Web Publication: LA Times, by The Times Editorial Board
So close, but so far away
‘Today I Recommend’ in this instance does not mean: ‘today I agree’; but neither do I fully disagree. This week, I’ve been mulling over the evolution of the Trump administration and yes there is an evolution. If I could summarize those changes, it would be: Trump is turning away from his base toward the worst version of status-quo Republican ideology but is otherwise not learning anything. They are setting themselves up to deeply alienate both their friends, on top of their enemies.
Where I disagree with the LA Times piece is the instances where they expect that growth should be equivalent to capitulation to Democrat values. This is the perennial downfall of Democrats toward working across the isle to make the government work. Republicans of course have their correlating vices. While this article is the first of a four–piece series, I see no signaled evidence that they will concede any positive contributions by Trump (admittedly few), to the country’s betterment. Example A would be the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. If the LA Times cannot swallow their partisan ideology, of course knowing they disagree with Gorsuch, and admit that such a nomination is exemplary, and a rare bright spot for this administration, they risk discrediting everything else they put forth.
Where I agree with the LA Times is that this article, Part 1, well summarizes the broad areas where Trump and his administration could have grown, should have grown, but have not, except in minor details. While I think it is still too early to characterize these failures in absolutes, yes, what you see is probably what you’re going to get at this point. The one hundred day point will be here and gone soon. It’s time to start thinking about how we’re going to re-arrange the furniture in 2018.
Speaking in static absolutes will not position the Democrats to endear themselves to the divided electorate. This article is a still just a slightly more reasoned and well-presented version of the shrill tone that we’ve heard since November. That’s a shame because they’re on to something that we really shouldn’t wait until 2020 to address. Like in a marriage, speaking absolute propositions do not create a path forward. For a piece that’s obviously released with a lot of deliberation, even gravitas, it could rise to the occasion of being a document of statesmanship, not just another hack at Trump’s knees. If the Democrats want to lead the change, we need something more. Let’s see what’s in the next three statements.
