Only in Trumpland America could we have the State of the Union address the night before the Senate is to vote on the impeachment of the President! You can’t make this up. But it illustrates how rapidly the impeachment issue has been relegated to the back burner and totally dismissed by most attentive observers–it was a total failure, politically and substantively, and serious damage has been done to the body politic. Sen. Mitch McConnell, in his own inimitable way, summed it up best: “We have watched a major American political party adopt the following absurd proposition–we think this president is a bull in a china shop, so we’re going to drive a bulldozer through the china shop to get rid of him”.
But in fact, as he delivered his speech, the latest Gallup Poll showed Trump’s approval rating had increased to 49%, the highest since his election. This obviously reflects growing confidence in the strength of the economy, but also probably includes a significant amount of displeasure with the Democrats attributed to the impeachment fiasco.
In the speech, he hit every key button on the strength of the economy, chastised support for socialized health care, indicated strong support for school choice, spoke out forcefully against late stage abortions, reminded the audience of his two Supreme Court appointees, criticized state governments that have established “sanctuary cities” for illegal immigrants, applauded the U. S. military for taking out Iranian General Soleimani, and had something for almost everyone in his choice of the special guests he introduced, particularly the tribute to Rush Limbaugh. Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s childish performance during the speech, followed by almost ceremoniously ripping up her copy of it, was a classless act that violated any pretense of dignity and civility that her office should demand.
Clearly, this speech represented the official launch of Trump’s campaign for re-election and we all know that, given his impetuosity, he will find many ways to inflict political problems on himself, but conversely he can take strength from his opponents who are so bound and determined in their hatred and obsession with him that they will continue to make stupid choices, like impeachment.
A final thought: I’ve watched a lot of SOTU speeches over the past half century, but never one that better illustrated how divided we are–literally like being on two different planets–and I don’t know how we get ourselves out of this situation except at the ballot box.
What if they take the ballot box out of the equazion ?
I had very similar impressions and thoughts. The meager, if any, positive reaction by the left side of the chamber at any time, for any topic, during the speech seemed programmed and so artificial. What a dour and unhappy group they are.
Pelosi actions,unamerican
Bad for our image internationally
There haave been divisions in history that required violence to settle them: The Civil War, conflicts between East and West, national revolutions, etc. It is unfortunate but the vast gap between the aims of one side and of the other have not genearlly been settled peacefully exepting by separation.
Unfortunately, you might be right, Greg. We could very well be at a point that my church, the Methodist, has reached, which is that we could split up just to save the institution. In any case, here’s hoping we can find a Lincoln out there somewhere.
Speaking of some separation or civil war gets my attention. I am a Methodist and at least this church is constructively trying to solve a problem. With Trump it is all about the battle which he likes. He is no Lincoln but he would say he was. Regarding religion we saw Trump at his worst at the “unity prayer breakfast after he was acquitted. He is all about name calling, retribution and said he did not agree with the speaker before him who talked about Jesus and unity. Your book review above talked about a post Christian age in Europe. We are in a post Christian age in our presidency. He does not understand Christian principles or live them but he is followed faithfully by the Christian right. Mitt Romney is certainly a faithful person and did not deserve Trump’s effort to make fun of him but that is what Trump does.
Thanks, David. If you have access to today’s Wall Street Journal, look at the opinion piece entitled “President Donald J. MacGuffin” by Andy Kessler. It describes exactly what Trump is up to and I think he has you right where he wants you.
Make no mistake, the relentless and vicious attacks on Trump, his family and followers, are not just about Trump. While the left and the Washington bureaucrats hate Trump and his followers, the attacks are as much a warning to anyone that might follow him with similar beliefs. I remember Treasury Secretary Richardson’s warning many years ago, “Beware of the men in the grey flannel suits”. Well, we’re there now.