The President's reaction to the headline 'It Could Be Worse' was "What did I miss?'
12
I believe this is what is referred to as "damning with faint praise."
23
"The soft bigotry of low expectations"
Things could be worse because they haven't happened to you, Ross. You have good health care. You are not about to be deported. You will not soon run out of columns to write. You have not been brought down by the anomie and aimlessness that affect so many people of your generation and younger.
And you unaware that this country is on a path that would be unrecognizable to my generation. Within 50 years, it will split three or four subunits like the former Yugoslavia--a country on each coast, one in the middle, and perhaps one in the South.
Maybe that will be better.
Things could be worse because they haven't happened to you, Ross. You have good health care. You are not about to be deported. You will not soon run out of columns to write. You have not been brought down by the anomie and aimlessness that affect so many people of your generation and younger.
And you unaware that this country is on a path that would be unrecognizable to my generation. Within 50 years, it will split three or four subunits like the former Yugoslavia--a country on each coast, one in the middle, and perhaps one in the South.
Maybe that will be better.
29
The thing I find so remarkable is that is Trump is pushing policies that the majority of Americans are opposed to:
1. Huge tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans
2. Huge tax cuts for Corporations
3. Gutting Obamacare
4. Building a wall
5. Banning immigrants
6. Polluting the environment and returning to fossil fuels.
Trump claims, "My base wants it."
I don't expect Trump to be honest with his supporters and tell them the truth - that none of these things will help them and all of them will certainly hurt them.
But conceivably Trump should realize or at least be told that what he is planning will harm Trump himself when the consequences of his plans start to hit his voters.
I suppose he will just blame on the democrats, shroud the implosion in fake news or continue to deny reality. But as resistant to truth as his supporters are, the real consequences of thr destruction of the ACA are going to be hard to explain away.
So far, Trump seems to be failing and yet holding his own. To wit: the Times article "checking in" with Trump voters. Thus far, good people are doubling down on their choice despite the evidence. We'll see. Mr. Douthat is right: it could be worse and it most certainly will get worse.
1. Huge tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans
2. Huge tax cuts for Corporations
3. Gutting Obamacare
4. Building a wall
5. Banning immigrants
6. Polluting the environment and returning to fossil fuels.
Trump claims, "My base wants it."
I don't expect Trump to be honest with his supporters and tell them the truth - that none of these things will help them and all of them will certainly hurt them.
But conceivably Trump should realize or at least be told that what he is planning will harm Trump himself when the consequences of his plans start to hit his voters.
I suppose he will just blame on the democrats, shroud the implosion in fake news or continue to deny reality. But as resistant to truth as his supporters are, the real consequences of thr destruction of the ACA are going to be hard to explain away.
So far, Trump seems to be failing and yet holding his own. To wit: the Times article "checking in" with Trump voters. Thus far, good people are doubling down on their choice despite the evidence. We'll see. Mr. Douthat is right: it could be worse and it most certainly will get worse.
4
Douthat has ignored the current areas of real concern, Trump and his family's corruption and their horrible diplomacy skills. It will take a great deal to repair our image abroad and rebuild our country as a modern transparent democracy that respects the rule of law and upholds standards and norms of good governance.
6
Cool piece, It is nice putting my disdain for this administration into context. I do disagree with one of your points though--Trump's rhetoric's curbing of illegal immigration is not good. This fear inducing rhetoric has not curbed the surge in crime that ravages much of Latin america and prompts people to come here to begin with. Put simply, the tough talk has not done anything to uproot the humanitarian crisis that pushes innocent people to grace our country--no, they're just stuck now, without any place to turn to.
1
This column is Ross Douthat naked, folks, and as expected it isn't pretty.
Thanks for noticing that the armed insurrectionists aren't on the Left, Ross, but there is ample evidence that armed insurrectionists exist. Are you beginning to see which side they're on?
Thanks for noticing that the armed insurrectionists aren't on the Left, Ross, but there is ample evidence that armed insurrectionists exist. Are you beginning to see which side they're on?
14
You dare to tout the appointment of Grouch as a positive thing?!
That seat was stolen, though the most shameful means imaginable—Republicans refusing to do their Constitutional duty. And let's not pretend that it was some intention to "let the people decide". The people had spoken in reelecting Obama, and the Repubs went on to say that they would stonewall Hillary's nominations for all four of her years in office if she won.
That you can pretend that the appointment of Grouch was a good thing requires being appallingly and willfully blind to what your ever more ugly party just did.
That seat was stolen, though the most shameful means imaginable—Republicans refusing to do their Constitutional duty. And let's not pretend that it was some intention to "let the people decide". The people had spoken in reelecting Obama, and the Repubs went on to say that they would stonewall Hillary's nominations for all four of her years in office if she won.
That you can pretend that the appointment of Grouch was a good thing requires being appallingly and willfully blind to what your ever more ugly party just did.
16
Could be worse? Sure, but every day this president demonstrates how ignorant, vengeful, short-sighted, boorish and unethical a person can be--and how much damage even the incompetent can do when they have power.
I was a teenager during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When it was peacefully resolved, I realized I had spent my short life expecting a nuclear war--and suddenly, I didn't. But now, it feels like a nuclear war is a possibility within my lifetime.
I was a teenager during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When it was peacefully resolved, I realized I had spent my short life expecting a nuclear war--and suddenly, I didn't. But now, it feels like a nuclear war is a possibility within my lifetime.
14
Americans will know when the free press has really gotten what this so-called president is doing when he arrives at a press conference and there are no media types to take down what he says. Most Americans no longer care about his phony proposals. We wish only to constrain him from doing too much damage to our democracy until his term in office ends, hopefully by impeachment after 2018. We don't expect the craven Party Before Country Party to stand in his way. But there will be some justice for us eventually.
8
Ross if there was a literary prize for damning with faint praise you would win hands down. I suppose I have to agree, we should be thankful we've made a 100 days and Trump has not destroyed the US economy, started a civil war nor blown up the world in a nuclear holocaust. But, I do think we should strive for more from our Presidents.
21
It could be worse? Yes, I suppose it could be worse. We could be having a nuclear war right now.
6
That's alright. I suppose that if there is but a single human being left on earth after the war begun by a Donald Trump tweet, that human could reason that he is still alive and therefore things could have been worse.
As long a Mr.Douthat can get his column published on line, he is entitled to claim that things could have been worse.
As long a Mr.Douthat can get his column published on line, he is entitled to claim that things could have been worse.
7
Simply amazing, that our top opinion writers are placating us that as long as it is not doomsday we are okay. Is something terribly gone array with this country which establishes gold standards for rest of the world ? A republican senate and congress with a republican president has achieved nothing except publicizing Mar-a-Lago in news cycle every day and all you have to say is its not all down-hill, OMG. As a working american, most of us our held to higher standards than what the current administration has accomplished in 100 days. We should be grateful this administration inherited an economy financially sound thanks to it's predecessors (Obama administration's) extremely intense scrutiny of banking and business practices, and energy efficient policies. If not for the grand set up for past administrations work, the current one would have doomed us. I think it is time we demanded more. All we have seen is the Trump Family strutting around the globe promoting themselves and not one of them working for the country, that include the President.
15
Interesting that the writer is deafeningly silent with respect to the dire gathering storms, either one of which could be the death knell of this Administration: the multi-faceted Russian investigations, and further inquiries and litigation regarding far ranging conflicts of interest. To imply that Trump might serve out the total remaining days of his tenure is likely wishful thinking. As President, this man-child is a train wreck waiting to happen.
17
I am still waiting for him to actually shoot one of his supporters walking down the street and having the onlookers still support him. Nothing he has done has impressed most of us who were skeptical. Nothing. I don't think we should focus on him anymore. Focus on those who can reasonably keep us afloat. Let Tillerson, H.R. McMaster, and Mattis know that we are counting on them. Keep asking Jared and Ivanka to try their best and do no harm. And stay on top of congress so that they know we are watching and we care if they do or even if they don't.
Don't spotlight Trump. It is futile. He is not pivoting, He is not capable. He is a protest vote that got elected President. But out of compassion we should give him something important to do for us. My suggestion is have him work on eliminating the penny. Then we can genuinely praise him and he can call it the greatest accomplishment of any president ever.
7% of his presidency down, 93% to go. Hang in there America.
Don't spotlight Trump. It is futile. He is not pivoting, He is not capable. He is a protest vote that got elected President. But out of compassion we should give him something important to do for us. My suggestion is have him work on eliminating the penny. Then we can genuinely praise him and he can call it the greatest accomplishment of any president ever.
7% of his presidency down, 93% to go. Hang in there America.
24
This statement just blows my mind:
"If illegal immigration weren’t declining, he would face increasing pressure to turn ever-more-draconian..."
I'm continually amazed at how little you understand your own party, Russ. There is no "if..then." The narrative drives the truth, not the other way around. If the narrative of power needs illegal immigration to be a growing problem, that is what the "truth" will be. If they need Trump to be chasing the bad men away, that will be the "truth" instead.
"If illegal immigration weren’t declining, he would face increasing pressure to turn ever-more-draconian..."
I'm continually amazed at how little you understand your own party, Russ. There is no "if..then." The narrative drives the truth, not the other way around. If the narrative of power needs illegal immigration to be a growing problem, that is what the "truth" will be. If they need Trump to be chasing the bad men away, that will be the "truth" instead.
24
Grudgingly, as an out-of-date Upper West Side liberal, I am forced to concur. Trump will always be outrageous; by and large, New York real estate entrepreneurs at his level tend to be (the Stuyvesants, the Astors; the list is long). The tax proposals will not be enacted as outlined, but they are vague enough for plenty of wiggle room, and that is a good thing. Much of the political system is bogged down. Perhaps we should remember what Jefferson said (and I paraphrase broadly): a little revolution now and then is a good thing.
4
Mr. Douthat, how much damage do you think Trump could do to the economy in 100 days? That nothing terrible has happened so far is no indication that it won't. Also, the number of border crossings has been decreasing for years and again, any change observed recently can't really be ascribed to Trump. I know you desperately want to avoid accepting responsibility for Trump's election, but you have been promoting the mindless conservative approach to governance for years and he is the inevitable result.
26
Why do
Why do republicans think the stolen SCOTUS seat is a big win? It took a change of rules to get his approval. And it certainly didn't make America Greater. In the first week he was responsible for the death of 3 men in Arkansas.
This week we are closer to war with Korea.
The great negotiator isn't so good on the world scene.
So tell me again that it could be worse.
r
Why do republicans think the stolen SCOTUS seat is a big win? It took a change of rules to get his approval. And it certainly didn't make America Greater. In the first week he was responsible for the death of 3 men in Arkansas.
This week we are closer to war with Korea.
The great negotiator isn't so good on the world scene.
So tell me again that it could be worse.
r
12
"— well, given the possible scenarios in play, I’ll take it, and be grateful that my worst fears didn’t come to pass."
Ross,
I accept that you really mean what you say (above,) How can you remain
a Republican?
Ross,
I accept that you really mean what you say (above,) How can you remain
a Republican?
10
Republican rule is turning America into a surreal nightmare of plutocracy, tyranny, corruption, and environmental collapse. Trump's clown show administration is merely a just a symptom of - and distraction from - the deep rot at the heart of our sad, failed civilization.
20
It could be worse......just wait a few Months. Seriously.
10
Yes, thank Obama for all the good things that have happened so far in Trump's presidency. It might be that after Obama's stellar job in office we can afford an incompetent administration, as long as nothing big happens of course.
But what are the chances of the various hostiles around the world not taking advantage of our obviously weak leader? Personally I'd take the opportunity to exploit him.
But what are the chances of the various hostiles around the world not taking advantage of our obviously weak leader? Personally I'd take the opportunity to exploit him.
40
Really, other than Obamacare name one significant piece of legislature that was passed in the 8 years of the Obama presidency? Stellar job in office, please.
1
Agreed, yes it could be worse - in a nutshell, they could have been competent.......
5
The two accomplishments, a continuing positive economy and decreased illegal immigration, are BOTH continuations of the Obama era ... so, what's to celebrate? What no Ebola outbreak in the White House ... good job, Donnie
10
Wow...if this bar were any lower for Trump to clear, you'd only be able to find it in a coal mine.
14
It's only been 100 days, Ross. Much harm can be done in those 1360 days you are counting...
5
So - the bad news is that Trump is president, and the good news is that he's incompetent. Got it.
10
Yes Mr. Douthat, taking your thoughts seriously would indeed be "worse".
2
Isn't the national nightmare over with yet?
It seems forever since this insane fool became president...if there is a God, please transport him away from our world.
It seems forever since this insane fool became president...if there is a God, please transport him away from our world.
8
Oh but if it was not for those pesky federal judges!!! Oh my gosh..just think of the possibilities ! We would have lost health care for millions, deported tens of thousands of people, banned travel for anyone that even looked "Muslim", starved our most important cities of federal funds..the list goes on. This malevolent, ignorant, serial abuser, liar, and con artist, misogynist and bully; not to mention the fact that he was probably a traitor to his country with his Russian ties. Oh..but it could get worse ...and will.
9
The First Hundred Days matter to the extent that opponents become locked into their view of a President. Most people get better at their jobs with each new day, but isn’t there always someone who knew you back when and refuses to see you differently?
2
The six time bankrupt "successful" businessman, who was able to write of a total 6 times $1.5Billion (so it seems), is expected to become better by @Ed.
Maybe he will earn the US $9trillion in national bankruptcy.
Maybe we finally will get US treasuries down to junk bonds.
Maybe he will earn the US $9trillion in national bankruptcy.
Maybe we finally will get US treasuries down to junk bonds.
2
Well Ross, it actually could get worse and it has. While he has done everything in his power to advance the business interests of himself and his family, the factory in China in which Ivanka, his loyal WH adviser, manufacturers her line of clothing and accessories, has been charged with at least TWO DOZEN international industrial labor violation laws, and he said he was going to bring back jobs from China? Yeah right.
One can only hope that just a few of those that voted for this clown see these kinds of things continually happening and will finally understand who and what ``Trumpster the fraud`` really stands for.
One can only hope that just a few of those that voted for this clown see these kinds of things continually happening and will finally understand who and what ``Trumpster the fraud`` really stands for.
7
Ross, are you actually okay with the potential end to Jefferson's separation of church and state? Are you really excited about getting a good conservative "christian" on the Supreme Court? Does the convocation of evangelical "christians" and even dominionists in Trump/Pence's cabinet make you feel all warm inside? It makes me sick. And this is my country too, even if I don't choose to 'return to the church' as you've suggested. Thid is explicitly NOT a "Christian nation."
11
Talk about putting lipstick on a pig, Ross.
12
Happy, happy, joy, joy. Says, Mitch McConnell.
2
Sure, it could be worse. Zombie Apocalypse, how's that???
10
"I have to admit it's getting better...a little better all the time. (Paul's line)
It can't get much worse." (John and Ross' line)
Haven't dropped acid since the 60s, but may need to now.
It can't get much worse." (John and Ross' line)
Haven't dropped acid since the 60s, but may need to now.
7
Sure, if your yardstick is Cambodia under Pol Pot, "things" could be worse.
11
So, Ross, you're happy about Gorsuch when his very first vote allowed an execution to occur?
Is that within your version of selective morality?
Is that within your version of selective morality?
12
I have to chuckle when several writers have said that a 100-day success of Donald's is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch. Really? The nomination was stolen, unethically and without precedence, from the Democrats. Even then, in order to get it through they had to end the filibuster. You call that a success?
12
It's worse.
5
One of the better things about Trump's first 100 days, is the knowledge that we still have knowledegable Judges, and a working Court system that doesn't hesitate to abide by the U.S. Constitution, while putting the brakes on so-called "Executive Orders" that were issued as though they were fiats.
6
I think the question needs to be ask whether Trump or any Republican president can be legislatively successful as long as the Democratic minority in the Senate has an absolute veto through the filibusterer. It was a legitimate tool in a different time were bipartisanship was seen as a positive, not a sign of capitulation to the enemy. Eliminate the filibuster, let the party which controls the House, Senate, and White House governor. In less than 2 years for the congress, and less than 4 for the president the people can judge the results and vote accordingly. Both parties occasionally believe they have built a permanent majority but history keeps proving them wrong. So both side will win and lose from this change but at least things might get done.
1
The threat of an ICE crackdown is having an extremely bad effect on the economy of Newark, though. People are afraid to go out in public (and go to restaurants, retail stores, etc). So instead that money will be a nest egg for when they get deported, rather than staying in the communities in which they work.
4
Please write a column about what it means to be a fiscal conservative---
this President wants only to run the national credit card and make his rich friends richer---that generalization includes both corporate structures and individuals.
Let's do the "what if." thing that you have been doing recently:
What if: (as a conservative) we came up with a single payer health care system that covered base needs for everyone? I know, "base " is open to interpretation but I will yield that it should stop short of nose jobs and breast augmentation.
Paul Ryan has frequently quoted The President of Aetna for data around the ACA. Bluntly, I am dubious about anything coming from a man who will lose
a $30,000,000,0000 a year income if we move to some form of single payer.
What if: (as a conservative) we funded infrastructure programs that invited in private contractors who were small---say less than five hundred employees
and required some reasonable percentage of minority employees. Constantly feeding major contractors is not an answer for the creation of a "we are all on the same team" mentality.
