Justin Amash Comes To His Senses; No White House Bid

A year ago, I strongly considered casting my presidential ballot for Justin Amash.

A month ago, after Amash announced he was forming a presidential exploratory committee, I was far less enthusiastic about the idea.

Yesterday, Amash came to his senses and announced he was abandoning any White House aspirations for 2020.

Among other things, Amash cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor in his decision though only in regard to his electoral viability. Whatever his reasoning, his decision to bow out is the wise one.

While Amash was a profile in courage in bucking the GOP and calling for President Trump's impeachment after reading the Mueller Report, not every profile in courage should be President of the United States. Had there been no COVID-19 pandemic, I would likely have given Amash strong consideration. But as I argued a month ago, the response to COVID-19 requires a strong federal government and Amash's political philosophy is antithetical to that approach. Nor was I impressed when he encouraged the stay at home protesters in his native Michigan against Governor Whitmer.

However, I do think Amash can still effectively serve his congressional district if his constituents see fit to reject their Trumpist GOP candidate. However, should Amash not be re-elected as an independent I am sure he will find other ways to contribute to our public discourse.

Let me now address the elephant in the room or in this case the donkey. No one is entitled to be President, but Amash's presence in the race (particularly in Michigan) could have complicated Joe Biden's path to the White House. That complication is now gone although Jesse Ventura could throw a wrench into things should the Green Party see fit to nominate him as their standard bearer.

There are only two possible outcomes in the presidential election. We either keep President Trump or we take a chance on Biden - Amash or no Amash. COVID-19 is a matter of life and death. If we re-elect Trump we choose death. If we elect Biden we choose life. Which would you choose?