2024 election kickoff

A few random thoughts as the GOP had their first primary debate in Milwaukee, kicking off the 2024 Presidential season:

Let the games begin...

1)  The skillset to be elected to a national office and the skillset to actually govern well once elected barely overlap, and seem to be growing further apart over time.  Being entertaining, clever with improv quips, and being able to raise money doesn't really help that much once you've actually won the office.  

2)  The GOP candidates keep acting like there will be an event- an indictment, a health issue, something- that removes former President Trump from the field.  That way, they can appeal to his voters without actually attacking him.

Maybe it's a smart strategy- but I doubt it.  People have been looking for something to cause voters to drop Trump for seven years.  

My question to all of the other candidates- why should the people who voted for Trump in the past vote for you over Trump instead?  What is your case to them?  

Because right not, ignoring Trump- or worse, sucking up to him- is a very bad look for all of you.

3)  I feel bad for Mike Pence.  Remember, the January 6th mob wasn't chanting to hang Joe Biden; they were chanting 'Hang Mike Pence'.  He did the right thing on January 6th and avoided plunging the country into a Constitution Crisis.  As he reward, a mob tried to kill him, his own president backed the mob, and he's despised by both parties.  

He's not my choice for President- I don't agree with him on much.  But I honestly believe he deserves a medal and heroic commendation.

4)  I remain a fan of Nikki Haley.  I don't agree with her on everything, but I think she is more capable of running the country than any of the alternatives.  I think she could win the general election.  But I don't know if the GOP primary voters are interested- she's currently 3rd in polling, but 30 points behind Trump.  

5)  As for the Democrats?  I think Biden's done a very good job- he's reduced unemployment without causing a recession, he's supported the Ukraine without getting us involved in the war.  But he'll be 81 in November, I don't know if he can handle four more years, and I don't have any reason to think that VP Harris is capable of being a good President.  I'll vote for Biden over Trump.  Any other GOP candidate, and my vote is gettable.