What if: (as a conservative) we approach higher education as if it is that thing America does best, a business. In California it is currently behaving as if it was a
prostitute that can sell student admissions to foreign countries such China while excluding qualified students from this country.
The great myth that needs to be killed is that making the rich richer will benefit us all.
this President wants only to run the national credit card and make his rich friends richer---that generalization includes both corporate structures and individuals.
Let's do the "what if." thing that you have been doing recently:
What if: (as a conservative) we came up with a single payer health care system that covered base needs for everyone? I know, "base " is open to interpretation but I will yield that it should stop short of nose jobs and breast augmentation.
Paul Ryan has frequently quoted The President of Aetna for data around the ACA. Bluntly, I am dubious about anything coming from a man who will lose
a $30,000,000,0000 a year income if we move to some form of single payer.
What if: (as a conservative) we funded infrastructure programs that invited in private contractors who were small---say less than five hundred employees
and required some reasonable percentage of minority employees. Constantly feeding major contractors is not an answer for the creation of a "we are all on the same team" mentality.
What if: (as a conservative) we approach higher education as if it is that thing America does best, a business. In California it is currently behaving as if it was a
prostitute that can sell student admissions to foreign countries such China while excluding qualified students from this country.
The great myth that needs to be killed is that making the rich richer will benefit us all.
6
Ross, you're actually serious here? Damning with the faintest of praise and assessing the state of the country from the negative, "it could be worse?" I'm somewhat relieved as I thought your conclusion to that challenge was to be that we could have Hillary in the White House (different set of problems, I know).
But, really, is this man's world view or his view of his fellow human what you want at the helm? We are witnessing serious levels of public dysfunction, and you are touting that it could be worse. Like telling the inner city poor family struggling to make ends meet in a situation none of us would choose for ourselves, "no worries, at least you're not living in the 1950s where you couldn't eat at the same lunch counter as we do."
How do I hate what you write? Let ME count the ways.
But, really, is this man's world view or his view of his fellow human what you want at the helm? We are witnessing serious levels of public dysfunction, and you are touting that it could be worse. Like telling the inner city poor family struggling to make ends meet in a situation none of us would choose for ourselves, "no worries, at least you're not living in the 1950s where you couldn't eat at the same lunch counter as we do."
How do I hate what you write? Let ME count the ways.
10
Failing upward, the hallmark of any true blue blood, rich kid, Ivy League, East Coast elite who inherited a fortune from his dad.
7
"Well, given the possible scenarios in play, I’ll take it, and be grateful that my worst fears didn’t come to pass."
When anti-Trump skeptics (rabble-rousers, whatever a Trump supporter my call us) use terms like "normalization" of Trump and talk about his administration lowering standards of decency and discourse at the highest levels of our government... THIS is the sort of assessment we are talking about. For better or worse, human beings are capable of getting used to almost anything. Douthat's truism that "it could be worse" could be applied to literally ANY set of circumstances anywhere in the world whether past or present. Thus, Douthat sets no meaningful standards. He evaluates the President as one might evaluate a natural disaster (no one holds hurricanes to any standards either).
Subjectively speaking, Trump has failed to meet the vast majority of his own standards for his first 100 days. Maybe he will eventually be able to cross items off his dubious list (like a student may have a better final exam than midterm), but as to this particular milestone, he has failed. The fact that his base has demonstrated an incredible tolerance for Trump's failures to date is truly fascinating, but obviously not relevant. If professions of loyalty are relevant, Kim Jong-Un's most recent missile test was a wild success, right? After all, it's not like he lost any support from his base...
When anti-Trump skeptics (rabble-rousers, whatever a Trump supporter my call us) use terms like "normalization" of Trump and talk about his administration lowering standards of decency and discourse at the highest levels of our government... THIS is the sort of assessment we are talking about. For better or worse, human beings are capable of getting used to almost anything. Douthat's truism that "it could be worse" could be applied to literally ANY set of circumstances anywhere in the world whether past or present. Thus, Douthat sets no meaningful standards. He evaluates the President as one might evaluate a natural disaster (no one holds hurricanes to any standards either).
Subjectively speaking, Trump has failed to meet the vast majority of his own standards for his first 100 days. Maybe he will eventually be able to cross items off his dubious list (like a student may have a better final exam than midterm), but as to this particular milestone, he has failed. The fact that his base has demonstrated an incredible tolerance for Trump's failures to date is truly fascinating, but obviously not relevant. If professions of loyalty are relevant, Kim Jong-Un's most recent missile test was a wild success, right? After all, it's not like he lost any support from his base...
7
Yes, it could be worse. The Donald hasn't yet started a war with North Korea or provoked the North Koreans to destroy South Korea or Japan. But overall we are getting exactly what those whose vote counted most wanted: a crooked member of a crooked family with many seriously crooked associates, a knowledge of math barely at a third grade level, and an understanding of government less than that of a failing 8th grader.
13
Keep on hoping, Bunky because your listed positives are filled with words like "still," "if" "so far," "fraught and strange." . . .
Remain a Republican as long as you can but you have failed to change the way I see this clown prince who would be president.
Remain a Republican as long as you can but you have failed to change the way I see this clown prince who would be president.
7
We have a vulgar, bigoted, narcissist, with a short attention span sitting in the White House. He is the face the United States presents to the rest of the world and serves as a role model for the next generation of young adults. You don't need to mention that you can't believe anything he says or that he has provided no evidence that he ever had any idea how to accomplish - repeal and replacement of Obamacare, tax reform, job creation, international trade, immigration reform, or foreign policy. The fact that he is a vulgar bigoted narcissist with a short attention, span by itself means he has been a disaster to anyone with a functioning prefrontal cortex.
5
Seriously, Ross, if you set the bar any lower an ant could traverse it....
13
It is worse:
1. The economy is still moving on inertia, not guidance from this administration
2. I’ll give you your argument on the ACA today. Tomorrow? Not-so-much.
3. Normalized? To a certain extent? What are you using as a metric? The avowed psychotics left; now we have the merely bi-polar are running the show.
4. Justice Gorsuch is a win if you want a fully robustly politicized SCOTUS; I don’t.
5. Again, what metric are you using? By my reading, the last time we had this type of internecine familial vitriol in politics was in the run-up to the Civil War. Maureen Dowd’s brother, anyone?
If this is what you see as “it could be worse!” at this point in the Trump Administration, I definitely do not what to see what you would actually consider worse.
1. The economy is still moving on inertia, not guidance from this administration
2. I’ll give you your argument on the ACA today. Tomorrow? Not-so-much.
3. Normalized? To a certain extent? What are you using as a metric? The avowed psychotics left; now we have the merely bi-polar are running the show.
4. Justice Gorsuch is a win if you want a fully robustly politicized SCOTUS; I don’t.
5. Again, what metric are you using? By my reading, the last time we had this type of internecine familial vitriol in politics was in the run-up to the Civil War. Maureen Dowd’s brother, anyone?
If this is what you see as “it could be worse!” at this point in the Trump Administration, I definitely do not what to see what you would actually consider worse.
7
Thanks for pointing out how much lower Trump could push the bar!!!! It's a ray of sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!
4
Hey- his Family Business is doing GREAT!!! Isn't that the point???
8
Bushwah! This column is the equivalent of a man who jumped off the Empire State Building who, as he passed the 72nd floor yelling "so far, so gooooooooooo"
6
The glass is half fool.
6
You write that one of his two big accomplishments is the rapid fall-off of illegal crossings/immigration. Way before the election of this buffoon, I read several times that the actual immigration from the south had reversed itself and the net flow was actually headed south.....during the Obama administration! So Trump isn't to be congratulated for this, except for his hate-mongering that could be accelerating the reverse flow.
And Gorsuch? Well, duh! He just nominated someone who barely squeaked through the process. Whoopee! Big time Trump success.
I would say that his biggest accomplishment and the most awful, was his executive order releasing coal mining companies back to ruining streams and mountains.
And Gorsuch? Well, duh! He just nominated someone who barely squeaked through the process. Whoopee! Big time Trump success.
I would say that his biggest accomplishment and the most awful, was his executive order releasing coal mining companies back to ruining streams and mountains.
3
Yes. Ross, it could be worse, but it's bad enough for most of us. And it will get worse unless you and your friends get behind The Move To Impeach this moron.
3
It could be worse. Wow. And there I thought the "White House inner circle" was shrinking and becoming more incestuously weird, not less so. The daughter is just brutally vapid, as she demonstrated yesterday in Germany. She didn't like the "intonation" of the criticism? In that cawntext? Lady, next time you need four syllables to misappropriate, just blurt "four syllables!" instead. The MSM really need to quit pretending that she's smart and somehow classing up the joint. Or that her better angels will somehow keep the crazy train from going off the rails. It is incredibly sad that these people are actually in the White House.
7
How interesting that the first two Trump "achievements" Douthat points to are "didn't screw up the Obama-era economic expansion" and "didn't manage to eighty-six Obamacare." Wow, this Obama guy must've really been something! Whoever he is, kudos to Trump (and Douthat) for honoring him with the respect he deserves. Who says civility in Washington is dead?
5
I'm glad your feeling relieved at the 100 day mark, but let me remind you about North Korea and the incompetent one still has 3 years and 9 months left in office.
3
So this is what we're reduced to: Being glad that our country isn't being run in an even more cack-handed way than it is right now? Shaking my head.
3
I sense that Mr. Douthat is a man of faith. I think the real one Mr. Douthat is giving thanks to is God, for protecting us from such a thug as Mr. Drumpf.
19
Gorsuch? Trump selected him but McConnell's abuse of power lead to him even having that selection. Sorry, it's not an achievement.
8
Let's give credit and place blame where they're due:
"Weak attempts at propaganda and brazen lying are all, well, not normal."
- They've been normal for the Republi-Cants ever since Pres Obama was elected. Suddenly you're against them?
"Instead the Obama-era expansion has continued."
- You and your Republi-Cants never gave Pres Obama any credit for this while he was in office. Suddenly, you're relieved that it's been there all along?
"The proposed Obamacare replacement was so flawed that its passage would have achieved little or nothing for the common good."
- Are you referring to the replacement (which didn't really exist) during the 60+ attempts to reperal Obamacare that you and the Republi-Cants attempted? Suddenly, it's good that this thing (which didn't really exist) that you previously supported has been shot down?
"But if a financial crisis strikes tomorrow..."
- Do you mean the one that Pres Obama got us out of (that you and the Republi-Cants refused to give him credit for)?
"One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."
- You forgot to add: "for the seat that was stolen from Pres Obama."
"The anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
- You forgot to add: "and by the Republi-Cants during all of Pres Obama's term."
If you and the Republi-Cants had acted like reasonable adults about Pres Obama's accomplishments, you wouldn't have to act "relieved" about anything.
"Weak attempts at propaganda and brazen lying are all, well, not normal."
- They've been normal for the Republi-Cants ever since Pres Obama was elected. Suddenly you're against them?
"Instead the Obama-era expansion has continued."
- You and your Republi-Cants never gave Pres Obama any credit for this while he was in office. Suddenly, you're relieved that it's been there all along?
"The proposed Obamacare replacement was so flawed that its passage would have achieved little or nothing for the common good."
- Are you referring to the replacement (which didn't really exist) during the 60+ attempts to reperal Obamacare that you and the Republi-Cants attempted? Suddenly, it's good that this thing (which didn't really exist) that you previously supported has been shot down?
"But if a financial crisis strikes tomorrow..."
- Do you mean the one that Pres Obama got us out of (that you and the Republi-Cants refused to give him credit for)?
"One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."
- You forgot to add: "for the seat that was stolen from Pres Obama."
"The anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
- You forgot to add: "and by the Republi-Cants during all of Pres Obama's term."
If you and the Republi-Cants had acted like reasonable adults about Pres Obama's accomplishments, you wouldn't have to act "relieved" about anything.
6
The worst is yet to come.
6
You aren't giving Trump enough credit. He also didn't set fire to the White House or crash Air Force One. He didn't get caught actually backing a panel truck into the Treasury at night or fall down any terrifying flight of stairs. And the crowning achievement: no WW III in the first 100 days. Yes, all in all quite the presidential specimen.
And no, no credit for Justice Neal Gorsuch*. Get used to the asterisk.
And no, no credit for Justice Neal Gorsuch*. Get used to the asterisk.
12
Wow, the bar sure is low... and therein lies the banality of a presidency that was going to change everything.
5
Mr. Douthat,
You mention that it's good that Paul Ryan's Obamacare replacement didn't pass "...because the replacement was so flawed that its passage would have achieved little or nothing for the common good." I was not aware the the GOP is -- or ever has been -- the least bit concerned about the common good. It appears that you are, so you must not be a real Republican...
Real gopers are self-centered, mean-spirited, and will not be content until the federal government is destroyed.
And just so you know, I and countless others were opposed to Gorsuch's appointment because of his rulings and beliefs (which he pretended not to have), not because the gopers 'stole the seat' and turned themselves and the rules of Congress inside out doing so. Thanks once again, Mitch, you chinless, selfish, power mad, racist "southern gentleman."
Mr. Douthat, you remind me of the kid who when shown a room full of horse droppings starts digging because he just knows there's a pony in there.
You mention that it's good that Paul Ryan's Obamacare replacement didn't pass "...because the replacement was so flawed that its passage would have achieved little or nothing for the common good." I was not aware the the GOP is -- or ever has been -- the least bit concerned about the common good. It appears that you are, so you must not be a real Republican...
Real gopers are self-centered, mean-spirited, and will not be content until the federal government is destroyed.
And just so you know, I and countless others were opposed to Gorsuch's appointment because of his rulings and beliefs (which he pretended not to have), not because the gopers 'stole the seat' and turned themselves and the rules of Congress inside out doing so. Thanks once again, Mitch, you chinless, selfish, power mad, racist "southern gentleman."
Mr. Douthat, you remind me of the kid who when shown a room full of horse droppings starts digging because he just knows there's a pony in there.
8
This column reminds me of how Republicans talked during the campaign, like house-breaking a puppy -- praising the little guy extravagantly every time he doesn't pee on the carpet.
10
I never had to house-break a puppy -- but it sounds infinitely more rewarding than this.
10
Once again, Woody Allen is a useful guide.
Alvy Singer: "I feel that life is divided into the horrible and the miserable. That's the two categories. The horrible are like, I don't know, terminal cases, you know, and blind people, crippled. I don't know how they get through life. It's amazing to me. And the miserable is everyone else."
So this is what we've got. Trump-inspired nuclear winter: horrible.
Everything else: miserable.
Alvy Singer: "I feel that life is divided into the horrible and the miserable. That's the two categories. The horrible are like, I don't know, terminal cases, you know, and blind people, crippled. I don't know how they get through life. It's amazing to me. And the miserable is everyone else."
So this is what we've got. Trump-inspired nuclear winter: horrible.
Everything else: miserable.
7
Dear Ross Douthat,
“Do they know?” is the refrain of a famous song by Gian Carlo Menotti in Amahl and the Night Visitors. The crippled boy’s mother laments: Do the rich have any idea how hard it is it be poor and starving? Amahl is a terrific light opera.
Does he know? This is my question for President Trump, after reading Bill McKibben’s insightful op-ed in the New York Times, 4/23/17, titled, “The Planet Doesn’t Have Time for This.”
McKibben writes, “. . . we only have a short window to deal with the climate crisis or else we forever lose the chance to thwart truly catastrophic heating.” His essay should be required reading for all Americans, especially politicians.
Edward O. Wilson, the famous Harvard entomologist, predicts that if we do not change course on carbon dioxide and other green house gas emissions and human population growth, in the next eighty-five years, the earth will probably lose roughly eighty percent of our species diversity. The Washington Post reported that one scientific study estimated there are roughly 8.7 million species on earth. E.O. Wilson predicts then that we will lose roughly 7 million out of 9 million species.
pollution are crowding out many other forms of life.
Out of space. Please read Bill McKibben in the NYT.
Thank you NYT for that piece, and the others that day which reported on extinctions etc.
You can finish what I wrote at my blog 1, InconvenientNews.wordpress.com
Thank you for your attention.
“Do they know?” is the refrain of a famous song by Gian Carlo Menotti in Amahl and the Night Visitors. The crippled boy’s mother laments: Do the rich have any idea how hard it is it be poor and starving? Amahl is a terrific light opera.
Does he know? This is my question for President Trump, after reading Bill McKibben’s insightful op-ed in the New York Times, 4/23/17, titled, “The Planet Doesn’t Have Time for This.”
McKibben writes, “. . . we only have a short window to deal with the climate crisis or else we forever lose the chance to thwart truly catastrophic heating.” His essay should be required reading for all Americans, especially politicians.
Edward O. Wilson, the famous Harvard entomologist, predicts that if we do not change course on carbon dioxide and other green house gas emissions and human population growth, in the next eighty-five years, the earth will probably lose roughly eighty percent of our species diversity. The Washington Post reported that one scientific study estimated there are roughly 8.7 million species on earth. E.O. Wilson predicts then that we will lose roughly 7 million out of 9 million species.
pollution are crowding out many other forms of life.
Out of space. Please read Bill McKibben in the NYT.
Thank you NYT for that piece, and the others that day which reported on extinctions etc.
You can finish what I wrote at my blog 1, InconvenientNews.wordpress.com
Thank you for your attention.
