A regular Wednesday feature that takes a summary look at hot news issues surrounding Trump during the past week
The Trump Scorecard 5/3/17
So much of the Trump news is not about Trump himself but about a great deal of commotion by others attributed to him somehow because of who he is. This is not really his problem at this point but yet he is associated with it. Hillary is back in the news commenting on why she lost the election, Comey was back on the Hill, the seething press was forced to hold a self-admiration dinner in his absence; all this on top of the perennial wailing and gnashing of teeth. We’re all going to die from climate change. There will be no more park land left after Trump gives them to Wall Street. Our children will grow up sweeping streets with no education. Grandma is having her Meals-on-Wheels stolen right off the cart. And of course, the entire Trump administration is Hitler and his SS masquerading as Americans. The left just keeps coming with the wild extrapolations. I, or anyone really can’t speak to that level of hysteria, certainly not as something that Trump can or should address. Meanwhile, much of Washington is operating business as usual – Democrats included.
Where Trump’s initiatives should succeed:
The Press | The White House Correspondents’ dinner went off with out Trump. I agree with his absence. Why should he sit there and take the barbs, overt and the passive aggressive ones. Respect is earned and I mean that of Trump warming to the press. Obviously, the office of the Presidency isn’t enough to compel a base line of respect the other way around and that’s actually the anomaly here. I predict the press will eventually grow into grudging respect in as much as Trump has grown into the office he holds. Don’t indulge them until they come around
FBI | The crazy show, Comey, is in town, grilled by the hill and rehashing the perennial investigation. This also falls under the heading of things that Trump should ignore.
North Korea | The drumbeat of war is louder. I am more convinced than ever that Trumps team has this. I believe most of what you see in the news is all for show. I would not be surprised to see an ‘internal coup’ in North Korea or some such in the coming months. Something is going on that we’re not seeing and its probably a good thing.
Where we should take a wait and see approach to Trump’s initiatives before we get the pitchforks:
Healthcare | I’m almost inclined to throw this in the fail bin. I have no idea what is being rushed through and whatever it is keeps changing practically by the hour away from our eyes. I don’t think this rush to fix is going to end well, but there is some glimmer of hope
Meeting with dictators | Trump is/was willing to meet with Philippine somewhat dictator like Duterte and even North Korea’s Kim. Meeting with marginal characters is one thing, dealing with despots is another. It’s now being called the Trump Doctrine. These meetings are not likely to take place but for me, the jury is out on this. What tack are you going to take these guys?
Budget | Last week, I suggested farming out an opinion of the budget to something like the Cato Institute. They seem to like it. I’m cautiously optimistic.
Where Trump’s initiatives should be reversed:
Net Neutrality | This issue is now front and center again. I don’t believe the Comcasts of the world can police themselves. I believe this is a rare instance where government can and should play a role.
Commentary by Lee Jones