Facing the dire scenario I laid out in the last post, Republican Presidential wannabes will attend their first debate on Wednesday, August 23rd. Former President Trump may or may not show. I believe he won’t. Why take incoming from the likes of no-chance Chris Christy? Let the former New Jersey Governor and others continue to beat up on Trump’s closest challenger, Ron DeSantis.

As I’ve pointed out, the Florida Governor has faced an unprecedented attack from all sides since he scored a resounding reelection victory. Trump spent millions on negative ads long before DeSantis could wind up his Florida duties and declare. Democratic allied media never let a day go by without several negative stories. When given a chance, other Republican candidates joined in.

While several of the debaters have executive experience as successful governors, not unexpectedly, the two getting the most pre-debate buzz are the two without government administrative experience: Senator Tim Scott and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. 

Besides echoing some standard Republican boilerplate like “energy independence” and sealing the border, Scott offers little of the toughness to turn the government away from its present anti-democratic course. Having a sunny disposition and trying to be everyone’s friend indicates more of the same.

Joining Vice-President Kamala Harris in her phony attack on Florida’s Slavery curriculum to play the race card on DeSantis shows that under his likable guy persona is a dark side. It reminds me of Joe Biden.

Ramaswamy is auditioning for vice president on Trump’s ticket. Promising to pardon Trump is a giveaway. Writing and talking about being “anti-woke” and being in the trenches getting actual legislation and policies to combat the movement is a different thing. A governor has to do stuff. Vivek is this election cycle’s, Mayor Pete. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum’s record is far more impressive if you want a successful tech tycoon. 

So long as Trump dominates the news with his endless indictments and court appearances, any story out of the debate will have a short life. The Democratic plan is working perfectly. The candidate they fear most is Ron DeSantis bloodied with plenty of Republican help. Trump will lock up the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday or earlier. As soon as he’s locked in, Joe Biden, either for health reasons or because of a smoking gun proving he’s a crook, will throw open the nomination.

A fresh face (Gavin Newsome?) rides in to trounce a candidate 53% of Americans say they would not have their vote. Who could have seen this? Apparently, not the Republicans. Indeed not the leadership or all those “intelligent” people on Fox and Newsmax. Most of their broadcasts are devoted to painting Trump as a victim, which is what the Democrats want.

However, sometimes the Gods favor fools. Whistleblowers from the Internal Revenue Service just might’ve upset the Democratic timeline. A plea deal protecting Hunter Biden from further charges was in place with a complaint Department of Justice to stall any damning findings against the Biden family till after Trump sealed the Republican nomination. 

Filing an amicus brief, a House committee that contained the whistleblower’s claims of DOJ improprieties with the Judge asked to sign off on the deal alerted her this deal wasn’t kosher. She asked a few questions, and the agreement blew up.

Appointing the same prosecutor that made the highly suspect plea deal appears to be a desperate attempt to stave off the inevitable linking Joe Biden to the family influence peddling business till Trump secures the nomination.

Following the money, the House Committees, in just seven months, have tracked the money right up to Joe’s doorstep. The smoking gun can show up any day now. 

This situation may force the president to stand down from reelection earlier than planned. Throwing the Democratic nomination open before the Republicans commit to Trump changes the dynamic.

For instance, a series of Debates between Gavin Newsome and Ron DeSantis, set for November, takes on a new dimension. Polls probably will show Newsome and other younger Democrats with a big lead on Trump. Instead of a close race between two geezers, it’s a bright young candidate against an old guy loaded with baggage that more than half the people will never vote for.

No matter how much some Republicans want to stand with Trump, elections are about winning. This realization may cause Republicans to take another look at its stable of competent younger candidates. A good debate showing against Newsome could put DeSantis in a new light.

The Republican governors uniformly have better records of accomplishment than any of the younger Democrats. This fact gives the GOP a leg up in an open election. The poor result of the Biden policies gives the populace a taste for change.

The choice is between a solid chance to win and change direction to a better future or an almost certain loss continuing the march to an Imperial government.

However, we’re talking Republicans here, so taking the wise course isn’t a given. For instance, the party could put forward the inexperienced Vivek Ramaswamy. The nation will likely refrain from turning the country over to a practitioner of the Michael Aenati school of self-promotion loaded contradictory policies. Still, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is the Republican game plan.