The political world was rocked by the news that the President and First Lady tested positive for Covid-19 late Thursday night. The President had strived to change the subject of the campaign from the virus to other issues and during the Tuesday night debate even ridiculed former Vice President Biden for what he deemed excessive wearing of a mask. The President tried to have a de-facto end of the virus with large rallies where there was no social distancing and little mask wearing. This strategy has now been turned on its head.

Friday morning I was interviewed on the CNBC show Squawk Box and when asked about the impact of the COVID diagnosis for the President, my view was that it hurts the Trump campaign as no one is as good a campaigner for Trump as Trump. Taking the best player off the field in the final minutes of the game can't be a good strategy.

The White House has reported that the President has "mild symptoms" but that can't be good for a person who is overweight and 74 years old. The President's health won't be an issue but the implicit statement it makes on the seriousness of the virus will be hard to escape.

On the policy front, the government dodged a bullet when, at the last minute, the Senate passed and the President signed legislation keeping the governmen...

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