By popular demand (well, OK, one churlish early-morning reader), a post on Donald Trump’s speech to Congress last night.
I’m not surprised polling indicates a strong positive reaction. He stuck to the script. He spoke in broad generalities. He avoided his normal self-absorption.
He is going to fix crime, immigration, joblessness, education, health and, since I turned it off at times and don’t know all that I missed, he might even have answers for limp french fries and Razorback football.
People like hearing all these glorious promises. But: Will his plan for Obamacare replacement really provide more health coverage for more people at lower cost? Please.
The New York Times called it political “comfort food,” Reaganesque even in its optimism.
Does anyone really believe Trump can stay true to the message that the time for “trivial fights” is over? Will he swear off Twitter and “Saturday Night Live” commentary, for example?
Talk, as always, is easy, particularly in generalities. Implementation, governance, details —these are harder. Much lies ahead. But he helped himself last night.
PS: Yes, he cited some fake stuff, such as referring to a “mess” he inherited. In actuality there are a raft of improving economic indicators.
Also, most missed an egregious piece of PR, using the widow of a killed Navy SEAL for emotional support. This is the SEAL killed in an operation he apparently approved with little thought over dinner, misrepresented its value, and then blamed the death on everyone but the White House.
Commentators on my end of the spectrum are complaining loudly of the points he’s scoring for tone rather than substance or honesty. Welcome to a replay of election 2016. More of same. The opposition is going to have to find a better way to deal with it than they have to date.