The Mohammad Ali of politics
By Tom Quiner
There’s this guy who is on television all the time.
He has a ‘uge ego.
He has a big mouth.
He denigrates his adversaries.
He’s rich.
He’s been married a bunch of times.
He’s cheated on his wives.
He is famous and well-known.
I’m describing two men, actually: Mohammad Ali and Donald Trump.
The legendary boxer died a couple of days ago while the legendary businessman is on the threshold of becoming the Republican nominee for president. The similarities in the ‘schtick’ of these two celebrities is somewhat striking.
When Cassius Clay burst on the world stage with his famous KO of the seemingly invincible Sonny Liston, he made sure the world knew a star was born. “I am the greatest” he roared in Trumpian fashion.
He backed up his braggadocio with one victory after another. He changed his religion and his name and became a draft dodger. I, like so many, didn’t like the guy.
Something happened. Slowly, but surely, the guy won me over. His remarkable bouts with Joe Frazier and his improbable victory over George Foreman had me cheering for him.
His obnoxiousness on camera was largely PR, obscuring a man who I came to believe had a good heart … which leads me to Donald Trump.
Donald Trump is the Mohammad Ali of politics. But there are some differences: Donald Trump hasn’t won me over. He’s a nasty piece of work. If he has a good heart, I haven’t seen it.
Will I end up voting for Donald Trump? I don’t know. A president who crows about how great he is could get old a lot quicker than a boxer who does it.
Mohammad Ali had a remarkable life. May he rest in peace.
Nice side by side comparison. Re; The Donald………..we can only hope………..and perhaps pray!?!?
Deacon, Tom, I agree … everything begins and ends with prayer.
A wonderful “side by side” of two men who had a similar “Schtick”. I heard Rush Limbaugh interpreting “The Donald” and, as I saw it, could do so with near perfect accuracy as Rush’s “Schtick” is so very similar to Trumps, at least IMHO……………….
Ali never won me over. I was in awe of him, with respect to his boxing skills. As veteran, I lump him with the rest of the cowards who chose to turn tail, instead of answering the call to serve. He was the greatest, but could have been revered much more, had he demonstrated a sense of loyalty to the country that embraced his uncanny abilities.
It’s a good point. It suggests another similarity with “The Donald.” Ali said he had no gripe with the Viet Cong … kind of like what Trump says about the folks in the Mideast. He wants them to fend for themselves, which certainly resonates with a lot of prospective voters. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint.