Over the past week I found myself thinking. When was the last time a sitting president challenged by a member of his own party during a re-election year and what happened?
It turns out one doesn’t have to look back too far. In 1976, Reagan ran against Ford. In 1980, Kennedy ran against Carter, and in 1992, Buchanan ran against Bush. Interestingly, all three of those sitting presidents, although they still won their party’s nomination, lost the general election.
Flash forward to today, where I have a hypothesis that only time will tell as to whether my mind runs at a snail’s pace or ludicrous speed.
A Libertarian, who is just Republican enough to be a party member (wink wink, Rand Paul and Gary Johnson) will have the opportunity of a lifetime (perhaps a generation) to challenge President Trump for the Republican nomination for President in 2020.
Such a challenge would give the media hourly orgasms for 24 months and would solve the exposure issue every Libertarian has faced since time began. Such a challenge would present both Republicans and Democrats the opportunity to stand on the steps of the Capitol and bloviate about how they would LOVE to work with a less boisterous, stubborn, and unpopular figure such as the sitting President.
Think about it for a moment…it’s not too far out there to consider. 2016 was a great opportunity for Libertarians as two of the most unpopular Americans were put forth to lead their respective parties and as such, Libertarians were able to move the ball forward.
I still believe there is a significant chance Trump will not seek re-election, citing the toxicity of Washington and the fact that he lacks any real power to enact the change he wants, unlike that of a CEO / sole proprietor. Regardless of his choice, Libertarians have a bigger opportunity before them here than in 2016. And this time, the media would be on their side.
houckOUT 