Trump and the Pop Fly
6/26/2023
It was Johnny’s last home game of his senior year. He was excited to take the field one last time. He was about to step up to the plate for his first at bat; he really wanted to make his last game count. The first pitch came… fastball; right down the middle; homer material. He swung hard and the ball lept off the bat… straight up into the air. Fly ball center field. His next two at bats were the same; fly balls for an easy out.
The score was now tied and it was the last inning, no outs. His friend Sammy was before him in the lineup. Sammy cracked one deep into right field. The monster hit along with his great speed landed Sammy at third base. Johnny, was admitedly a bit jealous, but was happy that he was being teed up to drive in the winning run. Here came the pitch, Johnny popped it up into center field again, only this time, Sammy was able to bring home the winning run after the ball was caught.
What is the significance of this story? Johnny spent the whole game frustrated at his batting performance for his last game. Yet, at the right part of the game, it was just what the team needed, and it set up his team for victory. This little analogy is how I am thinking about the Republican party and voting evangelicals with this upcoming election. Trump, in this story, is Johnny; he may not be perfect, in fact, some evangelicals may have hated his performance as president. What concervative evangelicals need to focus on is how Sammy is going to get home. How are conservatives going to win?
I am picturing DeSantis and other conservative members of our government as Sammy. He has done some great work down in Florida, and now he is set up for to do great things for the country. However, if he tries to steal home during Trump’s at bat, he could blow it all for everyone. To give credit where it is due, Trump has had some homeruns. His stacking of the Supreme Court led to some amazing outcomes for the country, like the overturnal of Roe Vs Wade. His stance on the vaccine however… big swing and a miss.
My point is, with all of Trump’s faults, evangelicals should not feel as thought they are violating their conscience if they vote him in. No he is not perfect, but he very well could be the next republican candidate. If his term is as successful as his first, he could be setting up all the Sammy’s of the Republican party for real success in the future. Evangelicals need to focus on what we need to win. If Trump is the answer, then we should not stand in the way. Our country cannot afford another four years of Biden (nor can my wallet). The fabric of our nation will dissipate if we do not win this coming election. A pop fly is not always ideal, in fact, they can be quite frustrating, but it may be all you need to win. In the meantime, beyond focusing on the 2024 race, conservatives need to get ready for 2028 as well, and make sure we have a runner on third ready to come home.