6
It's common knowledge that illegal border crossings have been decreasing for years, and that Obama was deporting people -- usually for good reasons --- at a far faster pace than did his predecessor. Was this columnist misleading or just mislead?
8
Prior to the election of Trump, illegal immigration across the southern border into the U.S. was already at a 45 year low.
4
"One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."
But we can't really count that one; if you stall long enough until you get the ball in your court and then do a slam dunk, is that any kind of "sportsmanship?"
But we can't really count that one; if you stall long enough until you get the ball in your court and then do a slam dunk, is that any kind of "sportsmanship?"
4
"The fact that this hasn’t happened, that instead the Obama-era expansion has continued."
I had to point this out. I thought I would never see a Republican columnists credit any economic expansion to Obama.
Now Mr. Douthat is giving out those "Participation Trophies" or those "I was there Awards".
This reminds me to the columnists (his name escapes me) who claimed that Trump accomplished a lot in 100 days by merely getting a Conservative Supreme Court Justice approved. Again one of those "I showed up Awards". Had the Senate been 51 democratic, the Court seat would still be empty.
Oh well, 100 days down and counting.
I had to point this out. I thought I would never see a Republican columnists credit any economic expansion to Obama.
Now Mr. Douthat is giving out those "Participation Trophies" or those "I was there Awards".
This reminds me to the columnists (his name escapes me) who claimed that Trump accomplished a lot in 100 days by merely getting a Conservative Supreme Court Justice approved. Again one of those "I showed up Awards". Had the Senate been 51 democratic, the Court seat would still be empty.
Oh well, 100 days down and counting.
1
Ross has shown how he whistles in the dark. However good that makes him feel just now, there are clouds above that aren't going away, and will rain upon the parade.
4
Of course, it's still being determined if trump's a traitor. And if his presidency normalizes corruption, nepotism, etc for future administrations. So, you're right. It could be worse. Time will tell.
2
It could be worse?
The founders of our republic were wise to insist that adherence to republican norms is a central qualification for anyone who aspires to our nation's highest office. Senators and representatives often proclaim their dedication to the principles embodied in our Constitution. Those among them who, out of concern for partisan advantage, allow the "abnormality" of the current administration to go unchecked are derelict in their most basic constitutional duties.
John Adams warned: "[A]varice, ambition, [or] revenge . . . would break the strongest chords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net." President Trump, in his "abnormality," is perhaps the biggest whale to ever test the fibers of our Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton favored the Electoral College as a hedge against the election of an unqualified candidate possessed of a talent for "low intrigue and the little arts of popularity" (Federalist No. 68). James Madison endorsed the Electoral College as a safeguard against the possibility that a majority of citizens, "actuated by some common impulse of passion," might unite in support of an unqualified candidate with results that are inimical "to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community" (Federalist No. 10).
Both Hamilton and Madison would acknowledge the present irony: Due to the Electoral College a minority of voters have elected a president devoid of civic virtue and otherwise unfit for office.
The founders of our republic were wise to insist that adherence to republican norms is a central qualification for anyone who aspires to our nation's highest office. Senators and representatives often proclaim their dedication to the principles embodied in our Constitution. Those among them who, out of concern for partisan advantage, allow the "abnormality" of the current administration to go unchecked are derelict in their most basic constitutional duties.
John Adams warned: "[A]varice, ambition, [or] revenge . . . would break the strongest chords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net." President Trump, in his "abnormality," is perhaps the biggest whale to ever test the fibers of our Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton favored the Electoral College as a hedge against the election of an unqualified candidate possessed of a talent for "low intrigue and the little arts of popularity" (Federalist No. 68). James Madison endorsed the Electoral College as a safeguard against the possibility that a majority of citizens, "actuated by some common impulse of passion," might unite in support of an unqualified candidate with results that are inimical "to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community" (Federalist No. 10).
Both Hamilton and Madison would acknowledge the present irony: Due to the Electoral College a minority of voters have elected a president devoid of civic virtue and otherwise unfit for office.
2
On the domestic side, we still have one huge problem.
If the economy goes into another downturn, and unemployment hits 8% again, we will have no protection. The Republican Party is stubbornly and completely clueless about fiscal policy.
Remember what former Speaker Boehner said, during the 2009 recession: “When American families are tightening their belts, they expect the government to be tightening its belt too.”
Translation: the Republicans insisted on massive numbers of lay-offs of government workers, on the federal, state and local levels.
Result: We fought 8% unemployment by going to 9% unemployment.
All of those pink-slips to government workers meant local businesses had fewer customers, leading to additional unemployment. And so on, down into a deepening spiral. Which we didn’t really come back out of until 2015.
If the economy goes into another downturn, and unemployment hits 8% again, we will have no protection. The Republican Party is stubbornly and completely clueless about fiscal policy.
Remember what former Speaker Boehner said, during the 2009 recession: “When American families are tightening their belts, they expect the government to be tightening its belt too.”
Translation: the Republicans insisted on massive numbers of lay-offs of government workers, on the federal, state and local levels.
Result: We fought 8% unemployment by going to 9% unemployment.
All of those pink-slips to government workers meant local businesses had fewer customers, leading to additional unemployment. And so on, down into a deepening spiral. Which we didn’t really come back out of until 2015.
4
Gosh:
to counter Mr. Doucat: "but still a striking one — is the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border"
Untrue in California. I am witnessing, as in daily, a huge increase in undocumented Mexican workers, laborers, performing gardening, tree trimming and lawn mowing and other street visible labor everywhere. Either there has been a migration from other States which are not sanctuary states into California, or there has been an increase of undocumented immigration from Mexico via California.
2) Mr. Doucat was not alive during the 1960s and if he was alive during the 1970s at all, he was a child. He cannot comment on a history he did not witness or experience. His comment "...thus far the anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
Allot of Trump panic? Really?
I don't know where the idea that the 1960s 1970s were "mad" comes from. Perhaps the unwanted war with North Vietnam and the death of more than 55,000 soldiers and military personnel and countless others injured and made physically disabled, has something to do with the Protest movements of that time, perhaps? And how about that corrupt former President, Nixon?
What is the New York Times trying to accomplish here?
to counter Mr. Doucat: "but still a striking one — is the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border"
Untrue in California. I am witnessing, as in daily, a huge increase in undocumented Mexican workers, laborers, performing gardening, tree trimming and lawn mowing and other street visible labor everywhere. Either there has been a migration from other States which are not sanctuary states into California, or there has been an increase of undocumented immigration from Mexico via California.
2) Mr. Doucat was not alive during the 1960s and if he was alive during the 1970s at all, he was a child. He cannot comment on a history he did not witness or experience. His comment "...thus far the anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
Allot of Trump panic? Really?
I don't know where the idea that the 1960s 1970s were "mad" comes from. Perhaps the unwanted war with North Vietnam and the death of more than 55,000 soldiers and military personnel and countless others injured and made physically disabled, has something to do with the Protest movements of that time, perhaps? And how about that corrupt former President, Nixon?
What is the New York Times trying to accomplish here?
3
Wow, when the best you can say is it's great the President failed to tank the economy, start a war, and ruin the country, it's quite telling.
Please stop saying the nomination and confirmation of the newest Justice is a Trump success. It took a Republican Majority Leader changing very old Senate rules to silence the minority party in order to get that done. A nuclear option is no more a success in the Senate than dropping a nuclear bomb on North Korea would be a success.
Please stop saying the nomination and confirmation of the newest Justice is a Trump success. It took a Republican Majority Leader changing very old Senate rules to silence the minority party in order to get that done. A nuclear option is no more a success in the Senate than dropping a nuclear bomb on North Korea would be a success.
3
It's crazy to be thankful for a false fear like violent insurgency from the progressives in the country. The wackos with guns are in the right wing. Mr. Douthat makes an inflammatory comparison with his false relief. What's wrong with this man?
1
Rather than demanding competence, clarity, transparency and anything else demanded from the Obama Administration, Mr. Douthat and the other apologists for this administration and the Conservatives that support it merely shrug and say "well, it could be worse." If there were any question about the credibility of conservative claims to integrity and morality, they have all been laid bare as the baseless claims they always were. Mr. Douthat's religious superior attitude notwithstanding, he has demonstrated the failure of conservatives and conservatism as an ethical force for good.
2
Vveryday the incompetence and sourness of this administration seeps through the system like a leaking septic tank.
The environment -the arts - needed relief programs - women's and minority rights - are assailed with direct decrees from a hip singing staggering undisciplned lazy embarrassment of a president.
And then there's the conflicts of interest as the white house becomes a garage sale for his rich and powerful cronies.
Could you possibly set the bar any lower?
The environment -the arts - needed relief programs - women's and minority rights - are assailed with direct decrees from a hip singing staggering undisciplned lazy embarrassment of a president.
And then there's the conflicts of interest as the white house becomes a garage sale for his rich and powerful cronies.
Could you possibly set the bar any lower?
2
Perhaps Trump should have taken his theme song from Monty Python's movie "Life of Brian" -- the crucifixion scene with everyone hanging from crosses and singing the cheerful anthem, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!"
3
For those of you who are still whining that Neil Gorsuch stole the Supreme Court meant for Merrick Garland I have one piece of advice: Get over yourselves already!!!!" I put the whole blame for the Garland fiasco on the Democrats. Barack Obama did his constitutional job by nominating a competent judge to replace Antonin Scalia. But that's as far as it went. Obama was a little too over confident that the Republicans meekly comply and rubberstamp Merrick Garland to his rightful place on the Supreme Court. Obama failed to understand how strong the Republican resistance would really be. Mitch McConnell, worried about losing the 5-4 conservative edge on the Court, ordered Republican senators to close ranks and block Merrick Garland's nomination from seeing the light of day. Senate Democrats just let that cynical election year ploy go right by without so much as a whimper of protest. It was the do-nothing Democrats that let Merrick Garland twist in the wind for months. The lesson to be learned is that maybe the Democrats should have fought a little bit harder in defense of the president's Supreme Court pick. Too late to cry over spilled milk and missed opportunities. The Democrats blew it big time.
Weren't the republicans the majority?
3
The stock market indicates how much money the richest companies in America think they will be able to grab over the next few days. The high numbers might only mean America's Greediest are on a roll, expecting tax cuts and and end to regulations. If you think the economy is healthy, you need to get out and talk to some Trump supporters.
4
It is bad enough - and yet we Americans have great checks and balances that is vigorously monitoring and Trump activities internal Whit House & external agendas that a constellations of backward ideas, strange people and then yes t the glided close knit array of those of favorite on call all the time and for every event that needs to be bounced around for the - yes ideas, and exorcism are unlimited from North Korea to the wonders of the mother of all bombs. Trump success is as much a Quantum Chromodynamics mechanics that has interior quarks and flavors that is giving new light to events that may be never before expressed in the very nature of the American political systems that is going to get worst - or to say more unconformable, unforgiving, and unenlightened as ever understood in the annals of Western traditions for the last several millennium...
Welcome to the electronic digital Presidential quantum design and all brought to life by the scientist that are to rule the planet the sooner the better......
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
Welcome to the electronic digital Presidential quantum design and all brought to life by the scientist that are to rule the planet the sooner the better......
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
1
How low do we have to set the bar for Donald Trump?
True, it's a success that he hasn't accomplished what he campaigned for. But that still leaves a highly unprepared, incompetent person in the oval office and a Congress run by those who turn the other way to every potential scandal or impropriety.
True, it's a success that he hasn't accomplished what he campaigned for. But that still leaves a highly unprepared, incompetent person in the oval office and a Congress run by those who turn the other way to every potential scandal or impropriety.
3
The falloff in illegal immigration is for the same reason there has been a falloff in international tourist visitors to the USA. Nobody wants to be in a country run by crazy people who don't like foreigners.
3
Barak Obama did bupkis for the economy. Somehow the economy has continued to function despite Republican insanity and neglect on the one hand, and liberal progressive repression of real economic growth on the other.
We still have the 40 pound bag of cement around our necks, the ACA. Thank you Barak Obama, for saddling us with a medical plan that combines the worst of corporate malfeasance and government incompetence.
We still have the 40 pound bag of cement around our necks, the ACA. Thank you Barak Obama, for saddling us with a medical plan that combines the worst of corporate malfeasance and government incompetence.
It could be worse...and it will be.
Regrettably those of us who oppose him and what the GOP want to get accomplished will suffer along with the losers who voted for this.
Regrettably those of us who oppose him and what the GOP want to get accomplished will suffer along with the losers who voted for this.
7
At least there's the cold comfort that we saw it coming....
1
It's a really low bar that the Gorsuch confirmation counts as some kind of achievement. It required nothing you or I couldn't do. Trump just ascented to the guy the Heritage Foundation picked for him, and even then the GOP had to jettison the filibuster to get him confirmed.
4
Glad that Ross recognized the Obama economic expansion.
5
Why am I convinced that, were this April 2009 and a Times opinion writer had said of new President Obama's 100-day mark, "well, it could be worse," Ross Douthat would be leading the parade of conservatives ridiculing such soft bigotry of low expectations?
3
The environment? His pick for the EPA and his proposed cuts to agencies' budgets? The review of previous Presidents' protection of land and water preserves? His chilling response to the Paris accord? Perhaps these matter a bit more to overall well-being than the fact the stock markets are rising?
3
I'm a Brit and I don't claim to be an expert on US politics, but the appointment of Gorsuch was hardly an "achievement" was it, given the GOP's discreditable shenanigans to get him there? It would have been a real achievement to have failed to appoint him surely!
6
Kudos on your political acumen -- Gorsuch is hardly an "achievement", but given the fact that the G.O.P. essentially controls of all three branches of our government, failure to appoint him was out of the picture. And with the possibility of two-three more Supreme Court nominations in the wings, it's all positively frightening.
3
Gorsuch will go down as one of the worst raping of the US political system in history. People who care more about the country and civil governance than scoring points for Team Red will not soon forget this.
6
He's a cartoon character these days. The only thing Trump was right about was that the election was rigged----->for him.
It's been a cringe-worthy 100 days.
I know Republicans who say they mute the television if he starts talking.
Knowing he's been more than partially stopped makes it a bit easier to bear.
Next, his blatant breaching of the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution may be what brings his impeachment or resignation.
It's been a cringe-worthy 100 days.
I know Republicans who say they mute the television if he starts talking.
Knowing he's been more than partially stopped makes it a bit easier to bear.
Next, his blatant breaching of the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution may be what brings his impeachment or resignation.
2
Trump's presidency is proving once and for all that any nincompoop can be the President because there is a good system in place to cover the bases and make sure no harm is done.
3
And don't forget to factor in all the "nincompoop" voters, who voted for him in the first place.
2
Trump and his apologists like to point to the nomination of Gorsuch to the supreme court as an 'achievement'. The reality is that this seat was held open, for a year, due to the unconstitutional shenanigans of Senate Majority leader McConnell. Appointing a stolen supreme court seat is not something to be proud of. At least even Republicans were unwilling to go along with his draconian gutting of the ACA and other than some executive orders absolutely ZERO significant legislation has been passed by this administration. Of course, I would say that this is actually great for the country since Trump's plan to massively cut taxes, gut Medicare, and enrich the already bloated military-industrial complex would be a disaster for this country. 2018 can't come soon enough....
3
True, it could be worse. But counting on incompetence and bumbling ineptness to mitigate the worst effects of mendacious intentions is not a sustainable strategy. Though Trump has been mediocre his whole life, and Republicans in Congress seem focused like a laser on proving that they really -cannot- govern, there may yet be some capable achievers determined and able to guide the nation's future directly and efficiently into the ditch. The two-thirds of Americans not in Trump's thrall, and not such hard-core Republicans that they are willing to overlook all the accumulating evidence of incompetence, mendacity, and corruption must stay outraged, and stay committed to resistance until we all can vote in the 2018 midterm and sweep out the Trump enablers in Congress, and then two years after that we throw Trump in the trash.
1
Wow, aren't we settling for less? I am sure those being deported have nothing to cheer about, nor will the EPA and our environment have anything good to report
4
And I'm sure all those coal miners in West Virginia who are slowly dying from Black Lung disease, and about to lose their health coverage after voting for Trump, have nothing to cheer about either.
3
What's working for Trump is what worked with Obama. The country, and, apparently many women who would call themselves feminists can even vote their gender. Once. Picture aClinton first 100 days? Feels way better!!
1
It hasn't been such a bad morning for me.
I woke up and stepped on my water glass, causing me to go to the ER and get stitches for my foot - and my head, because I fell down and banged it against my glass topped coffee table, shattering that also.
Since I had to be at the hospital for 4 hours, I couldn't make it to work. So I was fired.
I have very little savings and my rent and bills for the month will be due in about a week. Oh, and my cat has been missing for three weeks.
But it could be worse.
I stopped on the way home from the hospital and had a delicious brownie and coffee.
I woke up and stepped on my water glass, causing me to go to the ER and get stitches for my foot - and my head, because I fell down and banged it against my glass topped coffee table, shattering that also.
Since I had to be at the hospital for 4 hours, I couldn't make it to work. So I was fired.
I have very little savings and my rent and bills for the month will be due in about a week. Oh, and my cat has been missing for three weeks.
But it could be worse.
I stopped on the way home from the hospital and had a delicious brownie and coffee.
7
Of course, fewer Mexicans are coming to the U.S. because of trump. Who wants to come to a country that would put him the likes of in charge. Most people would choose to leave but it's too cold in Canada and real estate in the BVIs is too expensive. So we just have to ride it out and hope we're all still here to see his last 100 days.
