Posted on 03/03/2017 7:19:01 AM PST by Kaslin
One after another, the pundits hailed President Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress as his finest speech, though the usual naysayers were quick to snarkily add that it was his only good speech. Yuk-yuk. Fox News Channel's Brit Hume, a serious analyst with, by his count, some 40 of these speeches under his belt, called Tuesday night's address one of the most riveting and unforgettable speeches he's ever heard. Hume said the general consensus was Trump "hit it out of the park."
We agree. We wish only that he'd given this speech in Cleveland when he accepted the Republican Party nomination, and that he'd made it his stump speech thereafter. We are absolutely convinced that had he done so, he would have demolished Hillary Clinton. What enraged his critics (and dismayed so many of his supporters) was the constant and boorish showmanship. Take that out of the equation, and millions would have come to his camp.
One will be hard-pressed to tell Trump that he doesn't know how to address an audience. He will remind you that he has the word "president" in front of his name, while 16 other Republicans and one prominent Democrat at best can be called "former presidential candidate." But there's a world of difference between rhetoric designed to fuel a political rally and rhetoric designed for a presidential address to the nation -- and to the world.
Suddenly, all the Trumpian silliness was gone. The theme was visionary; the tone was positive; and in the greatest change of direction, especially after eight long years of President Obama's narcissism, there was true humility. We heard him use the first person singular only once (at the Democratic National Convention, Obama referred to himself 119 times). Instead, it was America. It was "we." It was Reagan.
The speech was reminiscent of Jesse Jackson's 1984 Democratic National Convention speech. This was a man who rained left-wing hellfire on the world, angrily attacking everything in sight. Months before, he had called Jews "Hymies" living in "Hymie-town." At the convention, all eyes were on him, and he threw everyone an unexpected curveball.
He said: "If, in my low moments, in word, deed or attitude, through some error of temper, taste or tone, I have caused anyone discomfort, created pain or revived someone's fears, that was not my truest self. If there were occasions when my grape turned into a raisin and my joy bell lost its resonance, please forgive me. Charge it to my head and not to my heart. ... I am not a perfect servant. I am a public servant doing my best against the odds as I develop and serve. Be patient. God is not finished with me yet."
No, Trump didn't go there, nor did he need to. But his speech succeeded every bit as much as Jackson's, hailed as triumphant by friends and foes alike when he needed it most.
Trump's enemies will not congratulate him -- ever. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi sat on her hands, glowering all night. Many Democrats refused to shake his hand. And Hollywood? Kathy Griffin called him an "idiot." Charlie Sheen called him a "simpleton, Ho-ass piglet fraud." George Takei said, "Sorry, just had to get up to throw up." Radical leftie Twitterville was alive with the usual insults.
What did the public think? A CBS poll found that 76 percent of those who watched the speech approved. Even 40 percent of Democrats at least somewhat approved; eighteen percent strongly approved.
The speech redefined Trump. It underscored the radical ugliness of so many of his opponents. As Hume said, it was a home run.
Now, will he continue on this path, or go back?
And who will you be writing about 95% of the time, no matter what the president says or does, Bozell? Pres. Trump doesn’t need any advise from you or the other GOPe naysayers.
“Kathy Griffin called him an “idiot.” Charlie Sheen called him a “simpleton, Ho-ass piglet fraud.” George Takei said, “Sorry, just had to get up to throw up.”
The opinions of these three piles of excrement should mean anything to anybody at all?? That’s laughable.
This was not an advice you dolt.
It is indeed laughable
Nice backhanded complement from the establishment.
I was in Cleveland and his speech was perfect. I was at the inauguration in Washington and his speech was perfect. Do they really think a speech would have made the Democrats any more compliant? Give me a break. There is nothing Trump can do that they will like. Each speech he gives is perfect for that moment. I think he is incredible:
The amazing thing to me is, that he’s been saying all this the entire time. It’s the style points that had their collective panties in a twist, because the substance was unchanged.
Tired of these GOPe types saying Trump needs to do X, Trump needs to do Y.
He’s doing just fine. People like the author can go get stuffed.
Take that out of the equation, and millions of politics-hating, 2012 non-voters would have stayed home again.
Neocons seem to be breathing a massive sigh of relief that Trump hasn't really come to take away their birthdays after all. They might be a bit premature in that assessment. :)
I thought he was too beholden to the PrompTer. I like it better when he ad libs.
You are correct correct that President Trump is doing just fine.
Now quit your whining.
The style was different only in that it was far more hostile toward democrats. He forced them to act the part of un-Americans. He goaded them into hostility to patriotism. Genius.
Correct. Trump motivated his base to near apoplexy with his continuous jibing against liberals.
But it was a gentle, almost (dare I say) Reaganesque chiding. The hostility was only apparent to most afterwards. And they obliged so nicely by blatantly standing out, all decked out in white as they sat on their hands.
He was not chiding. He was emblazoning a vivid demarcation of patriotism and love of country the democrats could not cross. He demanded that the primary responsibility of elected officials is to “LOVE” the American people. This is too deep for progressive tyrants. By their actions the democrats proved they have no love for America.
You hit the nail on the head.
I’m surprised they didn’t feel the need to comment on his pants crease.
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