I’m not typically a betting man. I’ve been known to freeze-up and miss a 12-inch putt when a quarter is on the line.
Several of my Texas Tech friends have been trying to engage in a friendly wager on the upcoming game between the Red Raiders and my beloved Horned Frogs. No doing — I’m not going to jinx that one.
But as I heard Trump lavishing praise on The Arnold, who was named Trump’s replacement on Celebrity Apprentice, I came to what I thought was a startling revelation. It was reinforced by a comment I heard on the radio Tuesday morning describing The Donald’s rally at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Monday.
I will bet a dollar to donuts with anyone that by the end of 2016, Trump Productions, LLC, announces the release of either a major blockbuster movie or a reality television series about The Donald’s campaign for the presidency.
In the 1972 movie The Candidate, Robert Redford played a California lawyer who was recruited to run for a senate seat no one thought he could win. The character he plays, Bill McKay, spent his time fighting for the little man, and his good deeds got him noticed by Democratic Party officials. He agreed to join the campaign, but only on his own terms.
His candid campaign and charisma bring him more success than anyone expected.
Turner Classic Movies says on its website that “McKay’s frankness, his personability, his lack of polish and pat doublespeak appeals to a public jaded by political glibness, and his engagement with such issues as poverty and unemployment and the environment and social equality excite young and progressive voters. As his numbers rise, however, the political machine tries to steer him away from inflammatory issues like abortion and bussing. Through the course of The Candidate we watch him evolve from an unpolished media rookie ... into a confident personality who has learned the fine art of talking around questions and deflecting issues with practiced humor.”
Taking party affiliation and the issues of the day out of the discussion, am I the only one who sees something of a parallel here?
Still not convinced? How about this line from the movie, “Seriously folks, you better watch your step when he comes out here because he’s a man who shoots from the hip and a man who’s hip when he shoots. Join me in welcoming Bill McKay!”
Whether the joke’s on us and we’re watching a rerun of a 43-year old-movie or Donald Trump can really win the Republican Party nomination remains to be seen. But I bet we’ll be seeing more of whatever it is, and Trump will be profiting from it, after the campaign ends.
**
What a great kickoff to the 2015 Scurry County United Way campaign. With more than a third of the campaign’s $120,000 already contributed or pledged, and Snyder Mayor Tony Wofford’s words of encouragement, this year’s volunteers are ready to reach out into the community and raise the remaining $90,000 or so that will be given to nine agencies doing some pretty special things here in Snyder and Scurry County.
When asked to be a part of this year’s campaign, I hope you will join many of us who support a great community effort.
**
Years ago there was a running joke about former Longhorn coaches taking up an entire hallway of the athletic complex after they were reassigned to new positions within the athletic department after being fired from their respective teams. Make room for a new office.
The University of Texas has “accepted” athletic director Steve Patterson’s “resignation” after less than two years on the job. The Longhorns apparently are on the hook to pay out the final four years of his $1.5 million a year contract.
Dear Bevo, I’d let you allow me to resign for just $500,000 a year.
No?
OK, you drive a hard bargain, I’ll resign for $250,000 a year. Heck, even if it is just a one-year deal, “sign me up.”
Bill Crist is the publisher of the Snyder Daily News. Comments about his column may be emailed to publisher@snyderdailynews.com.