By Patrick F. Cannon

Did you see Donald Trump’s Georgia mug shot? Of course you did. Even if we try to hide, he insinuates his way into our daily lives. I wonder how many times he practiced that scowl? I can see him in his New Jersey hideaway, rehearsing in front of a full length mirror. He’s wearing the inevitable blue suit and red tie (does he even own a brown or grey suit?). His hairdresser is in the background, ready to apply a bit more spray if needed.

            It’s important that he gets the look right. After all, this is the first time a former president is going to get his mug shot taken. Another first, along with being impeached twice, and facing 91 felony indictments in four separate jurisdictions. Some of us might be concerned at that much legal attention, but Trump seems to thrive on it. After all, he has turned all of this into mounds of cash. And this time, his mug shot will be monetized into caps, coffee mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers, and beer Koozies (if you don’t know what that is, you’re probably some Commie wine drinker).

            Trump sees no reason why his loyal supporters shouldn’t pay his legal fees. Since they are sucker enough to do it, he won’t have to go to the trouble of stiffing his lawyers (who, I’m sure, are asking for upfront payment, just to be on the safe side). The Politico web site publishes an average of several polls, which show that Trump has 55.4 percent support among Republicans. Even though only 24 percent of registered voters are Republican, that’s still millions of potential customers.

            Nationally, Trump consistently has support of about 43 percent of registered voters, trailing President Biden by about 1.5 percent. The nearly 15 percent who are currently undecided will eventually tilt the balance. In the meantime, there are currently eight Republicans who are running against Trump. Strangely, when asked at the recent debate whether they would support Trump if he got the nomination, fear of alienating his supporters encouraged six of the eight to raise their hands. Ron DeSantis apparently looked around to see who was raising their hand. When it looked  like the “ayes” would have it, only then did he raise his, a fine example of political courage. If they all love him so much, why are they running?

            In the meantime, and to be fair, more than 50 percent of Democrats wish President Biden would decide not to run. He’ll soon be 82, and would be 86 if he wins and survives a second term. In the tit for tat that characterizes our politics these days, Repbulicans in Congress are busy trying to prove that he used his political offices over the years to unlawfully enrich himself and his family. His son Hunter has clearly crossed a few lines over the years. Since they control the House of Representatives and have subpoena power, the Republicans have every opportunity to prove their suspicions. So far, no dice.       

            To be honest, nothing surprises me about our politicians, Joe Biden included. If he did what they think he did, he would be no more qualified to be president than Trump. At the moment, however, I struggle to think who might be.

Copyright 2023, Patrick F. Cannon