2
Yes, it could be worse. He hasn't started WW III - yet. (The missiles will start flying just before the full extent of his relationship with Russia is revealed)
3
My God! A republican talking points repeater who might have actually shown some capacity the look, at and speak about the obvious reality of this sesame street administration and it's jaw dropping incompetence at governing. Douthat and Brooks may actually be keeping a tiny ember of the knowledge of truth and integrity to what was once a republican party that had at least a little of each. The "White House" is now the once "Cartier" reduced to Walmart. and the slogan is "Beyond right and wrong there is the paradise of personal greed and grandiosity. Truth is for the little people!"
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
1
I was hoping that within the first 100 days the president would work on his complete inability to make a simple declarative statement in the motherland's common language: English.
The AP interview by Julie Pace dashed that hope.
The AP interview by Julie Pace dashed that hope.
3
I agree with one exception. We could have got worse than Judge Gorsuch to be sure. But his confirmation was a done deal. About as significant an accomplishment as tying your shoes.
1
Just because Trump's Presidency has not reached a full disaster state as of yet, is no reason to celebrate. There is plenty of potential for a bumbling Trump to do us all harm. Let us count the ways.
2
There is nothing normal about Donald Trump, the Trump family, the Trump Administration and all the Republicans who are putting party over country and enabling the Con-in-Chief. A bunch of grifters, who wave the flag and proclaim their fake Christianity, and hurt our country. Get to the truth about Russian interference in our elections now!
6
Trump's accomplishments: he abetted in the unlawful coup to steal a Supreme Court seat and he made the US unattractive to many people, thus discouraging immigration. And beyond that, has not, in just 98 days tanked the economy or gotten us into a war. You forgot another thing: in spite of his setting the bar for what passes as governing to a previously unimagined low the country is still functioning and some people have hope that we can survive Trump. Oh wait, it's only been 98 days. The jury's still out on that last one.
2
Let's see, in the plus column we have bluster, blind luck, his own stupidity and incompetence, and a level of restraint on the part of the opposing Progressive movement that all but the most bug-eyed gun-toting militia joining wing nut would have expected as a matter of course.
Yep, a brilliant first 100 days.
Yep, a brilliant first 100 days.
1
All you have to do to not drag the stock market down is promise to slash corporate taxes (and ignore deficits). Investors will pump money into the market in anticipation of a windfall (as we saw with W's tax cut for repatriated money, almost all of the money goes to shareholders, not new investments). It's not rocket science. That doesn't mean it's the best thing for the country as a whole.
1
You spoke as a republican-leaning reporter, trying to extract any positive thread of reason and purpose from a most arrogant, and highly ignorant bully, intent in destroying any remaining civility, now seeking to get the country bogged down in debt by an irresponsible tax cut, impossible to match and counter with limited public consumption. We haven't seen anything yet, but having a bull in a 'china shop' does not presage anything positive. Are we grateful prematurely? Yes!
1
Does Trump influence the rotation of the planets, has he rearranged the position of the Stars. Then maybe we should have a look up there to understand that the fires that have been started, and the corner time has turned, have their origins up there, and by design will bring relief to a beleaguered world moving forward into the light of a new day.
1
President Trump is doing a far better job than the last one ever did. Obama was feckless, passive, fearful and do-nothing. The Iran deal, the North Korea situation, the Syrian Red Line, Europe overrun by migrants, are all Obama's legacy. Not to mention the failed health care plan, botched stimulus, and trillions in debt. And yet the left keeps complaining about this one. Pathetic.
1
Give him time. Trump hasn't really changed a thing about any of the things you mention. Except explode a lot of ordinance to no real advantage and break up with Putin (so much for his own attempt at "Russian Reset"). I will say he's much better at lying and diversion/deflection than Obama was.
George, please send me your galactic coordinates! It is extraordinary, that two people from entirely different universes should both happen to read the same column in the same New York Times.
2
And what has Trump done to remedy any of these things? He is ensuring further increases in debt, and has done nothing in regards to the others.
"Obamacare replacement... would have achieved little or nothing for the common good".
Neither Donald Trump nor Paul Ryan have any interest whatsoever in the common good. Trump is greed personified and Ryan is a smarmy pseudo-intellectual, more likely to run a marathon in under 3 hours than to consider the effects of his quarter-baked policies on common citizens.
I believe that many in the Freedom Caucus do care about the common good, but their view of the world is so warped by ideologies whose failure they are unwilling to accept that they haven't a clue how to achieve the common good.
Yes, this administration's disfunction (and our courts) are the brightest spots in our current political life.
Dan Kravitz
Neither Donald Trump nor Paul Ryan have any interest whatsoever in the common good. Trump is greed personified and Ryan is a smarmy pseudo-intellectual, more likely to run a marathon in under 3 hours than to consider the effects of his quarter-baked policies on common citizens.
I believe that many in the Freedom Caucus do care about the common good, but their view of the world is so warped by ideologies whose failure they are unwilling to accept that they haven't a clue how to achieve the common good.
Yes, this administration's disfunction (and our courts) are the brightest spots in our current political life.
Dan Kravitz
2
If this ain't Orwellian Newspeak Orwellian Newspeak Ain't! If I understand the drift things are more or less successful to the degree that trump has more or less failed. Wow!! How low a bar we set. So, we still have Obamacare, thank God! So Obama's economic expansion has not been derailed, thank God! By these lights trump's term in office will translate into a nation daily on its traumatic knees beseeching God to stay involved. To account for our atheist and agnostic brothers and sisters perhaps a better way to relieve the trauma of this perpetual drama would be to simply bring back no-drama Obama!
And please enough with the Gorsuch charade. His confirmation was no arduous feat. For a year the Republicans engaged in Constitutional insurrection so as to hold that seat open for a dyed-in-the-wool conservative. When their moment came they would have pulled the nuclear trigger had that person been named Humpty Dumpty! For this trump gets a standing ovation. My Lord. Would t'were morning Hal, and all well!
And please enough with the Gorsuch charade. His confirmation was no arduous feat. For a year the Republicans engaged in Constitutional insurrection so as to hold that seat open for a dyed-in-the-wool conservative. When their moment came they would have pulled the nuclear trigger had that person been named Humpty Dumpty! For this trump gets a standing ovation. My Lord. Would t'were morning Hal, and all well!
2
"Character is destiny" -- Heraclitus
"Donald Trump is a fundamentally dishonorable and dishonest person — and has been his whole adult life." National Review, Oct, 2016
"But however mysterious is nature, however ignorant the doctor, however imperfect the present state of physical science, the patronage and the success of quacks and quackeries are infinitely more wonderful than those of honest and laborious men of science and their careful experiments."
-- The Humbugs of the World (PT Barnum)
Ross's hopes that Trump will transcend the above sound more than a bit like whistling past the graveyard.
"Donald Trump is a fundamentally dishonorable and dishonest person — and has been his whole adult life." National Review, Oct, 2016
"But however mysterious is nature, however ignorant the doctor, however imperfect the present state of physical science, the patronage and the success of quacks and quackeries are infinitely more wonderful than those of honest and laborious men of science and their careful experiments."
-- The Humbugs of the World (PT Barnum)
Ross's hopes that Trump will transcend the above sound more than a bit like whistling past the graveyard.
3
I agree with Douthat, and when I read one of his column like today's, I think maybe he has some common sense.
Of course, I will disagree with many of Neil Gorsuch's opinions, but by all accounts he is eminently qualified. Yes, we're lucky the economy is continuing to do ok. Yes, it is a good thing they didn't repeal Obamacare, or worse, create some Frankenstein healthcare system, although I'm surprised Douthat thinks this. Yes, Trump's personnel picks aren't ALL terrifying (although some are) and a few are actually qualified people.
In the midst of a lot of ridiculous immigration statements and actions from Trump, I do agree with some of what he (supposedly) is trying to do. We MUST completely reform the shameful abuse of the HB-1 visa ripoff of American workers.
And last but not least, parts of the 60s and 70s were indeed a conflagration. There were moments during that time when I was actually panicked our republic might not survive. Trump's election made me fear a return of that kind of rioting and societal breakdown, but the resistance seems much more measured now. (Maybe that's the difference between boomers being 22 years old and 60 years old.)
As you say, 1,360 days to go.
Of course, I will disagree with many of Neil Gorsuch's opinions, but by all accounts he is eminently qualified. Yes, we're lucky the economy is continuing to do ok. Yes, it is a good thing they didn't repeal Obamacare, or worse, create some Frankenstein healthcare system, although I'm surprised Douthat thinks this. Yes, Trump's personnel picks aren't ALL terrifying (although some are) and a few are actually qualified people.
In the midst of a lot of ridiculous immigration statements and actions from Trump, I do agree with some of what he (supposedly) is trying to do. We MUST completely reform the shameful abuse of the HB-1 visa ripoff of American workers.
And last but not least, parts of the 60s and 70s were indeed a conflagration. There were moments during that time when I was actually panicked our republic might not survive. Trump's election made me fear a return of that kind of rioting and societal breakdown, but the resistance seems much more measured now. (Maybe that's the difference between boomers being 22 years old and 60 years old.)
As you say, 1,360 days to go.
2
Typically, I vote for a president because that office's ability to structure or restructure the Federal agencies. It may not be glitzy, but starting a flood of career public servants leaving those agencies is my idea of how it not only could be worse, but it already is. In the EPA, for instance, we'll be lucky if there is enough institutional memory left to put it back together again should a Democrat or moderate Republican be elected president. Similarly, my guess is that from the Food and Drug Administration to Health and Human Services, the Justice Department, and HUD, the government is going to lose a good deal of capacity. This is what Bannon set out to do, and he is succeeding.
1
My goodness, you've left out an 84% increase in anti Semitic incidents in the United States in 2017. Like it or not, they are directly related to the President's courting of the Uber Right Ubermenchen, who believe that only the white races have a right to rule America (never mind that they are no longer a majority of the country).
I might also add that there has been an increase in acts of violence all across the United States since DT's election. AOL news reported in February that, "..., New York had the highest amount of hate incidents with 33 since Nov. 9. California followed with 27, Texas with 25 and Florida with 18 incidents. The report also found that 26.8% of the incidents targeted Jewish people, black people with 22.9%, LGBTQ people with 13.7%, Muslim people with 11.8%, Latinx with 10.3% and other with 14.9%. The reported incidents included acts of violence toward Trump supporters and protesters under "other."
Almost 1.5 months have passed since that report and there have been more anti Semitic and other hate incidents.
Yesterday the President made nice to the Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day, but his efforts are too little, too late. Our President peddles hate on Twitter and from Florida and the White House. Notable, the worst areas of hate have been in New York and Florida, which are Trump homelands.
It could have been worse Mr. Douthat, but it is still pretty bad. We have gone quickly from a haven of tolerance in the World to just another hate filled nation.
I might also add that there has been an increase in acts of violence all across the United States since DT's election. AOL news reported in February that, "..., New York had the highest amount of hate incidents with 33 since Nov. 9. California followed with 27, Texas with 25 and Florida with 18 incidents. The report also found that 26.8% of the incidents targeted Jewish people, black people with 22.9%, LGBTQ people with 13.7%, Muslim people with 11.8%, Latinx with 10.3% and other with 14.9%. The reported incidents included acts of violence toward Trump supporters and protesters under "other."
Almost 1.5 months have passed since that report and there have been more anti Semitic and other hate incidents.
Yesterday the President made nice to the Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day, but his efforts are too little, too late. Our President peddles hate on Twitter and from Florida and the White House. Notable, the worst areas of hate have been in New York and Florida, which are Trump homelands.
It could have been worse Mr. Douthat, but it is still pretty bad. We have gone quickly from a haven of tolerance in the World to just another hate filled nation.
3
It has been reported that the real cause of the sinking of the Titanic was a coal fire smoldering, then raging in the hull for weeks that heated and weakened the hull. This rendered the ship vulnerable to the iceberg that was in fact, the secondary cause of the disaster. This fire was known before the ship set sail, but in favor of commerce, the show must go on, the cruise went forth anyway, with crew under orders to not reveal the fire. True or false, I think it an apt metaphor for Trump's first hundred days. The biggest accomplishment of this administration is the total dismantling of the effort to fight climate change, in favor of a status quo dependent on burning fossil fuel. That fire smolders on, and will be the lasting legacy of this presidency, as it sucks the life from the planet, and threatens to sink the ship of civilization, a ship that Trump and his minions claim is invulnerable.
2
This is the kind of thought provoking commentary that makes reading Ross Douthat fun. What is most striking about it, however is not Ross, it is the overwhelmingly depressive commentaries I'm reading and the one dimensional NYT picks.
Having the Stock Market imitate an ongoing Fourth of July celebration is not a bad thing. My little retail business was up over fifty percent the first quarter of this year. Other small merchants around me are in a positive mood. That is not a bad thing either.
The "battle" between the Judiciary and the White House is a good sign for the health of American democracy.
The fundamental change in how Americans are thinking about healthcare made Ryancare look ludicrous. A fast growing majority of us now believe that we all deserve regular, reasonable healthcare not emergency room care.
More and more Americans are speaking out against paying twice as much for healthcare. The revolt against paying drug companies their extortionate prices while other countries pay a fraction of those costs, is bubbling just under the surface.
If Donald Trump turns against the Pharmaceutical Drug Cartel, as he has spoken of, the benefit to Americans and the further potential benefits from healthcare savings that it could lead to will be almost unbounded.
Having the Stock Market imitate an ongoing Fourth of July celebration is not a bad thing. My little retail business was up over fifty percent the first quarter of this year. Other small merchants around me are in a positive mood. That is not a bad thing either.
The "battle" between the Judiciary and the White House is a good sign for the health of American democracy.
The fundamental change in how Americans are thinking about healthcare made Ryancare look ludicrous. A fast growing majority of us now believe that we all deserve regular, reasonable healthcare not emergency room care.
More and more Americans are speaking out against paying twice as much for healthcare. The revolt against paying drug companies their extortionate prices while other countries pay a fraction of those costs, is bubbling just under the surface.
If Donald Trump turns against the Pharmaceutical Drug Cartel, as he has spoken of, the benefit to Americans and the further potential benefits from healthcare savings that it could lead to will be almost unbounded.
1
Among several objections to this otherwise well written piece, I object to the appointment of Gorsuch as an "accomplishment". Credit for that - if credit is taken in a common context in use these days, such as a terrorist organization taking "credit" for a death-dealing catastrophe - belongs to the GOP-controlled Senate.
Garland's nomination never made it past a planter box alongside the steps to the capitol building, ignored for almost an entire year on the specious notion of "leaving nominations up to the next president".
That was outrageous enough in itself, but then the "nuclear option" was used to force the appointment through. That action was justified - in the minds of the GOP - by a similar action by a Democratic Congress with regard to lower court justices. But there's a world of difference. The rulings of the Supreme Court are final, and become "the law of the land" unless or until a future court takes a second look. Rulings of lower court justices are subject to appeal at all levels. There's simply no comparison.
So it was hardly a Trump "achievement", but rather that of a Senate whose workings Trump probably didn't even understand.
Garland's nomination never made it past a planter box alongside the steps to the capitol building, ignored for almost an entire year on the specious notion of "leaving nominations up to the next president".
That was outrageous enough in itself, but then the "nuclear option" was used to force the appointment through. That action was justified - in the minds of the GOP - by a similar action by a Democratic Congress with regard to lower court justices. But there's a world of difference. The rulings of the Supreme Court are final, and become "the law of the land" unless or until a future court takes a second look. Rulings of lower court justices are subject to appeal at all levels. There's simply no comparison.
So it was hardly a Trump "achievement", but rather that of a Senate whose workings Trump probably didn't even understand.
When Donald Trump controls thermonuclear weapons, the survival of humanity rates as a success in my book. In truth, what you said seems correct. One of the things that worries me almost as much as a disastrous Trump presidency is a non-disastrous Trump presidency. If Trump doesn't discredit himself, will the masses think this kind of politician needn't be a one-off? "Let's do it again!"
Sure, a unique set of Western-world circumstances created the conditions for right-wing populists (and some left-wing populists too), as evidenced by similar successes in Europe, but should we really expect the GOP base to return its loyalty, in a non-disastrous, post-Trump world, to our Jeb Bushes and Marco Rubios? Is the future of the GOP—in the near term—just continuing appeals to more and more aggressive forms of white nationalism? What is the evidence that it ISN'T?
It's said that centrists won't ameliorate the anxiety and despair that spawn a Le Pen or a Trump; but it seems to me only a Le Pen or a Trump could. Actual problems are nearly never cured, and often made much worse, by extremist politicians once they're in power. I doubt Trump will move the GOP easily away from modern conservatism, as Kesler appears to think or hope. If it does, it will likely be toward something far worse, not a rebirth of fin-de-siècle Republicanism, which is hardly what Trump represents.
Sure, a unique set of Western-world circumstances created the conditions for right-wing populists (and some left-wing populists too), as evidenced by similar successes in Europe, but should we really expect the GOP base to return its loyalty, in a non-disastrous, post-Trump world, to our Jeb Bushes and Marco Rubios? Is the future of the GOP—in the near term—just continuing appeals to more and more aggressive forms of white nationalism? What is the evidence that it ISN'T?
