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Donald Trump is a dangerously weak leader
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TS
Jan 14, 2018, 12:19:34 AM1/14/18
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Donald Trump is a dangerously weak leader
Donald Trump is a dangerously weak president
...the passage of tax reform is best interpreted as yet more evidence of the
president’s weakness, rather than as a sudden demonstration of new stature.
Trump appears to have had little influence over the timing or substance of
the policies the House and Senate devised; in general, he seems content to
simply sign on to whatever agenda congressional Republican leaders set. Far
from unifying Republicans around a Trump agenda, he appears reduced to
cheerleading for a Republican one.
...What fraction of Trump’s agenda (distinct from the GOP agenda) has
Congress even considered? Not a border wall or other immigration
restrictions. Not major protectionist legislation. The president did submit a
budget for fiscal year 2018, which was declared dead on arrival by Democrats
and Republicans. It has been almost totally ignored by appropriators, just as
Trump’s suggested 2017 budget numbers were. One important bill that was
approved was a trade measure Trump opposed, reducing his discretion to adjust
sanctions against Russia. That one passed almost unanimously.
...The determination that Trump is a weak president, struggling to assert
power — and indeed on the brink of a failed presidency — ought to be cold
comfort to Democrats and liberals, because weak presidents can be dangerous
leaders. While more vulnerable to electoral defeat, they may also be tempted
to take risks — including foreign policy risks — to increase their stature.
And that could lead to disaster.
Trump’s embarrassing FISA tweets show that Republicans are simply ignoring
him.
This morning, shortly after Fox & Friends aired a segment urging him not to
reauthorize FISA’s warrentless wiretapping program, President Trump claimed
that the program was used to spy on him and his campaign.
According to Axios, GOP leaders were “horrified” by the tweet, in part
because the Trump administration had been urging congressional leaders to
reauthorize the program. In fact, the administration reaffirmed its support
for it in a statement last night.Less than two hours after sending the tweet,
Trump clumsily walked it back...
...But GOP leaders have simply gotten used to this dynamic. In another White
House, this lack of message discipline—the president contradicting a policy
priority being pushed by his own administration—would be huge news. A source
close to GOP leaders told Axios, “I have decided that the only way to stay
sane in Trump’s Washington is to ignore everything he says.” That’s what
Republican leaders are doing now.
Donald Trump is a dangerously weak president
...the passage of tax reform is best interpreted as yet more evidence of the
president’s weakness, rather than as a sudden demonstration of new stature.
Trump appears to have had little influence over the timing or substance of
the policies the House and Senate devised; in general, he seems content to
simply sign on to whatever agenda congressional Republican leaders set. Far
from unifying Republicans around a Trump agenda, he appears reduced to
cheerleading for a Republican one.
...What fraction of Trump’s agenda (distinct from the GOP agenda) has
Congress even considered? Not a border wall or other immigration
restrictions. Not major protectionist legislation. The president did submit a
budget for fiscal year 2018, which was declared dead on arrival by Democrats
and Republicans. It has been almost totally ignored by appropriators, just as
Trump’s suggested 2017 budget numbers were. One important bill that was
approved was a trade measure Trump opposed, reducing his discretion to adjust
sanctions against Russia. That one passed almost unanimously.
...The determination that Trump is a weak president, struggling to assert
power — and indeed on the brink of a failed presidency — ought to be cold
comfort to Democrats and liberals, because weak presidents can be dangerous
leaders. While more vulnerable to electoral defeat, they may also be tempted
to take risks — including foreign policy risks — to increase their stature.
And that could lead to disaster.
Trump’s embarrassing FISA tweets show that Republicans are simply ignoring
him.
This morning, shortly after Fox & Friends aired a segment urging him not to
reauthorize FISA’s warrentless wiretapping program, President Trump claimed
that the program was used to spy on him and his campaign.
According to Axios, GOP leaders were “horrified” by the tweet, in part
because the Trump administration had been urging congressional leaders to
reauthorize the program. In fact, the administration reaffirmed its support
for it in a statement last night.Less than two hours after sending the tweet,
Trump clumsily walked it back...
...But GOP leaders have simply gotten used to this dynamic. In another White
House, this lack of message discipline—the president contradicting a policy
priority being pushed by his own administration—would be huge news. A source
close to GOP leaders told Axios, “I have decided that the only way to stay
sane in Trump’s Washington is to ignore everything he says.” That’s what
Republican leaders are doing now.
Ubiquitous
Jan 15, 2018, 9:31:25 AM1/15/18
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TROLL-O-METER
5* 6* *7
4* *8
3* *9
2* *10
1* | *stuporous
0* -*- *catatonic
* |\ *comatose
* \ *clinical death
* \ *biological death
* _\/ *demonic apparition
* * *damned for all eternity
5* 6* *7
4* *8
3* *9
2* *10
1* | *stuporous
0* -*- *catatonic
* |\ *comatose
* \ *clinical death
* \ *biological death
* _\/ *demonic apparition
* * *damned for all eternity
TS
Jan 17, 2018, 9:40:42 PM1/17/18
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