Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Covid-19 May Ensure President Trump's Re-election (Freeper Editorial)
Original content | 5/12/2020 | By Laz A. Mataz

Posted on 05/12/2020 4:16:43 PM PDT by Lazamataz

The old chestnut, that American presidential elections are won on the fullness of the people's wallets, has been proven over the centuries to be accurate. The economy often influences whether an incumbent president, seeking re-election, will prevail and gain a subsequent term.

The global Covid-19 response is leading many to think that the world is facing a deep depression. The economy, being hobbled in a serious way, will be down quite a bit. That, muse pundits across the political spectrum, is likely to cause President Trump to fail in his bid to be re-elected.

While in normal times, this may be a reasonable conclusion, I'd like to offer another perspective: That this crisis may, in fact, help President Trump get his second term.

This crisis is perceived to be so severe as to be akin to wartime. In wartime, history shows us that no President has been defeated during a war. In two cases -- Truman and Johnson -- the attempt to be re-elected was abandoned, but not one time has a president been defeated during ongoing hostilities.

Abraham Lincoln had an illuminating quip that explained the phenomenon: "It is not best to swap horses while crossing the river.” This quote succinctly captures the reason people may tend toward the safe choice, the known quantity. People don't want to be surprised by a new direction by a new leader, in most cases. As a piece of supporting evidence, look at the fact that President Trump's approval ratings are at an all-time high.

I take the opposite view offered by the mainstream press. I believe that President Trump has a very good chance to be re-elected, and I believe that this stems in no small part to the fear of adopting a new leader during this time of hardship.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: coldcivilwar; freerepublic; whistlingpastgraves
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 last
To: RipSawyer

The 22nd Amendment was passed after Truman was elected, so it did not apply to him. (ex post facto)

He was eligible but chose not to run.


81 posted on 05/13/2020 9:13:02 AM PDT by jjotto (“Blessed are You LORD, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz

“I *am* insane. Utterly.”

As a farmboy growing up I had to milk the cow. I’m sure you can guess the outcome.


82 posted on 05/13/2020 11:02:32 AM PDT by RipSawyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: RipSawyer

Udder disaster.


83 posted on 05/13/2020 11:11:16 AM PDT by Lazamataz (China is the single source of evil in the entire world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: jjotto

You’re right, I’m in a fog but the other side is that many presidents chose not to run for a third term, FDR broke the tradition of not doing so, had Truman run again it would have been essentially running for a third term since FDR died so early in his last term.


84 posted on 05/13/2020 11:13:35 AM PDT by RipSawyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz

What also matters is who will win the House. These horrible, leftists democrats will stop at nothing to keep power and bankrupt our country. Just look at the $3 trillion bill the leftist democrats just passed on a party line vote in the House.

They will eventually come to murder us, folks and stop kidding yourself that democrats would not do it. They are the party of murdering babies. Do you think they would hesitate one second to murder you or I if they knew they could get away with it?

JoMa


85 posted on 05/16/2020 12:56:23 AM PDT by joma89 (Buy weapons and ammo, folks.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson