Now Comes The Hard Part
“I let you drive around in my mind.
I can’t count the times you made me feel like I am nothing.
Played me like a fool.
Like a fool.
You ain’t nothing but a liar.
You burned me one too many times.
Like a devil in disguise, hiding your true colors.
You are nothing but a liar.
Yeah, I walked right out the fire.
Yeah, you try to keep me down.
Try to put me underground.
But, I’m only going higher.”
Winning elections is hard. Governing is harder. We will have lots of opportunities to analyze what happened in this week’s election over the next 2 1/2 months until Donald J. Trump is inaugurated as only the second American President to serve two non-consecutive terms. (The first being Democrat Grover Cleveland in the 19th century.) With most of this missive, I would like to focus on the difficult challenges ahead for the new American government.
But first, let me crow a little. At the time of this writing (early afternoon Mountain Standard Time on Wednesday, November 6th) it appears that the election results were pretty much as I predicted. Trump winning of course. But Republicans taking the Senate with at least 53 seats. This is a significant margin since it keeps the two more moderate members of the caucus (Collins (R-ME) and Murkowski (R-AK)) from blocking majority vote confirmations or legislation. There are many House seats still not “called.” But it is very likely that Republicans will retain their majority in the House with similar numbers to the last Congress.
This will give President-elect Trump a friendly Congress similar to what he had when he was elected in 2016. That said, every president, save one, since 1992 lost the majorities with which they were elected in their first mid-term election. The one exception is George W. Bush, and he lost the majorities in the mid-terms of his second term.
Obviously, the goal will be to not lose those majorities in 2026. But since history says that is difficult, probably best to get as much done as you can in your first two years.
So, what needs to get done? Let’s take a look at just a few of the major burning issues that were central to this campaign. It is very easy while campaigning to say you will “fix” something. Doing the “fixing” is actually very hard.
The Middle East: Israel will now have an ally to support them without reservation. Reportedly, Trump spoke to both Netanyahu (for 20 minutes) and the Saudi Crown Prince this morning. Peace in the middle east was close at hand before Biden/Harris pulled away from the Abraham accords in 2021. It will not be easy, but eliminating Iran’s nuclear program and either a regime change there or isolating them can bring peace to the region. I am optimistic.
Ukraine: I am less optimistic here. The regime media propaganda has seen Ukraine as “Biden’s war” and therefore only covers successes by the Ukrainian military and not their setbacks. Media has been quiet of late. Things are not going well. The Russians have a long history (at least since 1812) of being willing to send men to die in droves to win wars of attrition. The author of “the Art of the Deal” will want to make a deal here. You make the best deals when you approach from a position of strength. But many in the Trump circle now are fervent anti-war people and not traditional Neo-conservatives. Will they arm Ukraine more to make a deal? Or will they go straight to whatever deal they can make? Trump is committed to ending this war as he was to getting the US out of Afghanistan. But he will not do “a Biden” and end it in such a way that sacrifices everything that has been gained so far. This will be hard.
China: Whether it is threatening Taiwan, cyber attacks on the US government, price subsidies to industries to dominate the supply of many products necessary for defense or continuing oppression and slavery in country, China is the worst major actor on the world stage. Trump has a mandate to be tough. But that toughness involves tariffs and more military spending. Both of those things will increase inflation and the deficit.
Deficit: Speaking of the deficits, neither campaign talked much about them. But it is all the financial world can think about. Ernest Hemingway famously said that his bankruptcy happened, “gradually, then suddenly.” US National Debt has been in the “gradually” phase for 25 years. “Suddenly” is around the corner. Clinton advisor James Carville was once asked if he would like to be president. He said no. He would rather be the bond market because it is more powerful. The bond market is starting to tell the Treasury that you better get this debt under control or we won’t buy your bonds anymore. Trump will want to increase defense spending and cut taxes. Neither of those will help the deficit. Elon Musk says they can cut $2 trillion from federal spending. If he means over 10 years, that is doable. In one year, it is not. Trump will want to cut a bunch of government, increase defense, cut taxes, stimulate the economy and hopefully grow out of the deficits. Easy to say. Tough to do.
Inflation and the Economy: This was a major campaign issue. Both candidates said they would fix it. I am not so sure. There are many factors not in the control of the White House that lead to inflation. You can cut federal spending and suck cash out of the economy and that would help. But you might trigger a recession. Tariffs may restore jobs in the US and secure our national defense but everything will cost more. Like the debt and deficit, lowering inflation without hurting economic growth is possible, but very hard to execute.
The Border: Returning to the policies of the first Trump administration should secure the border and prevent any more massive illegal immigration. But, what about the 10 million that Biden/Harris let in over the last four years? And how many more will they let in over the next few months? Trump said he would deport them. How do you find them and how do you avoid the what the regime media will show over and over of children crying as their mothers and fathers are taken away by federal officers? Those visuals may be fake of made up or exaggerated (because that’s what our propaganda media does) but that doesn’t mean they won’t be effective.
Abortion: This one is easier. The Dobbs decision handed this issue over to the states, and that is where the fight will remain for at least the next 2-4 years. Hard-core pro-lifers will want federal legislation, but they will not get it.
I know there are many more issues and things to talk about. But what I listed above seem to be the main areas over which this election was fought. There will be “Make American Healthy Again” and reforming the DoJ, and dismantling the Deep State and lots of other initiatives.
But none of this will be easy. Much will likely not happen. Washington, DC is a massive ship which does not turn easily or quickly. The good news is that Trump demonstrated in his first term that he can pick very able people and is quick to fire them if they are not doing the job. People are policy and good people will do a good job. Did you know Biden has not fired a single cabinet member? I’m not sure if that has ever happened before.
The song I picked for this week is by Jelly Roll, who is one of country music’s current top stars. He is a convicted felon, turned strong Christian and talented musician and song writer. I thought the lyrics were perfect for what the regime media and Kamala Harris did - trying to get into our minds with lies. I saw and heard hundreds of Harris ads here in Arizona. They were all either platitudes (“I am for you!”) or outright lies.
They failed. The loser in any major election always has to do some soul searching as to why they lost and what they can do to win next time. More about that in future missives.
Until then, I dedicate this victory to the memory of Peanut the Squirrel. May he have plenty of acorns in squirrel heaven.
I remain respectfully,
Congressman John Campbell
Drive Fast & Live Free