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The Screaming Moderate

Of all the promises to keep..

12/8/2017

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President Trump thus far has fallen short on many of his promises that involve others (Congress) to carry out. He has, though, had his Cabinet busy changing regulations and this week announced what he can unilaterally do – move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

That’s the one promise you keep? The one that separates us from most allies, all of the Arab world and led immediately to violence in the Middle East? That’s the one? The one that threatens even the possibility of Middle East peace?

And, you gave it away getting nothing in return. Maybe you could have asked Bibi to stop the settlements … or something... in return for this giveaway? Mr. Negotiator. By the way, when do we get to experience this talent you bragged about, being the best negotiator in the world? I’ve seen no example of it in your first year. None.

I’m reading a book about the Bush presidencies. The book quotes a letter Bush 41 wrote to his sons when Bush was chairman of the Republican National Committee and Richard Nixon was days from resigning. It said in part:

“In judging your President, give him credit for enormous achievements. . . but understand too that the power accompanied by arrogance is very dangerous. It’s particularly dangerous when men with no real experience have it—for they can abuse our great institutions…Don’t assign away your judgment to achieve power.”

Prescient. And the words of a leader.

Trump made hundreds of promises on his campaign (not counting the things he told us to “believe me” on). Of all of them, the easiest to keep – as far as getting consensus – was the embassy decision. Because did not need any consensus.

He did ask his secretary of state and his secretary of defense what they thought and both opposed the move. He asked his son-in-law, a man with no diplomatic experience and who is in charge of, among other things, Middle East peace – who said in effect, “do it Dad.”

He did it.

I have no idea if Trump and/or his campaign “colluded” with the Russians on the election. My guess is not really but they sure gave the appearance of doing so.

Trump may not be guilty of conspiracy but he clearly is guilty of naiveté.

He has put Middle East peace, at best always a long shot, at risk and he is on the verge of helping elect a man to the U.S. Senate who is an alleged child molester, speaks enough Russian to use it in an interview to show his respect for Vladimir Putin (Google it. It’s on YouTube), waves a loaded gun around while speaking to supporters, says he is religious but touches 14-year-olds between their legs and pledges his undying affection to Donald Trump.

In the middle of a hugely changing climate in this society regarding treatment of women, Trump sits smugly knowing he has molested women, is on videotape bragging about it but denies it’s his voice on the tape.

We’re beyond Bizarro world here.

And, I remind you, it is the real world now.

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    B. Jay Cooper

    B. Jay is a former deputy White House press secretary to Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He also headed the communications offices at the Republican National Committee, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Yale University. He is a former reporter and is the retired deputy managing director of APCO Worldwide's Washington, D.C., office.
    He is the father of three daughters and grandfather of five boys and one girl. He lives in Marion, Mass.

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