I can’t remember when I first heard ‘River Deep Mountain High’ but when I did, it blew me away. To be honest I’ve always been drawn to songs featuring rivers, Springsteen’s ‘The River’ leaps to mind. Maybe it has something to do with living by the river Boyne and letting it meander through your soul and to spice everything up you throw in rock n’ roll. Tina Turner was a giant and if I had a regret it is that circumstances never arose when she could have played Slane. Curiously this week then, just before the news broke, I was talking to an old friend about such a scenario. If it had happened it would have been an honour. It brings to mind the duet she did with the late great David Bowie and the lyric “See You in the Sky” – nothing could be more apt.
So finally Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, announces that he is going to seek the Republican nomination to run for President. This, of course, places him four square against his mentor Donald Trump. The orange-looking Donald is none too pleased about this as DeSantis is a formidable challenger. For a start his back story is better. From an Italian-American family, his parents could be described as working class. However, he was ambitious and bright and got to Yale where he captained the baseball team and for good measure went to Harvard Law School. Then he joined the Navy and was deployed to Iraq as a legal adviser to Special Forces Commandos Seal Team One. So this presents a much cleaner image than the severely tainted Trump, who heads into the primary campaign facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in the Stormy Daniels case, which is likely to come to trial in March of next year. Add to this the investigation into Trump’s removal from The White House of government documents which were then stored in Mar-a-Lago. Some of these documents were classified and it still remains a mystery why he removed them. In his defence he has even claimed he declassified them, presumably by waving a magic wand. He could well be found guilty of violating the Espionage Act by keeping documents that, “Could be used to the injury of the United States.” He could also be charged with obstruction of justice. Then there is the Capitol Riot and heaven knows whether any charges will be brought there. Last but not least was his attempt to overturn the result from Georgia during the last Presidential Election. Who can forget his call to Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, when he said: “I just want to find 11,780 votes.” It remains to be seen whether he will be charged. Under these circumstances you would think Trump’s chances would tank. Unfortunately, not so, as Trump is still polling ahead of DeSantis. However, there is a glimmer of hope in that a high percentage of Republican voters are willing to consider other candidates. An interesting addition to the field is Tim Scott, the black senator from South Carolina. His opening shot: “Grievance or greatness – I chose freedom and hope and opportunity.” I hope he gives DeSantis and Trump a run for their money.
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