It's said that centrists won't ameliorate the anxiety and despair that spawn a Le Pen or a Trump; but it seems to me only a Le Pen or a Trump could. Actual problems are nearly never cured, and often made much worse, by extremist politicians once they're in power. I doubt Trump will move the GOP easily away from modern conservatism, as Kesler appears to think or hope. If it does, it will likely be toward something far worse, not a rebirth of fin-de-siècle Republicanism, which is hardly what Trump represents.
Gorsuch is a stolen appointment and Mr Douthat should be careful celebrating.
5
To the extent that he spends time on the golf course, it will keep him out of mischief in Washington, DC.
2
The drop-off of people coming into the country illegally from Mexico began years ago. Sure, things could be worse. We could be fighting a war with North Korea! When you get two blustering fools who command troops making explosive statements bad things have a way of happening.
2
The bar is so low for Donald Trump, that he can walk out before the cameras, without wearing his pants and belch into the microphones, and half of the political pundits would praise the fact that he didn't vomit. Fox News would of course call it a presidential moment; Sean Hannity would shed an emotional tear, and Van Jones would say that Trump just became president again. We are living a grotesque absurdity under this disgustingly corrupt, ridiculously stupid Trump administration.
6
Is this more of your satire, Ross? Come on. Only a straight, white, upper-middle class, Catholic male whose biggest concern is whether other people are having sex (or any fun EVER! grrrr) without his permission could think that things aren't so bad.
"Fourth, Trump does have two real achievements to his credit, two campaign promises kept. One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."
This is not an achievement. First of all, he had no right to fill this seat. Second of all, why should this be considered an "achievement"? Before your homeboy McConnell blew up the confirmation process, appointing justices to SCOTUS was a routine matter that never would have been categorized as an achievement. Also, wow, Trump got his nominee installed when his party controlled all of Congress! Slow clap for that powerful display of political acumen! What a hard road he traveled! Third, to those of us with *actual* rights at stake, the installation of this draconian misogynist onto the Court is not a welcome thing.
"Fourth, Trump does have two real achievements to his credit, two campaign promises kept. One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."
This is not an achievement. First of all, he had no right to fill this seat. Second of all, why should this be considered an "achievement"? Before your homeboy McConnell blew up the confirmation process, appointing justices to SCOTUS was a routine matter that never would have been categorized as an achievement. Also, wow, Trump got his nominee installed when his party controlled all of Congress! Slow clap for that powerful display of political acumen! What a hard road he traveled! Third, to those of us with *actual* rights at stake, the installation of this draconian misogynist onto the Court is not a welcome thing.
5
Hillary Clinton would have been worse.
1
not true.
1
Excuse me for saying so, but _how_??
2
@Chris: I beg to differ with you.
2
It could be worse, said the doctor to the dying patient. You might have survived. Ah, me. When it gets to the point that incompetence and stupidity are what we look to for salvation, is it worthwhile to try to continue?
2
Oh Yay! An illegitimate and incompetent president fills a stolen seat on the Supreme Court with a right-wing ideologue whose first act is to enforce the death penalty.
5
The optimist fell ten stories
And at every window bar
He shouted to the folks inside
"All right so far!"
And at every window bar
He shouted to the folks inside
"All right so far!"
3
And so the first 100 days of Trump's Unpresidency ends. That he has made Gorsuch a Supreme is the gift that will keep on giving for the next 40 years. Unfortunately, that's doing alot.
3
He's done great! He signed a bill that expands access to guns for mentally ill people, and allow hunters to kill bears who are hibernating.
Making America Great Again one Gun and Dead Bear at a time.
Making America Great Again one Gun and Dead Bear at a time.
8
Since the 2016 election, countless articles have been written about the Democratic Party - its failures, disarray and incompetence.
The trump Presidency has shown a light on the failures, disarray and incompetence of the GOP. This is a good thing.
After fielding 17 candidates for POTUS the GOP wound up with Trump as their man. Now if that wasn't a sign of disarray within the GOP I don't know what is but it was overlooked after the 'We Won'.
And now with the GOP controlling the entire government, Trump and Ryan can not even get a bill through. McConnell was able to get Gorsuch through by sheer manipulation not GOP strength.
Trump's 'achievement' with illegal immigration is only due to the vile threats posed by his and Sessions new laws. Disgusting treatment of fellow human beings, some of them US citizens but that doesn't matter in GOP Trump world.
Because the GOP can't find its way out of a paper bag, we have a POTUS who is potentially a tool of Russia, treason in the air. We have a POTUS who is flagrantly pocketing as much money as he can steal for himself and family while the GOP shows themselves to be ethical snakes.
Yes, finally Trump has exposed the GOP for what it truly is. That is a great success.
The trump Presidency has shown a light on the failures, disarray and incompetence of the GOP. This is a good thing.
After fielding 17 candidates for POTUS the GOP wound up with Trump as their man. Now if that wasn't a sign of disarray within the GOP I don't know what is but it was overlooked after the 'We Won'.
And now with the GOP controlling the entire government, Trump and Ryan can not even get a bill through. McConnell was able to get Gorsuch through by sheer manipulation not GOP strength.
Trump's 'achievement' with illegal immigration is only due to the vile threats posed by his and Sessions new laws. Disgusting treatment of fellow human beings, some of them US citizens but that doesn't matter in GOP Trump world.
Because the GOP can't find its way out of a paper bag, we have a POTUS who is potentially a tool of Russia, treason in the air. We have a POTUS who is flagrantly pocketing as much money as he can steal for himself and family while the GOP shows themselves to be ethical snakes.
Yes, finally Trump has exposed the GOP for what it truly is. That is a great success.
5
Is it "Gore-Such" or "Gore-Much"... I'm confused.. either way he should be embarrassed for accepting stolen goods
5
Shorter Douthat: the first 100 days of the Trump Kakistocracy aren't a total disaster because he's too incompetent to get much done.
3
Welcome to the glorious age of Diminishing Expectations. I can recall a time, the Kennedy administration for example, when there were real adult aspirations and goals well articulated and some of which came to pass. To be even the least bit relieved that this nitwit hasn't blow us all to kingdom come is truly sad SAD!
3
Gorsuch on the Supreme Court was 100% Mitch McConnell's accomplishment. He stonewalled a prior President's nominee for 8 months, and invoked the nuclear option of banning the filibuster to get the minimum necessary votes necessary for Gorsuch. Gorsuch goes into history like this:
"Neil Gorsuch* . . . .
* Became Supreme Court justice through two malevolent machinations of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky)."
"Neil Gorsuch* . . . .
* Became Supreme Court justice through two malevolent machinations of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky)."
5
This is beyond pathetic. There are no words left.
3
Nonetheless, the War on Science is at full throttle.
3
You are really grasping at straws Ross. There is poison from the root of the Trump Administration and the Republicans in Congress. The fact that the Republicans will not subpoena the White House records speaks volumes about the corruption that is being hidden.
Why not expose all of this in a column instead of the very unsteady reasons to not feel to bad. I never knew that you were a cockeyed optimist.
Why not expose all of this in a column instead of the very unsteady reasons to not feel to bad. I never knew that you were a cockeyed optimist.
3
Talking about grasping at straws, Ross.
2
I doubt that, Ross, as only the pope can pontificate..
"thus far the anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness" you mean in the way the Republicans treated Obama for 8 years?
8
Ross, you forgot to mention his golf game. I'm sure that's improved.
3
Trump's great accomplishment: He stands between us and Mike Pence.
5
Lying and cheating donnie has registered as a candidate for the next presidential campaign and is is going to campaign events.
WHO is paying for his campaign activities?
Air Force One is not cheap. I believe it is illegal for him to make the taxpayer pay for his campaign activities. He already had one in Florida and is planning another this weekend. Who knows what the bill will be for 4 years. His fragile ego needs to be in front of his supporters constantly.
Can SOMEONE investigate and make him reimburse us if he is charging his campaign activities to the American taxpayer.
Ironic since he is not a taxpayer. Maybe he can ask Russia for campaign contributions.
WHO is paying for his campaign activities?
Air Force One is not cheap. I believe it is illegal for him to make the taxpayer pay for his campaign activities. He already had one in Florida and is planning another this weekend. Who knows what the bill will be for 4 years. His fragile ego needs to be in front of his supporters constantly.
Can SOMEONE investigate and make him reimburse us if he is charging his campaign activities to the American taxpayer.
Ironic since he is not a taxpayer. Maybe he can ask Russia for campaign contributions.
2
The low economic bar that you say Trump has cleared is even lower than you stated. The economic effects of changes in federal government policy generally take about 6 months to have an impact on economic performance. That means there is practically nothing that Trump could have done that would have hurt the U.S. economy at this time. This is a test that anyone who is not deliberately trying to damage the U.S. economy can pass.
2
True......"it could be worse".....I am not sure how, but perhaps having George W as President again might be the equivalent. At least he had his Vice President ( I hate to even mention his name) to try to lead him down a different path - unsuccessfully........... The choiceswe have suffered through remind me greatly of "Alice in Wonderland"...............without even having a wonderland, but giving us leaders who leave us in a"wonderland"..........
2
Trump has "two campaign promises kept".
He could make it three if he released his tax returns.
Wouldn't need Congressional approval or nothin'.
He could make it three if he released his tax returns.
Wouldn't need Congressional approval or nothin'.
10
Stick around, it will get worse.
1
Gorsuch is not an accomplishment, it was achieved by the first time ever, by the Republican's using the nuclear option.
The economy was left strong from Obama.
Trump and his entire staff are following one mantra, that is to enrich themselves.
The economy was left strong from Obama.
Trump and his entire staff are following one mantra, that is to enrich themselves.
2
Of course it could be worse. Trump could start WW3. We have an incompetent, unbalanced narcissist surrounded by the gang who couldn't shoot straight, and both houses controlled by self-serving, divisive, misogynistic, racist, Islamiphobic, anti-middle class republicans. In my book nothing is worse then this.
1
What a strange, convoluted trip that was. He's grossly incompetent, but he hasn't blown up the world yet so we should be thankful. He's been president for less than three months!
1
Sorry... but the "successful nomination" of Gorsuch was hardly an achievement. The republicans had a majority in congress and had to "go nuclear" to place their guy into a stolen seat.
3
Have a nice day as well Mr. Douthat as I too give the rational world the finger. Why this column? It informs us of nothing. There is no insight other than a katty na na nana na shame on you silliness. Your President* is dangerous. If this was a Democrat impeachment hearings would have started by now and the sky would be falling with you leading the self righteous bullies with billions. You are so sleazy Rosco!
3
What, that in the first hundred days Trump's leadership hasn't blown up the world. Of course Douthat doesn't talk about the fact that Trump has managed to alienate almost all our allies. His focus on the wall is ridiculous given that most of the undocumented immigrants come by plane and overstay their visit to the U.S. But that is Trump and racial profiling of hispanics that he can't seem to get over.
Sad, that our expectations are so low that if he does anything right people like Douthat are applauding.
It is another dumbing down of America but I guess Trump has to appeal to his constituents.
Sad, that our expectations are so low that if he does anything right people like Douthat are applauding.
It is another dumbing down of America but I guess Trump has to appeal to his constituents.
2
Mr. Douthat,
"The other — a more provisional win, but still a striking one — is the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border, seemingly driven more by the mere threat of tougher enforcement and increased deportations than by any dramatic policy shift."
Do you know what else has fallen off? Applications for HB1 visas; applications to American colleges and universities by foreign students, most of whom pay full tuition; and tourism.
This appears to be a net loss to me. Not a "provisional win."
The Loop Garoo Kid
"The other — a more provisional win, but still a striking one — is the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border, seemingly driven more by the mere threat of tougher enforcement and increased deportations than by any dramatic policy shift."
Do you know what else has fallen off? Applications for HB1 visas; applications to American colleges and universities by foreign students, most of whom pay full tuition; and tourism.
This appears to be a net loss to me. Not a "provisional win."
The Loop Garoo Kid
3
Trump deserves no credit for Gorsuch. He was given a list of white men from red states compiled by Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. He picked a name from this list (just as well, given that - left to his own devices - he selected the imbecile racist Sessions as Attorney General). Gorsuch was then installed through the machinations of Mitch McConnell, who first prevented Obama's nominee Merrick Garland from getting a hearing and then manipulated Senate rules to get Gorsuch appointed. Trump meanwhile spent his time tweeting and had substantially nothing to do with the appointment.
4
Trump is a loser and a fraud and a bad hombre and everyone who is not willfully ignorant has known that for years. The harm he will do will last for generations. Shame on all of us.
4
Well, at least we don't have a lot of free neutrons and gamma rays flying around. I am SOOOO relieved. Is this the Saturday edition?
2
The only reason we have not hit bottom is that with this administration there is no bottom.
4
Puhleez.
It's not enough to exist, Russ; we should be THRIVING as a nation.
"It could be worse." How? We could ALL have cancer and die?
It's not enough to exist, Russ; we should be THRIVING as a nation.
"It could be worse." How? We could ALL have cancer and die?
6
And have no health insurance. Don't worry, if millions die because they have no health insurance, it will help Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the deficit.
GO pro-life party. The babies have to be born but they will die with no health insurance.
GO pro-life party. The babies have to be born but they will die with no health insurance.
1
"It Could Be Worse". No Ross, is is already worse and getting worse as we speak. By the time Trump and his merry band of thieves finish robbing this country blind, then let's talk worse.
4
This guy is either foolish or just writing propaganda. I'd like to go back and read what he had to say about the possibility of a Clinton win.
3
What could be worse than Mar-a-Lago Presidential Apprentice Donnie Trump being the puppet dummy of master puppeteer ventriloquists like the 46% who voted Trump along with Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, James Comey, Julian Assange and the Confederate Dixie Kings aka Mitch McConnell, Rex Tillerson and Jeff Sessions.
There has been no curbing of illegal immigration by those evading criminal prosecution like Trump's German grandfather nor gold diggers like his Scottish mother and first and third wives. And the decent economy was the eight year gift of Barack Obama and his ability to pass major legislation. Gorsuch stole Garland's seat on SCOTUS.
It could be better if Trump were impeached, removed under the 25th Amendment or die in office followed by Pence doing likewise.
There has been no curbing of illegal immigration by those evading criminal prosecution like Trump's German grandfather nor gold diggers like his Scottish mother and first and third wives. And the decent economy was the eight year gift of Barack Obama and his ability to pass major legislation. Gorsuch stole Garland's seat on SCOTUS.
It could be better if Trump were impeached, removed under the 25th Amendment or die in office followed by Pence doing likewise.
4
Gorsuch's judgeship was stolen. He is a disgrace for accepting the nomination. Our Supreme Court has been rendered illegitimate.
The Trump Administration is likewise illegitimate. Any attempt to legitimize this absurd excuse for governance, is nauseating and pathetic. Could be worse? Could be worse? Good god man, get a grip.
The Trump Administration is likewise illegitimate. Any attempt to legitimize this absurd excuse for governance, is nauseating and pathetic. Could be worse? Could be worse? Good god man, get a grip.
7
I will take space in poking holes into each "good news" event. What I would say is no matter whether this list increases or decreases, at the end of the day or term in office, we have, a President who has deep character and psychological flaws, which, at some point in this roller coaster ride, will rear it's ugly head.
1
Of course it could be worse.
An asteroid could hit the earth, destroying all mammals.
An asteroid could hit the earth, destroying all mammals.
3
Wow, a very low bar indeed. We're lucky that our dear leader has severe ADD. Let's bomb Yemen, no let's bomb Syria. Let's kill everyone in Iran. No, let's get in a nuclear tiff with the other crazy weird guy. Health care first! No, taxes first. Oh well never mind. How about child care credits? This is hard! Who knew that this was going to be so hard? We don't need cabinet officials, they don't do anything any way. And by the way, Hillary is crooked and I won the electoral college. Have I told you about that? And Obama? No one cares what he thinks. Squirrel! This is hard. I'm going to Mar A Lago and play golf. Everyone there loves me. Jared will fix everything.
The thing that is really missed here is that Trump, heaven help him, does not come from a political background. So, to compare him to his predecessors is inherently false. Those who say that the bar is low, well guess what? Welcome to politics! It was never high to begin with.
You're right to say that he has no major accomplishment but Obama did and remember, it cost him the house and senate in every midterm. With a barely unified and functional GOP, for now it might be better that way, (considering most of you here hate the other party).
The most humbling thing 45 has said is how difficult the job is and at least I can respect his honesty in that realization. Not many manufactured politicians can say that.
To those who say it's worse, follow my example and stop consuming the vitriol that comes from the NYT and other outlets as if it's food. What a low bar if you need political analysts to tell you what to think. Use your common sense to sort through the facts.
There are many factual criticism to offer this new administration, however the NYT seems to think all is hell on earth, compared to the former. Stop being slanted in your reporting and try to be open minded.
But then, considering the bar is low on so many things, I wouldn't expect such liberality for 45 when the NYT was cheerleading HRC and cost Bernie the election, now would I?
You're right to say that he has no major accomplishment but Obama did and remember, it cost him the house and senate in every midterm. With a barely unified and functional GOP, for now it might be better that way, (considering most of you here hate the other party).
The most humbling thing 45 has said is how difficult the job is and at least I can respect his honesty in that realization. Not many manufactured politicians can say that.
