Good morning,
I assume you’ve seen the news. The president and first lady have tested positive for COVID-19. Wow. It couldn’t get any weirder.
Couldn’t someone have timed this better? Musings for Friday were already put to bed and I was getting ready for the horizontal position. Then this comes along. Here are my quick takeaways:
FIRST, I WISH HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY
Really. I don’t wish sickness or death on anyone. Even a racist and misogynist. Even someone who has brought American democracy to its current crossroads and endangered the health of our republic.
SECOND, THIS WILL EMPHASIZE TO OTHERS—PARTICULARLY HIS SUPPORTERS—HOW SERIOUS THIS DISEASE IS
Anyone can get it. Even the president Maybe the more intelligent among them will “get the joke” by now. Wear masks, socially distance, this is serious.
THIRD, THE ELECTION IMPACT
• He’s in quarantine for two weeks, at a minimum. That means that from 32 days out to 18 days out from the election, he will be in quarantine at home.
• No more rallies. I think the absurdity and audacity of these non-mask-wearing gatherings is now over.
• At least one debate canceled. Thank goodness. Good for our country and Dennis’s blood pressure.
• Our focus on COVID-19, its status, our response, and its eradication. This is bad for the President. The focus of the campaign should solidify around the COVID-19 response, the cavalier nature in which the administration has handled this, and the failure of leadership.
• More people in the White House and the campaign will get sick. There were a number of people on Marine One with Ms. Hicks and Mr. Trump.
• Questions will be raised on the President’s movements upon learning of Ms. Hicks’s infection. Did he follow protocols? Did he ignore them? Did he attend a rally even after learning of her infection?
FOURTH, NOW WHAT?
• If he recovers quickly, he and his supporters could use this as “proof” that the disease isn’t so bad. The problem is that, with multiple infections, some will be worse than others, weakening this potential narrative.
• He will be off the campaign trail for a while.
• Now I really wonder about his mysterious unannounced weekend visit to Walter Reed late last year. How healthy was he really?
• Biden will be empathetic, which will rile the President.
CRAZY IDEAS
• What if he becomes seriously ill? He’s older, out of shape and obese. Could he be incapable of discharging the duties of office (he’s been unfit for a while but still able to act…)
• What if this is the opportunity for him to dodge losing the election? What if “for the good of the country” he steps aside? After…of course, pardoning everyone. And then Pence could pardon him in an act of charity and healing. Seriously, this could be the opportunity to declare victory, avoid a humiliating loss, and garner empathy and acceptance of the flurry of pardons.
WAS THE WORD “SCHADENFREUDE” COINED PRECISELY FOR MOMENTS LIKE THIS?
Texts were flying last night including, “My father hasn’t been this happy for six months.” “I wonder how people will feel about his rallies now.” “Karma, there is a god.” “This could be a reality show and no one would believe it.” “I’m shocked he admitted it.” “I’ve never wished suffering on anyone, but…” “I hope he’s not planning on drinking Clorox.”
IRONY
Tonight our Doctor-In-Chief pronounced, “the end of the pandemic is in sight.” I’m guessing his view may have changed in the hours after that statement.
Finally, “I can’t wait to see tomorrow’s musings!” I wish I didn’t get that one…it amounted to a challenge I had to accept. It’s late; I’m tired; this is my best at this point…
Maybe we’ll have a quiet weekend. Recent events don’t leave me confident.
Be safe,
Glenn
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