Posted on 02/24/2017 5:07:38 AM PST by Kaslin
Substance and style -- it's easy to get them confused or mistake one for the other. And they're never entirely unconnected, though exactly how much so is a matter of debate.
That's especially true when it comes to evaluating Donald Trump's performance -- a word particularly ambiguous in his case, as referring to either oratorical style or policy substance.
The new president's detractors see a would-be autocrat threatening freedom of the press ("dishonest media") and the independence of the judiciary ("so-called judge"). They see a barefaced liar or fantasist who maintains that his 306 electoral votes (two of which were cast for others) were more than George H.W. Bush's 426 in 1988, Bill Clinton's 379 in 1996 and Barack Obama's 365 in 2008.
But the detractors' case can be overstated -- and often has been in the press, much of which seems bent on validating Trump's news conference statement that "the press has become so dishonest." They pooh-poohed his misleading reference to immigrant violence in Sweden, only to learn, from rioting just a few nights later, that it's a real thing.
The press expects that Trump's denunciation of leaks is the preliminary to a government crackdown on free speech. But so far, there has been nothing like the Obama administration's subpoena of New York Times reporter James Risen, its naming Fox News' James Rosen as an unindicted co-conspirator in another case and its prosecution of more leakers under the Espionage Act of 1917 than all previous administrations combined.
In substance, Trump's administration has accomplished quite a lot in five weeks. It overturned a passel of Obama administration executive orders issued on the falsifiable and now falsified assumption that Democrats would hold the White House indefinitely.
The Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines are now headed for approval, and the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan and Waters of the United States mega-regulations are on the way out. Federal hiring is frozen, and two old regulations must be rescinded for each new one issued. The result has been some major changes in policy, as promised during the campaign -- the way the political process is supposed to work.
The executive order blocking travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries has been blocked by a federal appeals court decision -- labeled "totally unconvincing" by former New York top court judge and Trump critic Robert Smith -- which the administration has meekly obeyed. A rewrite is being prepared.
Meanwhile, this week's executive order enforcing existing immigration laws that the Obama administration refused to enforce ("prosecutorial discretion") seems likely to deter future illegal entries. And it may well incentivize people who are already here illegally to, in Mitt Romney's phrase, "self-deport" as state legislation in Arizona has done over the past decade.
Trump critics have pointed out, accurately, that immigration from south of the border has slowed since the 2008 financial collapse. The Trump enforcement strategy seems likely to slow it further, in a way that could falsify predictions of a majority-minority population by 2040 or so.
That's consequential, whether you think it's a good thing or not. And it's probably what Trump voters hoped their candidate would accomplish.
Consider also the Trump record on appointments. The press is full of articles about the number of important positions still unfilled. True enough -- and true also of the early Obama, Bush and Clinton administrations. It's an inevitable result of the detailed disclosure requirements and Senate confirmation process required by statute.
And there have been headlines after the firing, only 24 days into the job, of national security adviser Michael Flynn.
But some of Trump's appointments have been clearly first-rate. Defense Secretary James Mattis and new national security adviser H.R. McMaster not only bring records of impressive accomplishments as military leaders and thinkers but also have shown a steady willingness to speak truth to power.
Then there's Judge Neil Gorsuch, who appears certain to be confirmed for the Supreme Court. In his engagingly written opinions as an appeals court judge, he has shown an openness to arguments from all ideological sides and to qualms about an ever-expanding administrative state.
These are not the kind of people you appoint to the highest positions if you aspire to impose authoritarian rule over a free people.
Nor are they people you'd appoint if you want to abjure alliance commitments or kick sand in the faces of allies. Trump has had amicable and constructive meetings with the elected leaders of Britain, Japan and Canada and has argued with Mexico's leader not to argue in public about the wall.
So whatever you think of the style, you have to admit there's significant substance there.
Wasn’t Barone a NeverTrumper?
You know what’s grating? The GOP’s fetal ball every time a newspaper or a Democrat (possibly redundant) aims mild criticism at them. McCain, Romney, Ryan, Boehner, McConnell, Graham et al.
We’ve watched them take the coward’s way out for decades.
If so, then his conclusions here are wrong.
When Trump says anything that will make the dems or libs outraged (basically when he opens his mouth) I love it, and if it's "grating", well that's just a bonus!
I discovered that on my first trip to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. People were much more curt and sharp, and didn’t interact with the warmth I’ve experienced from the southern part of the United States.
It’s almost as if they don’t know you personally, they default to a standoffish or suspicious demeanor.
You said it.
Ya want STYLE?
....................check out the stupid catwalk.
while I wouldn’t characterize Trump’s first 30 days as particularly chaotic, my favorite retort to those critical has been:
“I’d rather take a roller coaster in the right direction, than a smooth highway going the wrong way”
That grating style is 100% correct. But after you get past it some of those easterners make great friends, coworkers, and sometimes, relatives. I have earned that it is tough on those easterners to work elsewhere because no one else “gets” their style. I put Trump squarely in that category. He is great person masked by his grating easterner style.
Coming from ZERO substance, grating STYLE Number Reader Baloney is that a compliment?
That’s typical lib infested New England. The libs there think they are a cut above the rest.
What you said!
I will never understand why some Freepers seem to get angry when a former lukewarm supporter, or even opponent, comes around to our side.
I think some folks around here would rather nurse their grudges than fix the country.
“If so, then his conclusions here are wrong.”
What kind of nonsense was that? Most people are mistaken about things quite frequently but it does not follow that they are wrong about everything. Evaluate what he said. Is there something you disagree with? If so please share it with the rest of us along with maybe a little explanation of why you disagree.
Never Trumpers suck.
That is typical easterner behavior which is independent of their politics. That Easterner attitude and behavior is not indicative of their politics. Barone’s point is that his substance (mostly solid conservative) is being confused with his style (easterner).
IMO, President Trump’s style is REFRESHING.
As in: it’s refreshing to watch an elected official not go back on campaign promises the first day ...week...or month in office.
It’s very early in his first term but I think he might end up being the most transparent and faithful to his oath in a very long time.
MAGA!!!
And that’s very refreshing.
I didn’t know you controlled the conversation here. Did Jim give you permission to tell people to get off a thread?
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