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 Federal hiring is frozen, and two old regulations must be rescinded for each new one issued.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.
It was just a gentle dig at people of our political persuasion who seem to think that because somebody once did not toe the line of orthodoxy his opinions are forever rendered invalid.
Oh geeez!! My apologies, seriously. Is FR regaining its sense of humor? Thank you. Again, so sorry.
No problem. In fact, I half suspect that the poster I originally responded to was commenting sarcastically.
Excellent point.
“As in: it’s refreshing to watch an elected official not go back on campaign promises the first day ...week...or month in office.”
I don’t like all the discussion about what he’s done in the first month, or not done. Good lord, it took Obama a long time to create the mess Trump inherited. I don’t care if it takes him a year to get new healthcare, tax reform, immigration, the wall, etc. Take your time and get it right! Stop all the hysterical rushing.
Thank you. I appreciate that. No my question is will the poster still support President Trump 2, 3 years from now, or perhaps even one year from now. I have seen so many in here that turned their support off after a few years.
Remember when that arrogant pos former occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave claimed to have the most transparent administration ever? It was anything but transparent, unless you saw right through his lies.
Barone has returened to his senses.
This fellow is a little older than I am. He has the chops, that is for sure. The way that George Will would like to have something other than a “rep” Michael has the true solid background of his Almanac and the US News and World days to give him heft.
It is a really good thing to see him saying “wait a minute, this guy is solid” to all the old conservative clan in media and DC.
Trump speaking soon at CPAC, here’s a live thread:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?424395-1/president-trump-delivers-remarks-cpac&live
Trump speaking soon at CPAC, here’s a live thread:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?424395-1/president-trump-delivers-remarks-cpac&live
Okay, I have an analogy.
My sister-in-law needed a “career” change from a home improvement store “associate” to something different. At one time in her storied life she was self employed as a successful arborist. But that was 20 years back.
So, she is networking at her associates job, and runs across a VERY successful real estate developer who has a country home and needs a project manager for the household and the estate. There are some workers there who maintain the outside, and the inside, and what he was looking for was a project manager or supervisor for the overall upkeep. There was a house for the supervisor to occupy on the property available all expenses paid etc... so my sister-in-law decides to look it over, make demands, check out the overall situation. And ultimately turn down a very lucrative and comfortable offer. Why? I asked “Why?”
Well, after a litany of excuses it all came down to ... because this developer demanded loyalty (and actually got it from all of his employees), was “too demanding” according to my sister-in-law and other drivel that she managed to spew before I walked away shaking my head and thinking that what she needed and was well within grasp, she refused to accept/turned down because she has never worked for someone who demanded loyalty, and total commitment.
I told her later that people who are very successful are usually demanding and demand that their employees do the work necessary to ensure success. It’s what successful people do. Trump is no exception.
Did my sister-in-law except my summary? No, she wanted to hear (ala Bill Cosby) “her opinion in a deeper voice” - and this led up to - about the time I told her “if you don’t want to hear my opinion, or my perception... don’t ask the “effen” question”
She’s not alone. There are millions of people who actually think that they are the exception to this dynamic in successful people’s expectations, rather than the rule. And those idiots have relegated themselves to a lifetime of total dissatisfaction with their present situation and their future situation as well.
Trump is probably grating... but it is nothing personal, it’s business. Trump, I gather, is all about business.
Refreshingly so.
Some of these GOPe/Never Trumper media types are realizing it is going to be a long four years without a refuge in either the administration or the Democrat opposition.
Slowly the better of them are coming around. This “he’s not Hitler” column from Barone is a start for him.
Just trying to recall his perspective pre-election. Sorry if all here at FR don’t achieve your stringent posting requirements.
I don't think their afraid of being left out. I think they're just being adult and honest.
just asking a question at 8am, not angry...
Were you a Never Trumper?
I didn’t like the label Never Trumper, but I didn’t vote for Trump. I didn’t vote for Hillary or anyone else either. I thought we were screwed no matter who won.
However, I am now relieved that Trump won. His appointments have been outstanding. I also like his EOs and his overall policy so far.
I may end up eating a lot of crow, but if I do I’ll be enjoying it.
Welcome aboard!
We here I think are now all rooting for him to do really well.
WE will allow you to remove the feathers from that crow!!! ENJOY!!! I was with Trump from the beginning HOWEVER even I am VERY SURPRISED at how conservative he has turned out to be!! I knew by the way his kids were raised he wasn’t a TOTAL LIB in anyway, but he has TRULY gone above my expectations!!!! I couldn’t be happier AND he is a FIGHTER!!!
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