I was going to write you a short note to congratulate you (I guess) for becoming the first officially-announced candidate for president…in a primary season whose first election is still more than a year away, for a general election even more distant than that. But we both know that I wouldn’t have been sincere, so I didn’t do it. I know how you hate the phoniness that’s unfortunately so typical of politics, and God knows I don’t want to add to it.
I think I understand why you announced when you did—to try to get commitments from big money donors before they sign up with Jeb, and to capitalize on any remaining Tea Party fervor that hasn’t just naturally bubbled off since November. I take it you feel that was worth the chance, even if it flies in the face of the fact that in recent times the first person to announce does not end up winning. And I guess I understand why you announced where you did—forsaking stages in both the nation’s capital as well as your state’s capital, and even your hometown here in Houston, you chose a setting deep in the heart of the Christian extremist movement to say loud and clear, I am here to be the president of Born Again America and the rest of you better watch your step.
What the hell, it’s your campaign…do it however you want. I will note that while you have the advantage of at least being an alternative to another Clinton, or yet another Bush—a not insubstantial advantage, to my mind—you are also following in the footsteps of Barack Obama by aiming for the top after having barely dipped your toe in an elective office. Your hubris is showing, buddy, and I imagine they had something to say about that back at Faith West Academy and Second Baptist.
Can you win? There is so much time before anyone casts the first vote that actually means something, and so many unknowns that could go one way or another during that time—and that’s both the known unknowns as well as the unknown ones—it’s impossible to say. So sure, I guess you could win…and I could finally break 80 on the golf course. I can get you the names of some folks who can help quantify that possibility for you, if you’re interested.
So as you set off on this adventure, no doubt intensely secure in your belief in yourself, I’d suggest looking out for this one way that you might be able to expand your appeal: try to be less of an asshole. It couldn’t hurt.
