Nice Guys Finish Last — By John Reed

Nice guys finish last
Not since Lincoln‘s first election in 1860 have we seen the kind of polarization sweeping the country these days. Steven Douglas, a Democrat, won the slave states… many of which seceded before Lincoln‘s inaugural in March of that year.
At the time, Abe was seen as a genial backwoods type, vastly underestimated by his opponents. Four years later, he was considered the greatest president in American history. That contrast of substance over style repeats itself time and again, especially in the area of world affairs.
Winston Churchill was brash and more or less disliked universally in England before World War II. And yet had Neville Chamberlain remained Prime Minister, they would be speaking German in London today.
Jimmy Carter was highly regarded as a person, yet his presidential term was considered at best ineffective. Ronald Reagan’s jovial populism was sneered at during his campaign yet he became one of the best presidents of the modern era.
And so now today we are faced with a choice between a critically weak incumbent and his competitor. Even Biden‘s opponents will admit he comes off as basically a nice old guy. Even Trump‘s people will admit to his overbearing narcissism.
But who does the country need more right now? A bumbling grandfather figure or a mean SOB?
Taking a look at the other major players on the world stage these days, and we see plenty of mean SOB’s… Putin, Xi, Netanyahu… it’s pretty clear that our current nice guy can’t keep up with them. Even those who can’t stand Trump must admit the world’s dictators were held in check during his first term.
The usual suspects will doubtless spill ink confirming their own TDS. And to be fair Trump himself is his own worst enemy sometimes. That said, the vast majority of courtroom antics we see currently are obvious examples of what’s become known as “lawfare“… the same justice system that turns loose thieves and rioters is being used to try to swing the election.
Actually, being called a crook by the Democrats is a term of endearment. And we need that kind of crook back in the White House.