(Editor’s note: After we wrote this article, but before publishing, we noticed a National Review article which, ironically, had nearly an identical headline. It was a fine article that was similar to the one below. Both, however, were written independently and without knowledge of the other. We guess that great minds truly do think alike.)
President Donald Trump has laid out a career that has often frustrated many who would like to support him because of a general appreciation of his policy positions.
Trump’s erratic style gives us the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. One minute, he institutes a directive that makes Americans rejoice, but, soon thereafter, follows with a boneheaded comment or decision that deflects from his otherwise positive policy.
Trump entered his second term on a first-ever honeymoon, raising his favorable level beyond 50% for the first time ever (actually reaching as high as 55%). That goodwill could be catapulted even further into the sixties if he’d just refrain from the red meat he thinks he has to constantly throw to his MAGA worshippers who are already on board.
If Good Trump can ever get control over Bad Trump, he could be a very consequential president. Thus far, he hasn’t been able to show restraint on a consistent basis during his political career. Just look at how he has squandered much goodwill already in this new term by taking sound policy a step too far and giving his enemies the rope to help tie him up. Here are a few examples:
GOOD TRUMP: Trump reverses Biden’s horrific open border policy and begins deporting criminal illegal aliens.
BAD TRUMP: Trump foolishly, and unnecessarily, states that raids on schools, churches and hospitals are on the table.
GOOD TRUMP: Trump astutely notes how an acquisition of Greenland can bolster national security and hints at negotiations to see if a purchase would be possible.
BAD TRUMP: Trump blows the goodwill attached to courting Greenland and its mother country, Denmark, by acting like the Ugly American in refusing to rule out the use of force to take control of the island.
GOOD TRUMP: Trump rightly takes a closer look at the January 6th prosecutions to see if nonviolent grandmas wandering in the Capitol after being waved in by some officers were overcharged with felonies, landing them with multi-year sentences.
BAD TRUMP: Trump ignores the advice of his vice president and attorney general nominee by pardoning even those who violently assaulted Capitol police officers.
GOOD TRUMP: Trump commits to ending Lawfare, in which the “deep state” abuses its authority to hunt down and punish its political and ideological enemies. He expresses interest in investigating the Justice Department’s heavy-handed attacks on pro-lifers, Catholics attending Latin Mass, and parents opposing radical indoctrination in our schools.
BAD TRUMP: Trump takes out his vengeance on perceived disloyal former aides Mike Pompeo and John Bolton by eliminating their security details protecting them from Iranian assassination.
GOOD TRUMP: Trump signs an executive order once and for all terminating the poisonous Diversity Equity and Inclusion propaganda that was foisted upon federal agencies, including the military.
BAD TRUMP: But then Trump goes a step too far in eliminating Lyndon Johnson’s executive order that sought to address racial disparities in government operations.
GOOD TRUMP: He exposed the vast biases in the legacy media, showing that most are just propaganda arms of the Democratic Party.
BAD TRUMP: Then he goes way too far in threatening to rescind the licenses of broadcast news outlets that exhibited these biases.
It’s a long four years ahead. If Trump can finally control his overly combative instincts, he will not only change America’s trajectory for the better, but will also be able to attain the praise of many who would never have considered labeling him a good president.
Four years of Biden/Harris left a majority of Americans longing for change. They want Trump to succeed. Good Trump should do everything possible to bring them on board.