Will Trump Be Elected for a Third Time?

            Most people understood that he was going to do it because his hints were obvious. Tonight, he did it. Former-President Donald Trump announced tonight that he had signed the paperwork and was running for President of the United States. He made his announcement from his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.  “Together we will be taking on the most corrupt forces and entrenched interests imaginable. Our country is in a horrible state. We’re in grave trouble.” 

            The big question for now is, will other Republicans throw their hats into the presidential ring, or will they leave the field open to Trump? There are plenty of Republicans who might run. The first that comes to mind is Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida. Former-Vice President Mike Pence has also acted as though he were considering a run. Other who are reportedly considering a presidential run: former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Senator Time Scott of South Carolina. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. How many of them will decide not to run now that Trump has announced his run?

            A second question making the rounds is, who will Trump choose for his vice-presidential running mate?  We are safe in assuming that it will not be former Vice President Mike Pence, which makes me sad. Trump and Pence made a dynamic duo because their strengths and weaknesses off set each other. They were a powerful team, and I will miss their teamwork. Having a Trump-DeSantis team is probably not likely to happen because both of them live in Florida. (Former Vice President Dick Cheney moved from Texas to Wyoming to run on the same ticket as former President George W. Bush.)