Dr. Oz, One of Trump’s Flying Monkeys
– By Ed Kociela –
It is incredibly rare for the incumbent party to hold onto, let alone gain, seats during the midterm elections.
Usually, unless the party of the president displays the unique ability to walk on water there is an average loss, since World War II, of 26 seats in the House and four in the Senate. And, voters will also seat 36 governors come November.
Clearly, the Democrats have had a difficult time keeping their heads above water let alone walking upon it these last few years.
It doesn’t matter that they have restored jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, that it took so long to gain an upper hand on the disease as a result of the MAGA mindset against vaccines and masks, and that the inflationary direction of the economy is a result of Donald Trump’s ill-directed tariffs as he pursued the folly of an “America first” foreign policy, Biden is floundering with abysmal popularity numbers and a general political ague that has become the essence of the psychophant bootlickers who still goosestep to Trump’s tedious drum. Add to all of this the redistricting — let’s call it what it is, gerrymandering — and there is a distinct possibility that the Republicans could flip both the House and Senate later this year. It would all but torpedo the Biden administration and likely set the table for another run by Trump, who has yet to win a popular vote. Another Trump presidency would be catastrophic to not only the United States, but men and women of good faith, goodwill, and good judgment universally, a tragedy of epic proportion, which is why the primary races taking place now are so interesting as Trump metes out his endorsements to lackeys invested in The Big Lie about election fraud in 2020.
So far, Trump’s post-election influence on the political fortunes of a number of candidates has been difficult to gauge. The most recent example, of course, would be in Pennsylvania where his support for Mehmet Cengiz Öz has so far resulted in the former reality TV host stuck in a virtual dead heat with David McCormick in the GOP Senate primary. The race will, undoubtedly, be decided in a recount and, of course, subsequent legal challenges by the Trump-inspired Öz should he fall short. Whoever emerges with the win will go on to face Democratic Lt. Governor John Fetterman in what will be one of the key races this November. The Pennsylvania governor’s race will also be an early indicator of the Trump-MAGA force as Democrat Josh Shapiro faces off against Doug Mastriano, who has been one of the ex-president’s loudest supporters preaching the Gospel of Lies regarding Biden’s decisive win.
Today, however, would be a good time to tune in and see just how effective Trumpian efforts have been in establishing the American Reich as voters go to the polls in Georgia.
The state saved democracy when Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger refused to create 11,780 votes for Trump to reverse the election in 2020. Trump has ever-since maintained a ceaseless attack on Raffensperger and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp who supported him — both Republicans — since they refused to circumvent the election results and has, instead, thrown his support to David Perdue and Jody Hice who have steadfastly parroted The Big Lie about voter fraud in Georgia.
Still, oddsmakers say Kemp should win easily against Perdue in today’s primary but could see it all come crashing down in November when he runs against Democrat Stacey Abrams, who nearly put him on the sidelines four years ago. Raffensperger’s fate could be a little less easy to predict considering Georgia is also the place where voters elected Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump’s strongest allies, sort of a female version of Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, recently subpoenaed to testify before the House’s Jan. 6 Committee to learn what he knew and when he learned it the day domestic terrorists attacked the United States House of Representatives and tried to overturn the 2020 election, the Constitution, and our system of orderly process.
Trump is a charlatan and it is a cause of great wonderment how he has held such a grip — unlike any other ex-president — over his party after leaving office.
I mean, there certainly is no respect or stature in remaining a tent post in the Trump camp, just mindless fealty. There is little to gain financially as Trump is exceedingly tight with his money when it comes to political contributions. His assumed power comes from the Trump brand being placed on the endorsement list and, sometimes, his high-profile campaigning in their behalf.
Literate voters are shocked by his lack of intellectual curiosity. Of course, this is a guy who would probably be just fine with filling his presidential library with comic books. Really, all that is left in his corner are the blunderers who can barely spell his name or wannabes who would love the opportunity to sleep with second-tier porn actresses or hang with failed B-level celebrities and washed-up rock stars.
My guess is that Trump never really liked being president, that the day-to-day responsibilities of the gig were beyond his comprehension and the intricacies and subtleties of American government were beyond his mental reach.
But, he likes being in power.
He likes the trappings of the presidency but has little interest in the mechanics of the job.
He likes seeing his name in the headlines, something that goes back to the days of Playboy Don, who used to call the gossip columnists in New York with items about his personal life just to see his name in print.
And, that is exactly why we are seeing the continuing drama of his endorsements, which are just another way for him to keep his name in the news.
That is also why you can pull back the curtain on the campaign of Dr. Oz and discover who really is the wizard.
Just beware of the flying monkeys.
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