By Colleen O’Connor
“Beat the Clock” was a 1950-1960’s era television game show.
Contestants were required to perform tasks (called “challenges”) within a certain time limit which was counted down on a large 60-second clock. If they succeeded, they were said to have “beaten the clock”—otherwise, “the clock beat them.”
Prizes, cash winnings and audience participation came with bonus and “super bonus stunts.” The winnings could be as high as $1,000 dollars.
Lucky Loser, a new bestseller by Pulitzer Prize winner Susan Craig and Russ Buettner, chronicles Trump’s many financial failures, which with unbelievable luck, turned into successes.
Which will prevail in November? Trump’s uncanny ability to beat the judicial system by gumming up every possible route to accountability with appeals layered on appeals or chaos.
For example: Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsification of business records in the first degree, which is a felony in New York. Appeal.
More than election fraud 60 cases that Trump filed alleging voter fraud were thrown out as “without merit.”
Indeed, 38 judges appointed by Republicans were among the 86 judges who rejected the lawsuits. Still on appeal.
Remember the Stormy Daniels “hush money” payments’ case, then E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit? Trump lost both. He was fined more than half a billion dollars when courts found that he had defamed Carroll and committed financial fraud in his business. On appeal.
Not counting the allegations of sexual assault. The Mar-A-Lago stolen documents case; the Georgia state racketeering/conspiracy case against Trump and 18
others, with the aim of stealing the 2020 election.
Defending costs lots of money. Trump loses. He appeals. And beats the clock.
“All of this means that Trump heads toward the election as a convicted felon and with three serious cases hanging over his head, it also means that he will not go
on trial again before the election.”
For an exhaustive and complete list click The Atlantic
But wait, there is the ultimate backup plan. The Republican U.S. Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade will stall and find some escape verbiage that benefits Trump.
Still, a snag for Trump, et al. Women’ reproductive rights.
Trump’s team has lost every statewide ballot initiative to reverse the 2022 Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. In the seven states that have voted on abortion measures since then, anti-abortion supporters have lost every time. Now add 7 more states that have women’s reproductive rights on their ballot this November.
“Voters in the swing states (Arizona and Nevada), blue-leaning states (Colorado, Maryland and New York) and red-leaning states (Florida, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska and South Dakota) will have the ability to directly decide the future of abortion access this fall. Among the organizers who submitted signatures to
qualify an abortion rights amendment for this year’s ballot, only those in Arkansas fell short.”
There is the snag in “beat the clock.” Each of these swing states will probably follow the earlier election trends and possibly carry down ballot Democrats to victory.
Yet, “beat the clock” scenarios stick around.
- Georgia’s election board with 3 Republicans members voted to require hand counts of ballots after the machine counts. In court now and probably for years. Does this stop certification of the election?
- Do the damages from Hurricane Elene prevent voting and vote counting?
- Add Fake voter fraud charges tied up on courts of appeal with more in process.
- Another Jan. 6 th riot rerun?
Thus far, Trump’s beat the clock campaign is still winning. The clock froze.
Yet, what if he loses the Popular vote, the Electoral College vote, the House, the Senate and a Mega Maga loss ensues? A shutout. What then for Trump?
Enter: “Lucky Loser.”
Think about it. Lose the election avoid the headaches and disasters.
Monster hurricanes. A never-ending Russia v. Ukraine war. The Middle East minefield threatening not just Beirut, but “targeted” nuclear attacks.
Homelessness. Global immigration. No easy solutions. Someone else’s nightmare.
Is Trump capable of solving any of the above?
He could claim “rigged election” hug martyrdom and victimhood while making a blanket immunity deal and threatening the opposition with malice aforethought.
Or get Biden to pardon him for all federal offenses and convictions.
“Lucky Loser” may be preferable to being a President with no way out and a possible WWIII on the horizon.
“Lucky Loser” indeed. The Clock has frozen.
New hurricane is a Category 5!!