and certainly is more important than 2024 right now.  The U.S. House is 221 Democrats to 211 Republicans with three vacant seats. With a net gain of just seven seats, the GOP is back in charge, and it’s within reach. Why do you think Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R) CA, made his controversial post-election trip to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago? McCarthy wants to be Speaker of the House.

 

“Do the Math and Show Your Work!” – In 2022, Democrats will be defending 14 U.S. Senate seats, while Republicans are defending 20. Again, all it takes is a net gain of ONE seat to hold firm control of the upper chamber.

 

“What Say You?” – What do you think about the Trump-McConnell feud? Will they kiss and makeup (sorry for the visual), or do they head to the WWE wrestling ring? Click the comment button and let us know!

 

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Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states, and all the Washington, DC media market. He is a MINDSETTER contributing political writer for www.GoLocalProv.com and all of its affiliates.

 

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