To those who say it's worse, follow my example and stop consuming the vitriol that comes from the NYT and other outlets as if it's food. What a low bar if you need political analysts to tell you what to think. Use your common sense to sort through the facts.
There are many factual criticism to offer this new administration, however the NYT seems to think all is hell on earth, compared to the former. Stop being slanted in your reporting and try to be open minded.
But then, considering the bar is low on so many things, I wouldn't expect such liberality for 45 when the NYT was cheerleading HRC and cost Bernie the election, now would I?
1
It's funny how some of Ross Dothat's columns seem so reasonable--until you hit the inevitable head-scratcher whopper of a phrase or sentence. In this case, "For a time it looked as if his administration would have some reasonably competent people in its cabinet" will do. Who is he referring to? Ben Carson? Betsy DeVos? Rick Perry? The other cabinet heads who would like nothing more than to destroy the departments they've been appointed to oversee? And how is Neil Gorsuch's ascendance to the Supreme Court a "successful nomination"? First of all, how can a nomination be "successful"?Second, this was hardly a big achievement for Trump--the slot was stolen from Merrick Garland by the Republicans before he even got into office.
1
Really. The standard for nepotism and cutting your companies in on government spending ought not to be countenanced. Do you really want, "Get elected President and have the government fly you places and put money into your coffers."? We'll never have sound, independent leadership again.
The test of Dubya didn't come until September, 2001. Eight months of relative, "He's okay." Despite the faux 'WMD! WMD!" and Abu Ghraib, it took Katrina to show up the incompetence. The Financial Meltdown sealed it.
I am not going to breathe easy until the DJT Administration is in the history books. His know-nothing imaginings about how the gov't should work, how foreign relations works, how the economy works are all out of touch and harmful if carried to their logical ends.
The GOP stole Barack Obama's Supreme Court choice and stole the election through foreign and domestic tampering. When will the media cover it truthfully?
The test of Dubya didn't come until September, 2001. Eight months of relative, "He's okay." Despite the faux 'WMD! WMD!" and Abu Ghraib, it took Katrina to show up the incompetence. The Financial Meltdown sealed it.
I am not going to breathe easy until the DJT Administration is in the history books. His know-nothing imaginings about how the gov't should work, how foreign relations works, how the economy works are all out of touch and harmful if carried to their logical ends.
The GOP stole Barack Obama's Supreme Court choice and stole the election through foreign and domestic tampering. When will the media cover it truthfully?
1
Just relieved the economy hasn't tanked as I feared. Mr. Douthat, you are right about that so far, but there is still lots of time left in his term.
1
One big omission from this column -- the disastrous attack on the EPA and the rush headlong into allowing climate change and CO2 emission to gallop full speed ahead.
Yeah, we're grateful Trump and company haven't blown up the world -- yet. But the insane attack on environmental protection may make all of that -- and every point in this column -- moot.
Yeah, we're grateful Trump and company haven't blown up the world -- yet. But the insane attack on environmental protection may make all of that -- and every point in this column -- moot.
3
"No significant legislation has passed Congress"
Replace " No significant" with Zero and you have an accurate statement.
Replace " No significant" with Zero and you have an accurate statement.
2
The animus, xenophobia and bloodlust Trump tapped, pandered to and unleashed in unprecedented fashion are all still there, only resting now. Things like yelling BUILD THAT WALL and LOCK HER UP does take energy.
Saturday's rally will no doubt turn over a few of these rocks again.
Saturday's rally will no doubt turn over a few of these rocks again.
1
Al this would be great and indeed reason for dancing in the streets, if only we were talking about the leadership of a small to medium sized country that no-one pays much heed to.
Alas, alas, thrice alas, t'is the shining city on the hill, the champion of freedom and democracy we're talking about. The owner and thus far sole user of the most potent nuclear arsenal in recorded history.
So, I take small comfort from reading that the inability of the President of the United States to pass legislation or enact policy offsets the incompetence of the people drafting such legislation and formulating such policy.
One day, perhaps accidentally, something noxious will get enacted, a course of action will be embarked upon, and we'll all be toast.
Alas, alas, thrice alas, t'is the shining city on the hill, the champion of freedom and democracy we're talking about. The owner and thus far sole user of the most potent nuclear arsenal in recorded history.
So, I take small comfort from reading that the inability of the President of the United States to pass legislation or enact policy offsets the incompetence of the people drafting such legislation and formulating such policy.
One day, perhaps accidentally, something noxious will get enacted, a course of action will be embarked upon, and we'll all be toast.
1
Ross, where did you score that awesome weed you smoked before you wrote this piece, I need to try some to cope with Trump reality. Thanks mon!
3
What attacks on his legitimacy? By whom? When? Questioning his legitimacy is a useful exercise. I don't view that as an attack. He lies and his lies need to be published/watched/discussed.
Your column here is better than most. Just wish you would fully commit.
Your column here is better than most. Just wish you would fully commit.
2
Where are those sneaky Russians? They are busy trying to install their French puppet LePen in office. Russia lent her campaign millions, she praise sPutin and went to Russia to see him.
Wake up France, don't make our mistake of putting a Putin puppet in office. Russia is doing the same thing to all Western Democracies.
This is war and we need to fight back.
Wake up France, don't make our mistake of putting a Putin puppet in office. Russia is doing the same thing to all Western Democracies.
This is war and we need to fight back.
Ross conveniently ignores climate change. The awful positions of Trump and the GOP are leading us down a path of environmental catastrophe from which there will be no easy exit.
4
You forgot one additional benefit--late night comedy has never been funnier.
5
Talk about setting a low bar for success. Hooray! Washington D.C. is still standing. Trump hasn't burned the place to the ground. Of course, if he tried, he couldn't light the match and then would blame the match company.
1
This faint praise op-ed brings to mind a story attributed to former President Harry Truman as related by my late brother, Prof. Theodore Lowi, who played host to Truman as a Chubb Fellow at Yale many years ago. Told in the context of Truman's experiences in the senate hoping for some relief from the flatulent oratory of some colleagues, Truman recalled being holed up in an airless bunker during WWI with his platoon of stinking soldiers hoping for some relief. Presently, after a meal of beans, one of the soldiers expelled a loud fart to which another replied “thank god for a breath of fresh air.”
4
"It Could Be Worse"?
Really, Really?
The most corrupt administration in history!
Check!
Dangerous incompetents in most cabinet offices!
Check!
War-mongering with Russia, China, and North Korea--to distract from internal corruption?
Check!
Far-right wing judge conformed to Supreme Court--a favorite of a wight-wing mega-rich faux-libertarian (Robert Mercer)
Check!
What "could be worse"?
We could be at war...again... maybe 2 or 3 MORE wars...
We could have some major oil spills or toxic disasters...
We could have a major constitutional crisis, due to an illegal and corrupt seizure of power...
We could get more right-wing extremists on the Supreme court...
We could see utter suspensions of the law and due process by the likes of sessions and his gang...
We could see the Great Depression 2 that Bush almost caused--and which Obama had to fix up...
We could see more terrorism int he USA, Europe and elsewhere...
More nations of the world could spiral into disorder, violence, and chaos...
What's scary is that more of those "worse" developments are possible -- even likely -- in the near future!
A nation imploding at the peak of its influence and power? What could be *Worse* than that???
Really, Really?
The most corrupt administration in history!
Check!
Dangerous incompetents in most cabinet offices!
Check!
War-mongering with Russia, China, and North Korea--to distract from internal corruption?
Check!
Far-right wing judge conformed to Supreme Court--a favorite of a wight-wing mega-rich faux-libertarian (Robert Mercer)
Check!
What "could be worse"?
We could be at war...again... maybe 2 or 3 MORE wars...
We could have some major oil spills or toxic disasters...
We could have a major constitutional crisis, due to an illegal and corrupt seizure of power...
We could get more right-wing extremists on the Supreme court...
We could see utter suspensions of the law and due process by the likes of sessions and his gang...
We could see the Great Depression 2 that Bush almost caused--and which Obama had to fix up...
We could see more terrorism int he USA, Europe and elsewhere...
More nations of the world could spiral into disorder, violence, and chaos...
What's scary is that more of those "worse" developments are possible -- even likely -- in the near future!
A nation imploding at the peak of its influence and power? What could be *Worse* than that???
3
Could be worse? It is abysmal at the least and you are pleased that it could be worse? He did not accomplish putting Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, the republicans who blocked and refused to even consider Obama's choice did that. Jobs, he did not create that either, and his track record doesn't show that he will do anything to increase or even to keep the job pace steady. Immigration down because of the "Ban"? Nope, that's not his doing either. More and more are going across to Mexico than coming to USA. There's been a steady drop for some time. Not been faced with any challenge's domestic or foreign... South Korea? Sending, or not sending depending on who you ask, the Navy to the Korean Peninsula? Domestically, protest almost on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, all of which he either ignores or says that they are fake paid protests, just like the fake news that reports horrible, bad things about him. And let's not forget the rampant nepotism of instilling his daughter and son-in-law as 'unpaid', un-vetted members of his cabinet.
So yeah, 100 days in and it is a disaster and an embarrassment... and only 1,360 days for him to be even more abysmal and more embarrassing.
So yeah, 100 days in and it is a disaster and an embarrassment... and only 1,360 days for him to be even more abysmal and more embarrassing.
3
I have colleagues, friends & family in Singapore: we are all hoping Trump can be stopped by the Houses. However, I fear that if his final week towards the 100th day mark is as disastrous as his first weeks in office, he will try to declare war against North Korea.
If war goes ahead, the author should expect anti-Trump hysteria levels to hit record highs worldwide. But hey, even so, I guess there will always be something some people - especially some of his donors active in the security/military sectors - can be glad about.
We should be past trying to see the bright side and well into trying to find ways Trump can be stopped just short of the 2-year deadline when Houses change.
If war goes ahead, the author should expect anti-Trump hysteria levels to hit record highs worldwide. But hey, even so, I guess there will always be something some people - especially some of his donors active in the security/military sectors - can be glad about.
We should be past trying to see the bright side and well into trying to find ways Trump can be stopped just short of the 2-year deadline when Houses change.
2
The fact that you are breathing sighs of relief speaks to the degree you expected wholesale destruction at Trump's hands, even as you cheer-lead for his minimal record of 100-day-long achievement, such as it is. What you don't address is the degree to which he has promoted his own personal interests at the expense of the American public. You ignore the ongoing effects on the economy of President Obama's administration's policies; none of which have had anything to do with Trump. You, also, ignore the degree to which his fits of pique on the Internet and television have eroded the standards of dignity, decency, credibility and behavioral probity that have been associated, traditionally and rightly, with the office he occupies. His lack of regard for the ways that his impulsive behavior, and his hypocrisy, as well as, his mercurial changes of mind impact the rest of the world's perception are appalling. His sheer ignorance of the workings of our government, its structure and function, our history and his utter unwillingness to learn about it, thereby handicapping its ability to serve the needs of the 320 million people he swore an oath to serve, protect and defend, are abominations unto themselves. I never was and never will be a fan of George W. Bush because of the extraordinary, ongoing damage his Presidency did to this country, but he was a statesman on the order of Benjamin Disreali compared to the current poser in the White House.
3
Wow, Ross!
I wish you and your fellow Republicans would have graded Obama on that same Bell Curve.
Sad.
I wish you and your fellow Republicans would have graded Obama on that same Bell Curve.
Sad.
7
A prediction here - without an iota of glee, I swear - of PT's being rendered livid to the point of apoplexy, on being advised of the substance of Mr Douthat's assessment of the first 100 days and of his unblinking candor. Another prediction, of this column's vaulting its author into the post position in the race for the "telling truth to power" award in the 21st Century.
Footnote: apoplexy by some definitions will not have occurred unless the event lasts longer than 24 hours. Thus, we'll need to know the pertinent times to PT before making any report final.
Footnote: apoplexy by some definitions will not have occurred unless the event lasts longer than 24 hours. Thus, we'll need to know the pertinent times to PT before making any report final.
if this is good news, my goodness, how far the bar has been lowered!
4
And fourth, the world hasn't been destroyed in a nuclear war. Yet.
5
Do you know why it isn't worse? Because the courts, the press, the citizen organizers, the Democrats, and the anti-Trump Republicans have spoken out and uncovered information and taken action. And have got to keep doing it. "Not getting worse" is not something that happens on its own.
7
Mr. Douthat is at his best here trying to put a good face on a situation. Ironic, he lauds Trumpcare's failure to get off out of the starting gate and the toning down of protectionist and isolationist rhetoric from the White House as even more good news.
So, Ross Douthat fans, good luck with your cheery "It could be worse" news.
So, Ross Douthat fans, good luck with your cheery "It could be worse" news.
1
Trump is a textbook case of a narcissistic sociopathological liar amoral imbecilic con artist. He's also a probable closet Russian Agent owned by Putin. It could be worse? How? Trump, given all his conflicts of interest, should have been impeached a long time ago. The gutless contemptible Congressional Republicans are traitors for not doing so.
5
My, how we've lowered the bar.
4
Yes, it could be worse. Pence could be President.
4
No new legislation is music to my ears given its implication for small business planning, no new taxes, and no new government programs. If Trump could appoint my governor (Malloy) to some nondescript and unimportant post in the federal system to get him out of my debt-mired state, that would be ideal. In 100 days, not a single thing has changed in my daily life of working as much as possible, raising a family to the best of my ability, and enjoying free moments during time off. Life goes on for those of us not getting paid $400K for Wall Street speeches, no matter what goes on in Washington or elsewhere with the "elite" of all political stripes in this country.
"thus far the anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
I'd have mentioned the madness that swept through our politics via the Tea Party, since the "madness" you referred in earlier times was a sensible public response to the pollution crisis, the civil rights crisis, the Viet Nam war and the paranoid presidency of Nixon.
But yes, the current situation could have been worse.
I'd have mentioned the madness that swept through our politics via the Tea Party, since the "madness" you referred in earlier times was a sensible public response to the pollution crisis, the civil rights crisis, the Viet Nam war and the paranoid presidency of Nixon.
But yes, the current situation could have been worse.
1
Mr Douthat forgot to mention that so far Trump has not started a nuclear war.
We must give him credit for that. Not a small accomplishment.
We must give him credit for that. Not a small accomplishment.
1
Give the media another month. When they start running those articles themed "That Nutty Trump!", you'll be better able to gauge our progress on this highway to hell.
1
You can put as much lipstick on this pig as you want, but it's still going to be the same old Donald Trump. This man is incompetence personified.
7
A sad statement about the level of intellectual competence accepted as a qualification for elevation to the office of President of the USA. One is left to wonder whether Trump's poor command of the English language or his impetuous utterances on matters of high policy will ultimately lead the country into disaster.
Plus he doesnt drool yet in public. So all good, no worries at all.
3
So it only took 96 days to go from 'Make America great again' to 'It could be worse'? Funny, I don't think "president" Trump will put that on his hats any time soon. And what can we expect for the next 96 days, Mr. Douthat? Can't wait to find out on the title of the piece you'll write on July 31.
3
Domestic accomplishments of President Carter:
Created two new cabinet-level departments: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education
Established a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology
Took measures to improve the environment through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and the Superfund Act, which is designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances
Espoused a process of bureaucratic streamlining and was responsible for deregulating the airline, trucking, rail, communications, and finance industries
Foreign policy accomplishments of President Carter:
Strongly promoted human rights during his tenure and initiated the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaties, and the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II)
Clean air, clean water, solar energy initiatives, Middle East Peace Accords, superfund cleanup, lowered the speed limit to 55 and thereby saved thousands of lives each year in highway death tolls, promoted science only modern President to ESTABLISH 2 IMPORTANT DEPARTMENTS; Education and Energy. He got all of that through Congress in 4 years. Do some homework before you grace us with your supreme wisdom. Critical thinking worshippers better with facts at hand and an open mind.
Created two new cabinet-level departments: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education
Established a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology
Took measures to improve the environment through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and the Superfund Act, which is designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances
Espoused a process of bureaucratic streamlining and was responsible for deregulating the airline, trucking, rail, communications, and finance industries
Foreign policy accomplishments of President Carter:
Strongly promoted human rights during his tenure and initiated the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaties, and the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II)
Clean air, clean water, solar energy initiatives, Middle East Peace Accords, superfund cleanup, lowered the speed limit to 55 and thereby saved thousands of lives each year in highway death tolls, promoted science only modern President to ESTABLISH 2 IMPORTANT DEPARTMENTS; Education and Energy. He got all of that through Congress in 4 years. Do some homework before you grace us with your supreme wisdom. Critical thinking worshippers better with facts at hand and an open mind.
2
I won't say that Ross Douthat is grasping at straws, but he had to squint to see the silver lining in Trump's Presidency.
2
Can we set the bar any lower? Trump's accomplishments, laid out here by Mr. Douthat:
The Obama era expansion continues (nothing traceable to Trump)
Failure to produce anything of value re health care--although he did support legislation hated by 87% of voters
Slight propensity to temper appointment of fools, knaves and scoundrels, and know-nothings to important govt. positions
Gorsuch--whew, that was a tough one
And--big headline--liberals NOT completely unhinged. This contradicts most of the reportage from the right but tell me please--how does this count as a victory for Trump?
If this is the best we can conjure up, why write a piece informing us of the "good news".
