A summary look at hot news issues surrounding Trump during the past week.
Most of this week’s post will not be directly about Trump. In fact, I’ll limit my comments to one issue, his ability to influence congress, particularly as it applies to the failed Obama-care repeal. Personally, I was more a fan of Rand Paul’s ideas.
Where Trump’s initiatives should succeed:
None this week
Where we should take a wait and see approach to Trump’s initiatives before we get the pitchforks:
The long knives are out, poised to fully cripple the remainder of the Trump presidency. The blood in the water means the opposition can go in and finish the kill. The ‘great negotiator’ has been unmasked as a hands-off ineffectual blow-hard. I wouldn’t write Trump off so quickly. The failed Affordable Heath Care revision falls primarily upon Ryan’s congress and Trump is his own collateral damage-in-chief. It’s his defeat because he hitched his wagon to a losing proposition. Depending on your view, it’s a great defeat or it’s a great victory. If Trump has the ability to internalize his mistakes and evolve, you will see him stronger for all the wear, but who’s side will he be on? Like Obama, his ultimate instinct is to win the fight, not to create the best government. If you can’t push your people to win a legislative fight, the next best thing is to alter your bill toward whatever collection of allies will win. At the end of the day, I don’t believe Trump has all that many core values that he wants to defend. Sure a few, but not many. Look for strange bed-fellows. I give Trump points for trying to work with each Republican faction. I don’t think this means the end of his Presidency but he has a lot of damage to mend.
Where Trump’s initiatives should fail:
None this week
The other players this week
Ryan | Ryan’s Congress bit off more than it could chew and Ryan oversold himself on his own authority. Next time, pay attention to the merits of a bill and take the time to sell it based on the merits if it has any. We don’t particularly care about your ‘win’ or your ‘loss’ for that matter; speaking of which, you can be replaced. Perhaps Ryan will have his own evolutionary epiphany.
Bannon | One story reports that Bannon tried to force his plan on key Republicans. In prior reports dating back to the election, I gave Bannon the benefit of a doubt based on some abilities he showed during the campaign. I’m having trouble understanding how he has any redeeming qualities left for this administration. He’s developed a track-record for over playing his hand, tinged with belligerence. From interviews, it seems his belief system, is more aligned with the Christian crusades of twelfth century, not so much to to 21st century America. So I ask, ‘Why’? I’m not sure what he brings to the table except major fumbles.
The Democrats | If the Democrats are enjoying a day in the sun, just remember that they unified to keep a broken system in place. Lest anyone forgot, Obama-care was going broke in a number of states. Their interest is primarily Trump’s failure, not improving your life (unless you are a special interest). My hope is that we’ll see a day when we can have major reform to health care that has some level of bi-partisan agreement. Quaint idea, eh?
Commentary by Lee Jones
PS: I also recommend Peggy Noonan’s piece, which has valuable perspective from the healthcare consumer