The speech was not inspiring. It felt like Donald Trump was reading from a shopping list.
Trump ignored the issue of dealing with DACA and deaths caused by repeated use of weapons by the hate filled and deranged people that have committed repeated killings. Even in his honoring those who stopped the killing at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh shooting but not a word about stopping the killing committed by the use of guns. Gun violence is a national emergency.
1. A discordant call for unity
“We must reject the politics of revenge, resistance, and retribution — and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise, and the common good.”
Starting with Donald Trump’s attacks and name calling suddenly he started his speech with conciliatory words that were nowhere to be found since he began his candidacy for the office of president. Who did he think he was talking to? Does he really believe one speech will change Democrat perception of him as a bully who only wants his own way?
2. A call for a wall, but no demand
“It will be deployed in the areas identified by border agents as having the greatest need, and as these agents will tell you, where walls go up, illegal crossings go way down.”
Could Donald Trump be backing down just a little? These word along with his recent statements that the wall is already partially built and more has already been approved may be a signal that a wall from sea to shining sea is something he understands he will never achieve. And there wasn’t a word about declaring a national emergency.
3. A double-down on withdrawal from Afghanistan and Syria
No adamant insistence that there immediate withdrawal of all troops by a date certain but he is determined to bring all troops out of those countries very soon. Maybe James Mattis’ resignation did send a message along with words from some Republican lawmakers did have an effect.
4. Areas for compromise?
Infrastructure repairs and prescription drug cost controls are areas where there could be compromise if both parties are really serious.
5. The shocker
Congress should pass a law denying pregnant woman the right to a late term abortion said the president. No one wants an abortion. The decision to abort is horrible. Should those decisions be controlled by a law or by what would be best for mother and child? Happily as Trump pointed out there are more woman in Congress than ever before. They were mostly wearing white outfits and mostly Democrats This proposal made his base happy but happily it’s dead on arrival.
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