The Obama era expansion continues (nothing traceable to Trump)
Failure to produce anything of value re health care--although he did support legislation hated by 87% of voters
Slight propensity to temper appointment of fools, knaves and scoundrels, and know-nothings to important govt. positions
Gorsuch--whew, that was a tough one
And--big headline--liberals NOT completely unhinged. This contradicts most of the reportage from the right but tell me please--how does this count as a victory for Trump?
If this is the best we can conjure up, why write a piece informing us of the "good news".
2
Oh we should be so happy. Right now we are okay. The planet has not been destroyed for future generations.... yet. Women still have the right to choose.... for the near future. Our schools have not all been privatized......for the moment. And we still live in a democracy....... well a Russian run one that is. Ross you are out to lunch on this one. The "look at the bright side" just doesn't sell well when you look at the facts.
2
So... he is evil but stupid... and we should be thankful for the stupid part.
How about making America great again by electing decent people?
How about making America great again by electing decent people?
3
The Gorsuch appointment is not a win for Trump. It was a win for McConnell and the rest of the Senate Republicans. They broke with all tradition to hold a seat on the Supreme Court open for almost a year. It was also a win for the Federalist Society which has been grooming potential judges for years. Trump had little to do with it all, but to pick a name off a list.
3
Wow. I never thought I'd see the day when things were great because the President hasn't yet screwed up the economy, hasn't yet gotten us into a shooting war and hasn't yet been impeached. But it's ok, because the entire country has not yet turned into Kansas. Glad to hear about the other 1360 days, Ross. Your worst fears may yet come to pass. But so may mine.
2
Quite a low bar - 100 days and he hasn't broken it beyond repair. Meanwhile, Trump sets new records in vacation time spent at his resorts, in taxpayer support of his remote family in NYC, and in judicial defeats. His sole legislative goals are to take healthcare away from millions, build a wall that everyone along the border hates, and propose a massive additional wealth transfer based on a failed economic model that was a disaster when tried in Louisiana and Kansas. We should all hope that Trump and the Republicans continue to fail, because winning for them is a disaster for America.
2
Perhaps he will succeed in destroying the GOP once and for all.
God save America!
God save America!
In these pages today we read one republican scribe describing t rump and his so called agenda as the reincarnation of Coolidge and Hoover and the excitement of returning to Age of Robber Barrons and the Great Republican Depression and another scribe who says; Well it could be a lot worse.
According to Beauregard Sessions the only right republicans are going to allow the states themselves to determine will be the reintroduction of slavery, the overarming of its citizens, and the right to drive its economy and its citizens into bankruptcy (Kansas).
The size of the Federal government will shrink small enough that it will fit inside a woman's uterus but the military industrial complex shall be allowed to grow big enough to swallow what is left of our democracy.
As a democrat I am waiting for republicans to be returned to wandering in the desert while we take revenge for what they have wrought these last few decades. As an America I am waiting for a return to common sense and a realistic view of science.
According to Beauregard Sessions the only right republicans are going to allow the states themselves to determine will be the reintroduction of slavery, the overarming of its citizens, and the right to drive its economy and its citizens into bankruptcy (Kansas).
The size of the Federal government will shrink small enough that it will fit inside a woman's uterus but the military industrial complex shall be allowed to grow big enough to swallow what is left of our democracy.
As a democrat I am waiting for republicans to be returned to wandering in the desert while we take revenge for what they have wrought these last few decades. As an America I am waiting for a return to common sense and a realistic view of science.
2
Good right-of-center legislation under Trump may be a pipe dream? The problem is less Trump and more the horrible Republican Congressional delegation. Agreed, Trump is a fundamentally weak, incompetent president. Even if he were not, the Republican Congress wants government to be ineffective, and ultimately would be his biggest problem.
1
OK, Mr. Douthat is clearly auditioning for the "moderate, reasonable Republican" slot now that Bret Stephens from the WSJ is coming to the NYT and will indeed make Mr. Douthat look like a moderate, reasonable Republican - which he's really not.
You can tell this is an audition because Mr. Douthat, for probably the first time ever, just criticized a Paul Ryan healthcare policy - and gave a backhanded compliment to the ACA (though his "moderate, reasonable Republicans" gutted the ACA in Congress from the get-go, with Mr. Douthat's full endorsement). Paul Ryan acolytes like Mr. Douthat never criticize The Wonk Who Should Be President. But "moderate, reasonable Republicans" do criticize Paul Ryan - you know, say, once a year? Audition!
But for those wondering if this is really Mr. Douthat, notice he calls our real lives "the Trump experiment" - and notice he still manages to throw some shade at 92-year-old Democrat - and Nobel Peace Prize winner - President Jimmy Carter there at the end.
It's still him! He'll be back!
You can tell this is an audition because Mr. Douthat, for probably the first time ever, just criticized a Paul Ryan healthcare policy - and gave a backhanded compliment to the ACA (though his "moderate, reasonable Republicans" gutted the ACA in Congress from the get-go, with Mr. Douthat's full endorsement). Paul Ryan acolytes like Mr. Douthat never criticize The Wonk Who Should Be President. But "moderate, reasonable Republicans" do criticize Paul Ryan - you know, say, once a year? Audition!
But for those wondering if this is really Mr. Douthat, notice he calls our real lives "the Trump experiment" - and notice he still manages to throw some shade at 92-year-old Democrat - and Nobel Peace Prize winner - President Jimmy Carter there at the end.
It's still him! He'll be back!
7
I mistakenly assumed the title of this piece was sarcastic. Wow. Ross Douthat really has completely lost it.
5
A sad commentary on the times and a fitting epitaph for Trump, "It Could be Worse". Robert Kennedy once said that "every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves... ", and we have ours in Trump. I thought the bar was low in the past, with Reagan, Quayle, Palin and George W., but every time you think the Republicans have hit rock bottom, they come up with another person intent on celebrating ignorance. The sad part is that we will be trying to correct all of the damage Trump does for the next twenty years, just as we did with Reagan and his deregulation that was greatly responsible for the 2008 financial collapse in the world. It never ends.
5
And we thought Nixon was trying to destroy our democracy. Trump just knocked him out as the worst president in our history. Way to go lying and thieving donnie.
People keep saying Goresuch is a "win" for Trump.
No! It's a "steal"!
No! It's a "steal"!
11
"The other win ......is the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border, seemingly driven more by the mere threat of tougher enforcement and increased deportations than by any dramatic policy shift".
Would you want to come to this country if you were Mexican, or Muslim for that matter? Not with this POTUS! If making the USA a less welcoming and inclusive country is considered a real achievement, than DONALD gets the GOLD STAR, BLUE RIBBON and OSCAR, all in one
Would you want to come to this country if you were Mexican, or Muslim for that matter? Not with this POTUS! If making the USA a less welcoming and inclusive country is considered a real achievement, than DONALD gets the GOLD STAR, BLUE RIBBON and OSCAR, all in one
1
I am actually pleased and surprised that Ross supports Obamacare, or at least, understands that it's better than NO health coverage, which is what the Republicans tried to impose on us.
1
See how good it feels to quit banging your head against the wall. Indeed, the sky did not fall - yet. This does emphasize how thankful we might be for a continuation of the status quo. A happiness that resides in NOT keeping promises our President made. Thank you. An ineptness in the first 100 days may be a blessing in some disguise. Should this ineptness and resultant DELAY in action be praised and facilitated? I would say yes. Delay Health Care change, tax reform, wall building, war, tearing up of Iran deal, rape of the environment, ending of public schooling, dismantling anything Obama, and making the rich much much richer. Delay those things. Please, give me the status quo that existed before Trump - at least for a few more years. I will forgive him for the promises he did not keep.
1
And yet....
Our President is still a fool.
Our President is still a fool.
7
That Emperor Donnie is INCOMPETENT qualities as a plus? In what alternative universe? Yes, it is better than if he were a capable malign person as compared to an egotistical fool who has no clue how to get anything done. Nevertheless, it is not "good." We have lots of problems that we need to solve, rather than wasting years spinning our wheels while the rest of the world makes progress.
3
Your column helps understand why Trump won the election: Many voters thought, "Things are very bad for me and my family and community. How could he make them any worse? At least he's different."
Still, Trump voters didn't say, "I'm voting for him so he will make things the same or worse." And now they say, "100 days isn't a lot of time, so maybe he can still make things better."
But I see no sign that he can or knows how or really wants to. In times like these, with the problems facing our country, limiting the harm is not the achievement government should be aiming for.
Still, Trump voters didn't say, "I'm voting for him so he will make things the same or worse." And now they say, "100 days isn't a lot of time, so maybe he can still make things better."
But I see no sign that he can or knows how or really wants to. In times like these, with the problems facing our country, limiting the harm is not the achievement government should be aiming for.
2
Ross, you omitted one of Trump's early, signature achievements--something positive that Barack Obama was unable to do. And that is creating majority support for the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare). Through threats and bluster and his typical clownishness, Trump has made a large swath of the public appreciate the heath care environment that Obama created and to udnerstand what a huge step forward the ACA really was. Obama was always too self-effacing to boast about it. BTW, "It could be worse" is really a ringing endorsement for GOP rule, isn't it. Truly, it would be worse if the GOP were more competent.
9
Translation: the Trump administration can be tentatively deemed a success so far because the stock market hasn't crashed and we aren't yet in World War III.
This article is a brilliant case study in the "soft bigotry of low expectations." We can expect to see a lot more of this type of analysis as the Trump administration continues to lurch and bump along.
This article is a brilliant case study in the "soft bigotry of low expectations." We can expect to see a lot more of this type of analysis as the Trump administration continues to lurch and bump along.
3
Trump hasn't destroyed the planet, yet. I feel so good that we still have some time to enjoy life, even if we don't know how much. Lovely.
6
Don't worry Ross - it will be worse.
7
Lower taxes, fewer illegals, stock market soaring. I'd say that's a win. With a GOP controlled House and Senate, Hillary would have accomplished zero.
Yeah- get back to us when Seattle goes under water from the melting glaciers or if NK nukes the west coast- which ever comes first. You might not think your so called tax cut wins trump the very real existential threats we face.
2
Douthat omits the one word most essential to any assessment of these first 100 days: Russia. The removal of Flynn and the acknowledgement of an ongoing FBI investigation into the President's possible illegal collusion with a hostile power will, when we look back on this time, prove to be the most significant features of these painful first 100 days.
3
So, if I read this correctly, all the good he has done is by doing nothing. I'll take it for another 1,360 days..go play golf.
4
I suppose it could be worse -- Flynn could still be there and Bannon would continue to be the primary adviser. On the other hand, we have Jarivanka "running" the country (with no experience whatsoever in anything relevant), a corrupt and incompetent cabinet (except for Mattis), and a tweeting scrotus who has no idea how to govern or even form a complete and coherent sentence.
The primary saving grace is the fact that Congress is so dysfunctional that they have basically become ineffective and useless, and scrotus has no idea how to even begin to put together legislation. Hopefully, they will continue to remain as ineffective as possible until 2018 (at the earliest) or 2020 (at the latest).
The primary saving grace is the fact that Congress is so dysfunctional that they have basically become ineffective and useless, and scrotus has no idea how to even begin to put together legislation. Hopefully, they will continue to remain as ineffective as possible until 2018 (at the earliest) or 2020 (at the latest).
4
100 days is enough to show what you can do. Donald has shown he's incompetent. He needs to step down.
7
I read elsewhere that the decline in illegal immigration did not begin with Trump, but has been ongoing since 3008. http://portside.org/2017-04-25/making-sense-deportation-debate
1
Yes, like telling all the passengers on the Titanic that the good news is, there are still plenty of bottles of booze left, and the handrails are still attached.
6
Almost everything Trump wants to do can be easily blocked (at least for a time) in the courts. Thankfully, he's so incompetent that no one has standing to file suit because, despite the Executive Orders and photo ops, there are neither the staff or the knowledge of how to actually do the idiotic things he orders up. Maybe this is what passes for success in todays body politic...a president delightfully incompetent making a fool of himself on a daily basis with no real harm done. The founders would be appalled but we, their ungrateful heirs get to survive the greatest challenge to our country in over two centuries.
1
Just to note that that some folks who do not follow politics closely might skip over your ironic twist and believe that Newt Gingrich was or is now "Secretary of State"
1
It not only could be worse it will be and it's getting there every single day unless this ignorant thug is impeached. Why is it that we always wait till things become intolerably worse till we actually wake up and do something. In a very short time these could be looking like the halcyon days!
3
Who'd you vote for in November 2016, Ross?
You say that the Republican congress has introduced "bad legislation" and "lousy bills" that fail to contribute to the "common good."
Let's be even more precise. Ryan's bill for replacing the ACA, legislation supported by Donald Trump, was messy, merciless, macho, incoherent, and ignorant. Yet Trump was angry, and thirsty for vengeance, when that bad bill didn't pass because failure might hurt his ratings in the polls.
Why would you go through this excercise ... trying to pick out silver linings in an awful administration and
a Republican regime you call incompetent? Think needle. Think haystack.
And you rejoice that liberals aren't protesting in the streets? But they are. They have. And those of us who lived through the Vietnam War and had friends and cousins destroyed by it are working behind the scenes ... organizing.
Time to find a nice cathedral, get down on your knees, and search your soul. The Republican Party you've supported for many years is heartless. Unkind. Unsympathetic. Greedy. Powered by racism and the great, strong desire to control women and dictate rules to punish those who "stray."
Who'd you vote for again?
You say that the Republican congress has introduced "bad legislation" and "lousy bills" that fail to contribute to the "common good."
Let's be even more precise. Ryan's bill for replacing the ACA, legislation supported by Donald Trump, was messy, merciless, macho, incoherent, and ignorant. Yet Trump was angry, and thirsty for vengeance, when that bad bill didn't pass because failure might hurt his ratings in the polls.
Why would you go through this excercise ... trying to pick out silver linings in an awful administration and
a Republican regime you call incompetent? Think needle. Think haystack.
And you rejoice that liberals aren't protesting in the streets? But they are. They have. And those of us who lived through the Vietnam War and had friends and cousins destroyed by it are working behind the scenes ... organizing.
Time to find a nice cathedral, get down on your knees, and search your soul. The Republican Party you've supported for many years is heartless. Unkind. Unsympathetic. Greedy. Powered by racism and the great, strong desire to control women and dictate rules to punish those who "stray."
Who'd you vote for again?
2
The only reason the market hasn't tanked and is, in fact, up is that they are still waiting for the promised largesse from this Gilded Age plutocrat. Just a bit longer wait and I predict the market will take a nosedive as many cash out. Watch the smart money and get ready to suffer.
And they are nearing agreement with the Fascist - er - Freedom caucus on the healthcare question. Expect more pain for the little people who voted for Trump.
Yes, it could be worse - the inevitable mess that this bull in a china shop is making will come home to roost in due time. Soon, Bigly.
And they are nearing agreement with the Fascist - er - Freedom caucus on the healthcare question. Expect more pain for the little people who voted for Trump.
Yes, it could be worse - the inevitable mess that this bull in a china shop is making will come home to roost in due time. Soon, Bigly.
1
No Ross, it couldn't be worse. Mr. Trump is not, and never was a serious choice for POTUS. He was never going to make America "great" again.
He is incompetent.
He is ignorant.
He is without empathy.
He is incurious.
He is quasi if not completely un-read.
He is a cheat and a liar.
He is a bully.
He thinks he's king.
The fact that millions of Americans would vote for or support such a "person" reveals a deep cultural rot in the U.S.
He is incompetent.
He is ignorant.
He is without empathy.
He is incurious.
He is quasi if not completely un-read.
He is a cheat and a liar.
He is a bully.
He thinks he's king.
The fact that millions of Americans would vote for or support such a "person" reveals a deep cultural rot in the U.S.
5
Your are right, Ross. Crazy pants Trump has not yet started a nuclear war so we are not all dead yet. So yay. 1,360 days to go.
4
This is how frogs in a pot get cooked...incrementally...by yielding to the "it could be worse" thinking...getting used to insanity...overlooking many of the things that used to make us distinguished as Americans...bowing to the great God money above all other Gods (yes, I mean you, Mr. Douthat...) confusing things said frequently with the truth...substituting power for integrity.
*Croak*
*Croak*
3
Civil unrest is perhaps one thing that has kept the first 100 days from being worse. Grab your pitch forks and torches and keep marching. Vive la
Re'sistance!
See you on n D.C. This Saturday at people's march for the enviornment
Re'sistance!
See you on n D.C. This Saturday at people's march for the enviornment
4
I guess since we haven't devolved into a Russian oligarch yet things aren't too bad....
A mighty low bar Ross. Mighty low.
A mighty low bar Ross. Mighty low.
4
Give it time. It's only been 100 days so there's plenty of time yet for him to kill the environment, the economy, the working class, enrich the rich and or kill us all.
1
Let me sum up Ross's piece. We have drunk poison and haven't yet died.
18
A thin gruel....
3
How delicious that you are forced to admit the victories of president obama and are relieved they so far still stand.
8
Yes, it could be worse. Don't worry, Mr. Douthat----the sociopath-in-chief still has plenty of time to find many ways to make it worse.
2
Don't worry he has not started a nuclear war or moved to disolve Congress. Is not that bad. Even lefties have shown some restrain.
What are you smoking?
What are you smoking?
1
Yeah, it could be worse. It's only Trump's complete and utter incompetence that has slowed that down.
1) Yeah, he hasn't killed the Obama econ growth surge, tho he's he's tried and it's slowed--job growth in March was half what had been predicted.
