By DAN SULLIVAN
For many of us who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, there was no more compelling figure than Muhammad Ali. Arguably the greatest boxer of all time, his persona was bold, larger than life. He did things different. He called his opponents names: Sonny Liston was The Big Ugly Bear. Joe Frazier was The Gorilla. George Foreman was The Mummy. He confidently predicted his rounds of victory.
He delighted the media with his poetry and with his quick wit and sense of humor, unless of course they were the objects of his sarcasm and out right scorn. He took on the U.S. government, defying the draft during the Vietnam war on religious grounds, and he prevailed. He became a Muslim, which was controversial at the time.
As a boxer, he accomplished everything his sport had to offer, becoming the world champion on three occasions and accumulating wealth and popularity beyond any childhood dreams. Alas, he did the one thing that boxers should never do, but too often do anyway. He kept fighting when it was no longer possible for him to prevail. I’ll never forget cringing with every blow laid upon him by the then-champion Larry Holmes, a fight that should never have been allowed. Hubris led a lesser Muhammad Ali to believe that he was still the greatest. All good things come to an end.
I am hoping that this will not be the story of Donald J. Trump.
The parallels with Ali are all too similar. The 45th president is also a fighter. He can counterpunch in the political ring with the best as evidenced by his disdain and public rebuke of a hypocritical and biased press. Despite the mainstream media and a deep state government working against him, Donald Trump had four successful years as President, leaving a strong economy, a far more secure border, a stable international geopolitical scene, and a renewed belief in the greatness of America.
This last mid-term election has seen the rise of several legitimate challengers to the aging former President. Governor Ron DeSantis has certainly proven himself a strong leader who is well liked among Florida’s diverse population. Others like Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo all seem to have the right stuff.
I can’t imagine the name calling schtick that took down “low energy Jeb” and “little Marco” resonating against the likes of Ron DeSantis. Trump’s initial foray into that arena fell as flat as George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle.” Ron DeSanctimonious? Really?
Donald Trump will be making an announcement in a few days. Many believe he will be announcing his bid for a third try at the Presidency. With all due respect, I hope not. I voted for him in 2016 and along with millions of Americans marveled at what he was able to accomplish during his one term. I admired how he took the jabs, the left hooks, the right crosses thrown at him every day by powerful institutions, yet still managed to successfully promote the America First agenda.
But the nation has moved on. The same conservative message delivered by new charismatic Republican leaders is the way forward. If President Trump enters the political ring again, it will prove to be one fight too many and it will cost us the White House.
Dan Sullivan was mayor of Anchorage for two terms.
