Mike Lee supporters, rejoice, Donald Trump has hitched his wagon to the Lee campaign. In today’s world of politics it is the objective and priority of our elected representatives to: #1, get re-elected and #2, vote the party line no matter what. Of course if something happens along the way that benefits the USA, well, that’s OK too.
Trump’s endorsement had an immediate impact as he anointed Mike Lee Utah’s #1 senator. I assume Trump does not embrace the fact that Mitt Romney has independent ideas, the fact that he dares put country over party, has a record of honesty, integrity, etc. Then Trump boldly followed up by denouncing Lee’s opponent and dubbed him Evan “McMuffin” McMullin.
Many past presidents are remembered for an outstanding action or speech. For example, FDR for “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” or JFK for “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,” or Ronald Reagan for “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
Those were profound quotations from strong leaders that were tied to momentous events. No former president, however, can hold a candle to Donald Trump’s ability to generate nicknames. According to Wikipedia he tied no less than 206 nicknames to political figures, foreign leaders, groups of people, organizations, TV programs, etc. You will remember Lyin’ Ted (Cruz), Broken old Crow (McConnell), Mike Pounce (Pence), Low Energy Jeb (Bush), Sleepy Ben (Carson), Mr. Magoo (Jeff Sessions), Truly Weird Senator (Rand Paul) and on and on.
I know — some of these folks started out bad (i.e., didn’t agree with Donald) then became good (kissed his ring) and some were good — then bad (when an independent thought occurred and did not line up with Mr. Trump’s).
Nicknames, when properly used, can bully and demean your opponents and help to ensure that priorities #1 and 2 above are achieved. This was evident in the 2016 presidential election process. I submit that there is more than ample reason to dub Mr. Trump the “nicknaming” president and to remember him as such.
The point of all this is that Mike Lee should be proud as punch to have the support of a man with so many of the character traits and qualities that we all want our grandchildren to emulate.
Bruce Baird, Sandy