By Ray Cardello for August 12, 2023, Season 21 / Post 18

The first 2024 GOP Primary Debate is less than two weeks away, which will be the primary season kickoff. All of the posturing to this point has been the pre-fight weigh-in and stare-off. It has not really meant too much. The polls have been erratic, with many candidates flip-flopping around, except for one constant-Donald J. Trump is dominating the race. Trump has been as high as 61%, and that is in Michigan, where they are not supposed to even like Trump.

Though having a tough go of it in the early stages, DeSantis is holding onto second place, but cannot cut into the wide lead by Trump. In every poll, Trump enjoys at least a 35 point lead, which widens with every indictment. In one of his many campaign spots, Trump says he is one indictment away from the Presidency. Whatever you think of Trump, you must admire his confidence and cockiness. The man has been indicted three times, has already spent $40 million on legal fees, and is beseeching them to bring it on. This man is going to break the Democrats’ spirit with his courage and determination.

Vivek Ramaswamy may be the wild card in this race. Young, energetic, charismatic, fearless, and absolutely brilliant. Vivek is everything you would want in a President, but he is an outsider. Like Trump in 2016, he is fighting the Washington establishment. I saw Ramaswamy in person in New Hampshire the week before he entered the race. He spoke about the WOKE, ESG Culture, and its devastating impact on America. He spoke confidently and without notes or a teleprompter. He had a total grasp of the topic. He took questions for forty-five minutes after his presentation, and there was no topic he shied away from. He will be a dominant force in the debates.

Then there is the rest of the field. Many have qualified for the debate but for what purpose? They do not have a snowball’s chance in hell with the nomination, but many have ulterior motives. Pence wants to have an opportunity to clear his name and distance himself from Trump on the big stage. Chris Christie wants a chance to sink Trump for his ego and sense of self-importance. Asa Hutchinson should have dropped out after his call for Trump to do the same. The remainder of the candidates, whether they will be on the stage or not, have no reason to remain in the race. They are garnering little attention and certainly not attracting any support. They should bow out before they embarrass themselves. Although, their poll numbers are no worse than Kamala Harris in 2015, and she managed to get one breath away from the Resolute Desk. This game of politics is unpredictable at best and depends solely on money in the bank. Support and momentum equals money.

It is time for Republicans to throw down their personal initiatives and unify their support behind whatever favorite emerges. If we do not beat Biden, Newsom, Whitmer, or whatever pawn emerges on the Left, none of the issues will matter. The future of this great country depends on the of the 2024 election. If the Left wins, the country loses. It is that simple.