Possessing the Bully Pulpit has always meant that the President of the Unitied States could use the power of his office to speak to the American people.
The Bully Pulpit has now been replaced by Twitter.
To a certain degree I do understand the reason this has happened. When the media refuses to report in a steady factual manner and instead have gone far beyond into a role of detractors, opponents and outright adversaries. His recourse has been going on Twitter to reach the public directly. Okay on its face, but I am beginning to wonder if he has gone way to far.
Every morning there is a missive from POTUS about whatever is frosting his onions. No one is immune from his ridicule, personal affronts and downright belligerence.
As a supporter with some reservations I have always given POTUS the benefit of the doubt. Many times I have cringed at his outbursts and then he does something that once again gains my support.
I imagine that in building a multi-billion dollar company he was used to “Because I said so” management style. After two years in office that petard has ceased to work in the political arena. Yes he did win the office but now that he is in it the country needs him to guide it, not beat it up to get his agenda done.
He surely is a conundrum, wrapped in a riddle inside a puzzle.
I love what he stands for…. America first and foremost, our military and law enforcement, sovereignty and economic growth….. but I hate how he sometimes allows the opposition to play him. By his own description he is a counter puncher. You swing and he swings back harder. That is fine in the corporate game of power and money but not so much in the Oval Office. As much as his advocates defend and explain his comments over an over he has had real wins that he then dampened with a twit or statement in retaliation to some completely disconnected issue that allows the media to bury the accomplishment.
Once Presidencies reach the two year mark the focus becomes the reelection campaign and it is natural that top level assignments and those who hold them change. However, one has to wonder if there is more afoot with the profound exit of so many really important and effective executives and cabinet members. All of these highly talented individuals got those positions because they were the best and ascribed to what the President wanted to get accomplished. Their exits if not political are troubling. Their exit points to policy differences. They have not be able to convey, convince and implement their ideas and suggestions which leads to frustration and ultimately disagreement with their boss. At that level those disagreements create the cause for exit. The real question is what is prompting the exodus.
Politics is a dirty, hardball business for sure. Fighting every fight in public is counter productive. Calling each other derogatory names, making outrageous claims and accusations paint people into corners. Once cornered there is only one thing to do – come out fighting no matter what corner you are in. Not a great place to negotiate.
The coin of the realm in Washington is power. The coin of the realm at the Trump Organization was money. The way of the deal is diametrically opposed in those two worlds. I do believe that there in lies the conflict; beyond the fact that winning the election was a complete shock to the opposition. Wielding power in DC is very different then The Art of Deal in New York. It is about votes, elections and reelections. Trying to go so dramatically counter to an opponent’s base will not fly. There has to be, at the end of the day, the ability to go home and explain any comprises that were made and why they were good for the country. Blind opposition will never allow movement on the many serious issues that abound.
POTUS is POTUS and we only have one at a time. Therefore I respect the office above all. Having a President that answers to the people is the foundation of our democracy.
A new election is two years away and in the words of the President “We’ll see what happens.”