Keeping Score

Keeping Score

Following his surprising victory, it was assumed that President-elect Trump would spend the transition period developing an agenda for the forthcoming administration.  However, between November and January, Team Trump remained in campaign mode and never transitioned to a governing mode.  That, singular action provided the first spark in what is now a growing inferno. Instantly, the press announced Team Trump did not follow protocol and do what most other candidates turned elected officials have done. Details began dripping out about a disinterested president-elect that did not want read his daily briefings, and that the material was simplified and filled with praise to hold the president-elect's attention. 

Subsequently, the press revealed that administration responses to questions about trade and treaties, health care reform, tax reform, educational reform, the Middle East and terrorism, and North Korea were sketchy at best.  Nominations were not made for cabinet positions and due to a flawed job freeze, numerous openings in branches of government were not filled. Policy and position papers on numerous topics never emerged.  In fact, to quell inquisitive minds, the administration often repeated what was stated during the campaign.

Team Trump's slow start was minimized and then attributed to inexperience.  In reality, the lack of legislative action was countered by executive orders, tweets, and rousing speeches.  While appeasing his base, these behaviors did little to calm his detractors. Yet, President Trump remained steadfast in calling for a wall and continued to demand that Mexico would pay for it. He followed up on other pledges including a “travel ban” that seemed targeted against Muslims and his call to repeal and replace Obamacare.

However, in the process of trying to fulfill these pledges, the president was not providing legislation or governance. A sense of chaos emerged as the White House became the side-show to real governance. Russia and Putin, Russian  involvement in the election, Russian hacking, and Russian collusion overtook whatever positive work the administration achieved. Sadly, as President Trump could not move his agenda forward, he also failed at public relations, the one area in which he previously excelled.

Initially, the Russian issue gave the Trump administration time to reset the agenda, ignore detractors and boldly transform Obamacare into Trumpcare. However, the failure to develop a strategic plan and to address the countless protesting crowds, illuminated the lack of forward thinking on healthcare and how to put the Russian threat to sleep.  To their horror, everything was turning into nightmares!

Now, more than six months into his presidency, the press and some members of Congress are turning on the president with a vengeance. Every comment and action receives an abundance of scrutiny and negative deeds are subject to public shaming. Presidential ambivalence is associated with the lack of an agenda and the naysayers are openly keeping score. Many believe it is only a matter of time before Team Trump provides the evidence for the president’s impeachment.

Why? The answer is simple. Almost everything the president has tweeted or uttered is being used against him. It is widely accepted that the president is a liar and a hypocrite. That evidence is provided by the press who have easily collected every comment provided by the First Family during the last decade and then matched it against a contemporary statement or action.

And the evidence to prove the president’s consistent failures are coming directly from members of his administration through daily leaks.  These leaks are expanding, despite their illegalities.  Why? This answer is also simple.  It appears that the leaks are a symptom of civic discontent. Members of the administration are aware of inconsistencies and are afraid of numerous repercussions for following the president's dictates.

Once again, largely due to the actions of the president, the administration is facing serious questions about its legitimacy. One can only hope that things get better sooner rather than later.  Team Trump still needs that reset, and it needs to be a major comeback.  The president cannot simply tweet some critical words, fire some associates, or create deflections if he wants to get out of his self-imposed mess. Time is running out. It is the fourth quarter and the other team has a shutout. The coach needs to rally the team to victory.  Because as we know in sports, when the press turns on the coach, the fans will quickly follow.  

Foremost, Team Trump needs to re-invent its relationship with the press. Only Fox News has the president's favor. He feeds them erroneous information and they feed it to the public.  If people only watch Fox, President Trump is okay, but unfortunately more Americans are starting to watch the other networks which are appearing to be more truthful. He can call them "fake news", but they can counter and show him to be a fake!  Never forget, the press and public work in tandem, and the public's sentiments eventually push the press into bringing to light what is mentioned in the dark.

Next Team Trump needs to re-develop its relationship with Congress. Since he is not truly a Republican, the president needs to cultivate a relationship with some Democrats. As a private citizen, Mr. Trump was able to get the ear of dozens of New York democrats. He needs to do that now by starting with New Yorkers and then moving to other members of the House and the Senate.

Finally, Team Trump needs some real policies. Not just slogans but detailed plans with clear outcomes. A real policy for peace in the Middle East, a roadmap for ending the longest wars in the nation's history, reasonable trade policies with our allies, and solid solutions for healthcare reform, tax reform, and infrastructure development.  President Trump must have negotiations with North Korea (involving China, Japan, and South Korea) to decrease the levels of hostility in that region.

Months ago, candidate Trump, told audiences that they would get tired of winning. In the eyes of the world and many in the United States, since January 20, 2017 America has been looking like a big loser.

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