Trump's First Week - Undeniably Yuge
One Mistake - BIGLY (plus the Bangles, Fleetwood Mac, and the Mamas and Papas)
The 1988 baseball movie Bull Durham has a scene in which the rookie sensation Ebby Calvin “Nuke” Laloosh, played by Tim Robbins, wants to “announce his presence with authority” with one of his blazing fastballs.
Long time veteran catcher, Crash Davis, played by Kevin Costner, objects to that decision noting that the batter they face is a first ball, fast ball hitter. That means he is looking for a fastball.
Veteran Davis relents to the ignorance of the rookie Laloosh but tells the batter what pitch is coming in order to teach his pitcher a valuable lesson.
Last week, Donald Trump 2.0 “announced his presence with authority” and threw a LOT of fastballs for strikes; however, he should have listened to some of his advisors when it came to the issue of pardoning the January 6th prisoners who committed acts of violence.
This unforced error will jeopardize the razor thin majority House as well as GOP control of the Senate during the 2026 midterms.
The House majority was gained with less than 7,500 votes and was likely to flip regardless, but Trump just handed the Democrats a free pass to counter the Republican’s narrative on crime.
Punch meets counter punch.
In politics, it’s always the counter punch that makes the difference. ALWAYS.
Narrative v. Counter Narrative? Counter narrative is deadly.
It will simply be a bridge too far for enough voters in close elections. Some will change their votes or just not show up. Those 2026 ads will be heavy on dissuading the 2024 low propensity first time voters who showed up for Trump and then happened to vote down ballot.
ABC exit polling:
In a weak two party system, the binary choice can yield quickly to None of The Above.
Right, Monty?
Reminder - the Electoral College is for NOT the House and Senate.
While many in the GOP are quick to reply, “Yeah, but Biden’s pardons were worse!” etc…
Joe Biden is not on the ballot in 2026 and frankly neither is Trump which is why you saw these headlines:
Politico: GOP senators criticize Trump over pardoning violent Jan. 6 rioters
The Hill: Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons divide House Republicans
Which Republican Senators criticized Trump? The ones who are “In Cycle” or on the ballot in 2026 - Lindsay Graham, Tom Cotton , Thom Tillis, Susan Collins…
Overall a successful week for Trump and a free home run for the other team.
The question remains - did Trump and his team learn the lesson?
I doubt it.
Looks like the upcoming free for all nomination in 2028 just started much earlier than expected.
OOPS.
Reminder - we are moving Virginia centric political analysis over to www.vafree.org
Here were three columns from last week’s General Assembly session:
(talk about not learning lessons. WOW)
Monday Music!
