We should give Donald Trump a chance. In a Facebook post today, someone quoted some things Ron Reagan (son of Ronald Reagan) said on the show Hardball, I think from August.
A conservative commentator exulting about the election, predicted the president-elect will rise to Reagan’s level. Ron replied, essentially comparing Reagan in office to Trump talking even before the election, about groping women.
That’s an inaccurate comparison. Let’s give Trump a chance.
That’s not a fair comparison. When he made the groping comments, Trump was being appropriate to shock radio. It wasn’t pretty and I don’t approve. But it says nothing about his performance in business much less how he’ll be as POTUS. The commentator didn’t say that before the election, they were similar. He predicted Trump would “rise to Reagan’s level.” That means he accepts the level Trump’s starting at, and that it’s lower than Reagan’s.
Even aside from the worst things in Trump’s background, what he said at his rallies was very down-to-Earth. His strategy was NOT to inspire a nation or even to champion conservative values. His strategy was to accept and acknowledge people’s anger. His strategy was to firmly lead the low-brow electorate. That was very different and much “lower” than Reagan’s strategy.
Let’s follow Michelle Obama
During the debates, Trump tried to avoid the subject of groping. He never brought that conversation to the campaign. He was honest with people about how he felt about protesters at his rallies. He was honest about his thoughts of roughing them up. But there was very little actual violence. And during the debates he seemed relatively respectful of Hillary. He was not playing it safe my any means. But he was trying.
So let’s all try. If Michelle Obama were to speak to us today, I think she’d add to her previous advise. Maybe she’d say, “Whether or not they go low, we should go high.” If there’s something criminal about his past behavior, I trust the courts will look into it. But we all should move forward. Give him a clean slate. Allow him to rise to great levels.
My worries
My own worry is that he has promised changes, yet he seems to be inviting a lot of politicians who have been for a long time, deeply invested in traditional, corrupt and partisan politics. Some of these people, like Gingrich, were chief engineers of the last 8 years of Republican belligerence and disrespect for Presidents Clinton and Obama.
If America is going to work together to make some much-needed changes, it’s not going to look like either party winning. For the first time in decades, it would look like people working together. What I’d really like to see is a cabinet of great people rather than partisan cronies.
Even better, a commitment to America
Republicans seem to completely ignore what Americans want. Democrats are not quite as bad, but similar. What I’d really like to see is your and my voices heard.
Meanwhile, let’s give Trump a chance to do well. Sure, cause a ruckus if he doesn’t object to bad policies. And feel free to advocate loudly for good policies. But let’s keep the keep the dialogue to substantive issues.
America most change the way it chooses candidates.
End of ellectoral college. Please American people, change this kind of way to ellect
That’s a good idea, but I believe it’s not crucial. The problems are much deeper.