Sorry for the fake headline. But got your attention? Zoltan is a Republican candidate for President, among many others, on Super Tuesday (ST) – Republican ticket.
But, how crazy is this? So is “Rocky” de la Fuente, Republican for President against Trump. And, yes – you heard it here first—that Rocky faces off against another “Rocky” de la Fuente (his son), on the Democratic ballot for president!
But, no, Trump is not “in trouble,” at least regarding his bid for re-nomination, although the impeached President is in trouble (and creating trouble) by a lot of other things (interference with the scales of Justice)!
He will have no trouble winning back the nomination, but—toss a coin—who will the Democrats choose? Senator Sanders currently leads in Texas. Senator Warren, 2nd place. In 3rd place is Mayor Mike Bloomberg! In Texas! Surprised? So was I. But yes, polls show support for “I Like Mike” is “gaining traction as one-time front-runner, Vice-President Joe Biden, struggles” (Don Gonyea, “Bloomberg Will Get It Done,” NPR, 14 Feb 20).
March 3rd, 2020 is the date for the primary election—in Texas and in 13 other states on ST. Early voting in Texas starts February 18th. What is “super” about that Tuesday? It will be held in 14 states, including the two most populated, California and Texas. Included are many other southern states—Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Oklahoma, though “Indian Territory” and not part of the treasonous Confederacy, is now quite “southern,” due to migration, racism, and voting patterns—predominantly Republican. Original reasons for ST were to push-back against results—usually more progressive in those days – in earlier primaries in the mid-west and northeast.
Soon, Texas will elect 228 Democratic delegates, plus 34 “unpledged” (to include 21 chosen by the DNC and 13 representing Congresspersons), or about 17 percent of the total. In short, Texas (and the heavily Democratic Valley) will have a great deal of leverage in choosing the Democratic nominee. Most candidates and most of their supporters have—mostly – been decent to one another, hoping for unity in the fall, against a seemingly unchecked Donald Trump.
Bloomberg, for example, has vowed support of the party nominee, should it not be him. The closest thing to a criticism—inferred reference to Sanders—is his philosophy of “evolution, not revolution” (Dylan Scott, Vox,14 Feb 20). It will be interesting in Texas, and across the nation, if Bloomberg’s generous contributions (millions to philanthropic causes—health, safety, education, environment—lesser amounts to political campaigns) over the years will help him overcome missing previous debates and primaries. (Nicolas Kulish and Alexander Burns, New York Times, 15 Feb 20). But he will be on the ST ballot March 3rd, and, it seems, before that, on February 19th, on the debate stage. Some advisers recommend “avoid debates,” keep relying mostly on Super Bowl and other well-financed ads. Some fear he is not an effective debater. Supporters respond: “all candidates have their flaws”—look at the current office-holder as President!
Other candidates are ahead in newspaper and individual official endorsements. Some downplay that type of support, but it cannot be discounted. In the Rio Grande Valley, “who you know” remains very important. Many voters trust well-known political and civic leaders and heed their endorsements. One such vocal leader, often in attendance at Sierra Club meetings and at United Farm Worker events, is the respected judicial official, Fernando Mancias, Judge, 93rdDistrict Court, Hidalgo County, Texas.
Mancias thereby joins accolades for “Mike” from former mayors of Houston, San Francisco, San José, and D.C. Some Democrats may be holding back, to examine further controversial past comments by Mayor Bloomberg and/or are waiting for results from South Carolina, Nevada, and ST. However, most of them (and perhaps many potential voters) do “like” Mike, for his ability to “reach across” party lines; e.g., persuading the otherwise very conservative, Senator Tooney of Pennsylvania, to support background checks.
So, it is not only Mancias of south Texas, but also former Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa; former Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter; former Mayor of Miami, Many Diaz; and Governor Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island whom we find already in the Bloomberg camp. Will there be more? Time and democratic elections will tell. Who needs a Zoltan or a De la Fuente, Sr? Who needs “transhumanism,” when a normal amount of humanism will suffice? When that occurs again—let us hope in November – it will certainly change the current inhumane administration. Or at least that’s the way it is should be seen by democratic and rational voters—of all parties.
