Halftime at the 2018 Mid-Terms
Columbus Day 2018 is halftime at the 2018 Mid-Term Bowl. The score is GOP 17 and Democrats 16. Let’s recap the first half.
Going into the game the Democrats were riding their #BlueWave of enthusiasm. They were so confident America was tired of all the lies and sordid behavior of Coach Trump that the Democrats could win the game easily. They laughed at their good fortune every time a GOP player would pledge to work closely with their coach; such easy pickings.
The Democrats started the game strongly. The Mueller investigation nailed Trump’s former offensive coordinator, Paul Manafort, with multiple convictions (albeit not related to Coach Trump) for the first touchdown. The further revelations of Stormy Daniels and the seeming strength of #MeToo garnered the Democrats a field goal and a 10–0 lead.
The GOP got a field goal by playing Brett Kavanaugh, another originalist judge nominated to serve on the Supreme Court, thus fulfilling a very important Trump promise for the second time — but he still had to be confirmed by the Senate.
After a couple of punts from each team the Democrats intercepted a poorly thrown pass by the GOP when they again denied the full amount of money to #BuildTheWall on the southern border. This unforced error by the GOP led to a Democrat field goal and a lead of 13–3.
On the next possession, Kavanaugh got hit in the back with a nasty play by the Democrat’s Diane Feinstein just as the GOP was driving for a score. Kavanaugh had to be helped to the sidelines. Even though head coach Trump did not go off on the media referees like he normally does, quarterback Mitch McConnell seethed. The Democrats got the ball back and, after two more accusations against Kavanaugh, scored their third field goal to lead 16–3.
It was getting late in the 2nd quarter and the GOP needed a score. On the next possession the GOP found itself in a third and long situation so Trump sent in US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. He delivered the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA), fulfilling another big Trump promise to replace NAFTA, for a touchdown cutting the Democrat’s lead to 16–10.
When the Democrats got the ball there were only 2 minutes left in the half. Even if they didn’t get a score they seemed confident they could go into halftime with a good lead and the very real possibility Kavanaugh was so wounded he would be out for the rest of the game.
On the Democrat’s next play, GOP defensive safety Lindsey Graham, who was still fuming from the deceitful hit that sidelined Kavanaugh, sped up the middle on a safety blitz and tackled Corey “Spartacus” Booker in the backfield ripping the ball away from him in the process. The fumble was recovered by Chuck Grassley.
To most everyone’s shock, Kavanaugh came off the sidelines and ran the ball to the 2-yard line with an impassioned display of grit and determination. However, the GOP seemingly lost their newly found momentum when Jeff Flake got called for delay of game.
This penalty turned into a surprising benefit when Susan Collins, who had also been hit hard by the Democrats after the Kavanaugh incident, came in and opened a gaping hole in the Democrat’s goal line defense allowing the judge to waltz into the end zone. With the extra point, the GOP finished the first half with a one-point lead and, most importantly, super high momentum.
As the teams left the field to go to their respective locker rooms for half time, the Democrats looked demoralized. Not only was their initial confidence and enthusiasm gone but their walk looked tired and dejected. It seems the Democrats have played all their stars and do not have much in reserve for the rest of the game.
The GOP, by contrast, sprinted to their locker room. With the GOP getting the ball first in the second half, the outlook is bright for team #RedWave. Coach Trump’s squad is ahead and he has not used half of his stars. The FISA Documents Declassification only played one play in the first half while North Korean Summit and the GDP Report look like they are being held until just before the end of the game.
The wild cards for the GOP are their special team players: Kanye West, @RealCandaceO, #WalkAway and Trump Rallies. Their play has been steady but one gets the feeling they will bust loose in the second half.
Those few who predicted a GOP blowout in the 2018 Mid-Term Bowl seem to be sitting in a great position.