2) The AHCA failed & its replacement will fail. Still Trump& the GOP haven't figured out that FIXING the ACA and calling it the AHCA is the only path short of single-payer.
3) WHAT "personal choices" have improved? That he's relying more on illegal nepotism than crazies for advice? Bannon, Gorka, & Miller are still there, BTW, as are DeVos, Price, Carson, Perry, Sessions, et al. Only Flynn is out.
4) So the Econ Advisers aren't as daft as Gingrich--Low bar, very low bar!
5) OK, Mattis and McMaster are still the only adults in the room despite the Vinson debacle.
6) It would be hard to find a colder corporate puppet than Gorsuch, who believes an employing can be fired for refusing to DIE for his employer. Somehow, Trump found someone WORSE than Scalia.
7) "rapid fall off of border crossings" is a GOP myth. Obama cut crossings so much more illegals were leaving than entering.
8) Not fallen into madness? From the moment he claimed giant crowds on Jan20, on it's been nothing but madness. You're just numb.
9) He's failed to roll back civil rights as much as he wants, & failed to implement one man rule. OK. That's good.
10) He hasn't YET started WWIII but we're closer.
It's really, really bad. Unless stopped, it WILL get worse.
1) Yeah, he hasn't killed the Obama econ growth surge, tho he's he's tried and it's slowed--job growth in March was half what had been predicted.
2) The AHCA failed & its replacement will fail. Still Trump& the GOP haven't figured out that FIXING the ACA and calling it the AHCA is the only path short of single-payer.
3) WHAT "personal choices" have improved? That he's relying more on illegal nepotism than crazies for advice? Bannon, Gorka, & Miller are still there, BTW, as are DeVos, Price, Carson, Perry, Sessions, et al. Only Flynn is out.
4) So the Econ Advisers aren't as daft as Gingrich--Low bar, very low bar!
5) OK, Mattis and McMaster are still the only adults in the room despite the Vinson debacle.
6) It would be hard to find a colder corporate puppet than Gorsuch, who believes an employing can be fired for refusing to DIE for his employer. Somehow, Trump found someone WORSE than Scalia.
7) "rapid fall off of border crossings" is a GOP myth. Obama cut crossings so much more illegals were leaving than entering.
8) Not fallen into madness? From the moment he claimed giant crowds on Jan20, on it's been nothing but madness. You're just numb.
9) He's failed to roll back civil rights as much as he wants, & failed to implement one man rule. OK. That's good.
10) He hasn't YET started WWIII but we're closer.
It's really, really bad. Unless stopped, it WILL get worse.
6
Your argument is that if anything, the first 100 days of an utterly failed Republican administration proves that the GOP can't do much damage, no matter how hard it tries. Even with Tweets!
How reassuring.
Meanwhile, the general public is aware of retired generals -- thanks to Youtube -- primarily as the sources of delusional (but colorful!) reports on their experiences with extra-terrestrials, and their sightings of UFOs. In short, our foreign policy and all the weaponry it supports is likely under the control of the insane as well.
Great!
We can withstand 3 months of incompetence and insanity; I'm not sure we can go even a year with it, though.
Finally, your sanguine assessment of the peaceful, sheep-like compliance of the masses with the state of things as they are may make you feel better, but it is, in fact, likely just more right-wing delusion.
You have no idea what's coming next.
Neither does anyone else, but it's not likely to be more of the same, however you might want to take reassurance in that fantasy.
The powder kegs are actually still legion, at home and worldwide; hard to tell which match lit where will set it all off, probably once and for all.
But it's only going to take one.
How reassuring.
Meanwhile, the general public is aware of retired generals -- thanks to Youtube -- primarily as the sources of delusional (but colorful!) reports on their experiences with extra-terrestrials, and their sightings of UFOs. In short, our foreign policy and all the weaponry it supports is likely under the control of the insane as well.
Great!
We can withstand 3 months of incompetence and insanity; I'm not sure we can go even a year with it, though.
Finally, your sanguine assessment of the peaceful, sheep-like compliance of the masses with the state of things as they are may make you feel better, but it is, in fact, likely just more right-wing delusion.
You have no idea what's coming next.
Neither does anyone else, but it's not likely to be more of the same, however you might want to take reassurance in that fantasy.
The powder kegs are actually still legion, at home and worldwide; hard to tell which match lit where will set it all off, probably once and for all.
But it's only going to take one.
2
Who needs a match when the twit-n-chief has MOAB's and cruise missiles, or grossly more than the functional equivalence of a flame thrower to match for the analogy. His pavlovian conditioning to bomb and kill when confronted with bad press, pending real facts that confirm his incompetent treason or simply that someone or something is receiving attention is the reality of the moment. So, yes it will get worse.
2
Ah, yes, things to be grateful for:
1. Obama did a great job and that has carried over.
2. The Rs are too incompetent to pass the legislation they have been promising to pass for 6 years
3. Trump is smart enough to know that he's been Bannon's and Flynn's sucker and he's wised up a bit. His personelle choices aren't bad, but his personal choices, i.e. to speak and tweet, are horrendous.
4. He finished up the heist of the of the Supreme Court seat. Congrats! And fewer than a net reduction in illegal immigrants are in the US. Bravo!
5. Liberals are more mature and responsible than the amateurs that voted Trump in would have been.
1. Obama did a great job and that has carried over.
2. The Rs are too incompetent to pass the legislation they have been promising to pass for 6 years
3. Trump is smart enough to know that he's been Bannon's and Flynn's sucker and he's wised up a bit. His personelle choices aren't bad, but his personal choices, i.e. to speak and tweet, are horrendous.
4. He finished up the heist of the of the Supreme Court seat. Congrats! And fewer than a net reduction in illegal immigrants are in the US. Bravo!
5. Liberals are more mature and responsible than the amateurs that voted Trump in would have been.
5
"It could always be worse" is a favorite saying in Russia - Russians who suffered under Czars, Lenin, Stalin, Putin. I don't know that I have ever read a more depressing column - it's sickening what is happening to my beloved country. Sickening.
5
OMG, Please do not make this situation in normal. It is not. It never will be.
Every kid does not deserve a trophy. This president and his admin are an unmitigated disaster.
The pink elephant is the dire crisis of the breakdown of society at this present moment, as we are being robbed blind, suffocated and poisoned to death.
Every kid does not deserve a trophy. This president and his admin are an unmitigated disaster.
The pink elephant is the dire crisis of the breakdown of society at this present moment, as we are being robbed blind, suffocated and poisoned to death.
1
"It could be worse. Really, it could."
Yes, it could: for instance, we could be dropping bombs on North Korea. But do not underestimate our commander-in-chief. Who knows what will pop into his head tomorrow?
Yes, it could: for instance, we could be dropping bombs on North Korea. But do not underestimate our commander-in-chief. Who knows what will pop into his head tomorrow?
4
Oh, but it could be worse. Mike Pence could be President. Few people recognize what will happen if Trump is removed from office. "Après moi, le déluge" ...
4
Gee i feel so much better now - even though we still have the abomination in the White House, we can be thankful for 1. jobs (that he did not create), 2. Obamacare (that he did not create), 3. a few of his scary, lying, like-minded cronies being demoted, 4. Gorsuch (by nuclear option), and fewer illegals (a crazy reactionary immature incompetent threatening adult is a scary prospect to most sane people worldwide), and 5. that we (the resistance) are acting responsibly. We're face to face with a lunatic holding a loaded gun, we don't really know what he is thinking and wonder if he does, we are afraid, trying to peacefully navigate through the minefield of this presidency, and have high hopes for some salvation in November 2018.
4
Hey give him time. It's only been 100 days. He has over 3 years to make it worse.
3
"It could be worse" has a more famous context. In "Young Frankenstein," Igor and Dr. Frankenstein are exhuming a body to make the monster. "What a nasty business this is," says Dr. Frankenstein. Igor replies, "It could be worse." Dr. Frankenstein retorts, "How?" Igor says, "Could be raining." Cue the lightning and a downpour.
Hey, Ross, got an umbrella?
Hey, Ross, got an umbrella?
5
The Trump induced craziness has certainly gripped the NYTs. Even as Trump follows the NYTs wildly inaccurate reporting about Russia, Ukraine and Syria and unleashes and unprovoked attack on Syria the NYTs excoriates him for not having a plan for regime change. The stock market seems to be poised for a irrational exuberance fed super nova. People's medical care for tax cuts for the wealthy is a typical Republican trade off. The news medias burgeoning obsession with Ivanka Trump bodes well for sales of her merchandise. Trump's ghastly ascent to the presidency through the electoral college has placed a dishonest charlatan poised to lead the country into blunderous dangerous circumstances.
2
Indeed! Let's celebrate and pray that the "president" accomplishes nothing.
5
The best,-or rather worst--is yet to come. ...In my humble hopes and dreams, by this time next year, the oval office will be Trump-less, related to either mental stability or treason charges.
3
Talk about whistling past the graveyard!
1
Yes count me as one of the thankful that Trump and his insipid staff around him are as incompetent as they are. Also...Whose ever idea it was to invite Sarah Palin, Ted Nugent and Kid Rock to the White House so that Trump could have a play day with playmates should be applauded also. The more days occupied this way by Trump the better off the country will be. Sad...but true.
4
Sorry Ross, but your column reads like something that the Captain of the Titanic would have told his passengers after hitting the iceberg.
5
Great Ross, Trump hasn't yet wrecked the family car. Let's just give him more time, what could go wrong? Let's just set the bar so low a snake could jump over it. Give me a break. Our best hope is Trumps incompetence impeding his agenda.
3
The articles title smacks of whistling past the graveyard. Yet another bedte story for scared "conservatives" (that name doesn't really fir any more, they are much more reactionary than conservative at this point).
1
Mr. Douthat's piece seems to sum up what many interested observers already have concluded, that is, we have one branch of the government--the one that has the nuclear codes--headed up by an increasingly irrelevant idiot and competing cabals of sycophants, but incompetent enough to do no permanent or fatal damage. What a rosy scenario!
5
Mr. Douthat's analysis of Trump's performance damns him with faint praise. Trump has created conflict with none had existed. He has brought dishonor and chaos to the White House. He does not seem to have the temperment or ability to staff and run the Administration. The situation IS bad and will likely get worse.
3
Well, I suppose with Trump his sloth, ignorance, and narcissism are good attributes to have when coupled with a divided right wing. One can only imagine what this ship of fools might do if they ever figured out how to get their brain, hands, and feet to work in unison.
4
"as the self-styled 'resistance' likes to say."
The fact, Ross, is that the White House has been infiltrated by the Russian mafia. Think about that. Let it sink in. Admit it to yourself.
No, it could not be worse - and the "resistance" is the only thing patriots have at the moment.
The fact, Ross, is that the White House has been infiltrated by the Russian mafia. Think about that. Let it sink in. Admit it to yourself.
No, it could not be worse - and the "resistance" is the only thing patriots have at the moment.
10
What are you smoking? Women's health in the US and the world is being decimated, the air and water of this country are in peril , the education system is being led by a complete incompetent, the most recent seat on Supreme Court has been stolen, and the future of healthcare in this country is precarious. The list goes on and on. The USA is being run by a person who is unable to face the truth even when the facts speak for themselves and the Republicans in congress are outright cowards putting party over the good of the citizens.
9
What?? Wait a darn minute!! In an otherwise excellent column is the word 'demagogue' used as a transitive verb? As in "Trump's tendency to demagogue the issue"?
As a wise man once said; 'up with this we cannot put.'
Who proof-read this? Sarah Palin?
Mercy!
As a wise man once said; 'up with this we cannot put.'
Who proof-read this? Sarah Palin?
Mercy!
4
This is like the "in trouble" teenager saying "At least I am not doing ____(fill in the blank but something worse)". I never accepted the "at least I am not" justification raising my kids and I am not going to accept it as a rationalization for the President.
6
Another pathetic attempt at finding some shred of normalcy in the most dangerous, ignorant conman to whom the American people have ever stupidly handed the reins of power.
Please stop pretending that he has any semblance of a clue how to run our government or conduct foreign affairs (other than in a Moscow hotel room) and is not a clear and present danger to the country and the world !
At a time when the world is dangerously lurching toward right wing authoritarianism America needs a steady calm voice of reason to weather this rising storm.
Instead we have a blustering buffoon who can elevate any minor dispute into a major conflict at the drop of a hat !!
The title of the piece should be "It will get worse" !!
Please stop pretending that he has any semblance of a clue how to run our government or conduct foreign affairs (other than in a Moscow hotel room) and is not a clear and present danger to the country and the world !
At a time when the world is dangerously lurching toward right wing authoritarianism America needs a steady calm voice of reason to weather this rising storm.
Instead we have a blustering buffoon who can elevate any minor dispute into a major conflict at the drop of a hat !!
The title of the piece should be "It will get worse" !!
9
YES! And it probably will be. Have you seen the movie Boss Baby.
2
So, if I follow the argument correctly, we should be happy because:
1- Trump is too incompetent to get anything done, and that fabled deal maker is really an emperor with no clothes.
2- Crazy people in his employment are also too incompetent to actually grab real power and implement the type of policies that are sure to impoverish this country.
So, the best thing we have to look for is a White House that keeps on scaring people with crazy policy proposals (but which are dead on arrival after the mandatory period of nail biting provided by cable news networks).
Yes, it could be worse. But honestly, I wonder if it may become worse.
You see, the world out there is not waiting gently for the US to do something and react. The world changes. Crises happen. Things that require the US to react. And with an understaffed, feuding administration with at the helm an ignorant, incurious man that prides himself on being unpredictable and put forward his bravado, how do we know that actions taken won't land us in big trouble? You really think Mattis and McMaster will be able to neuter The Donald forever?
Domestically, the portrait isn't much better. Delays in adapting policies to evolving challenges may mean dire consequences. And then that doesn't even cover active sabotage of current policies, such as the threat to sink Obamacare via regulatory power. Which should be rightly called treason.
1- Trump is too incompetent to get anything done, and that fabled deal maker is really an emperor with no clothes.
2- Crazy people in his employment are also too incompetent to actually grab real power and implement the type of policies that are sure to impoverish this country.
So, the best thing we have to look for is a White House that keeps on scaring people with crazy policy proposals (but which are dead on arrival after the mandatory period of nail biting provided by cable news networks).
Yes, it could be worse. But honestly, I wonder if it may become worse.
You see, the world out there is not waiting gently for the US to do something and react. The world changes. Crises happen. Things that require the US to react. And with an understaffed, feuding administration with at the helm an ignorant, incurious man that prides himself on being unpredictable and put forward his bravado, how do we know that actions taken won't land us in big trouble? You really think Mattis and McMaster will be able to neuter The Donald forever?
Domestically, the portrait isn't much better. Delays in adapting policies to evolving challenges may mean dire consequences. And then that doesn't even cover active sabotage of current policies, such as the threat to sink Obamacare via regulatory power. Which should be rightly called treason.
1
The elephant in the room - the one with GOP painted on its sides - is the majority party in congress that has priorities equal to and perhaps even worse than the man in the southern white house (see Social Security and Medicare) It might be possible to breathe easier if we could depend on them to rein in the worst instincts of their toddling president and see that the ethics of his entire family fall into at least the broad outlines of what is acceptable for public servants. Unfortunately, the party shows no signs of doing anything to interfere with what they view as a malleable piece of clay that will let them shape the pre-new deal future world of GOP dreams.
It could be worse. Now, that's a ringing endorsement from a right leaning pundit.
As for his few accomplishments, it seems that by nominating Gorsuch for the SC, Trump has essentially knowingly accepted stolen 'goods,' he has effectively diminished the legitimacy of the SC. Some accomplishment.
As for his few accomplishments, it seems that by nominating Gorsuch for the SC, Trump has essentially knowingly accepted stolen 'goods,' he has effectively diminished the legitimacy of the SC. Some accomplishment.
1
What a low bar indeed to just be grateful we aren't glowing in the dark, but I'll take it, if not as an accomplishment, at least as a guarded relief. (I am afraid at any moment that relief will turn to horror.) The economy is as you stated a is continuation of President Obama's wise leadership. That too could change rapidly (gas is up ten cents a gallon where I live).
I had to re-read the part about the ACA where you stated (to paraphrase) that "Ryan's failed proposed replacement was good news for the country because it was so flawed, ...it would achieve little or nothing for the common good". Does this mean, which I hope it does, that you finally see the "common good" that the ACA has achieved? If the Republicans want to repeal and replace the ACA, then it should be with single-payer insurance for all, that would be a remarkable achievement for any administration. I would applaud it, as I did the ACA.
I guess the very best we can hope for in the long march to the next presidential election is that somehow the status quo can be maintained, and that we will actually be around for the next election, with so many unqualified people in cabinet positions. I start every day by brining up the NY Times on my computer, with fear and trepidation, to see if we are still standing and what cringe-worthy twitter or tweet has emanated from the unqualified man who is the president. I stay blue in the face from holding my breath every day.
I had to re-read the part about the ACA where you stated (to paraphrase) that "Ryan's failed proposed replacement was good news for the country because it was so flawed, ...it would achieve little or nothing for the common good". Does this mean, which I hope it does, that you finally see the "common good" that the ACA has achieved? If the Republicans want to repeal and replace the ACA, then it should be with single-payer insurance for all, that would be a remarkable achievement for any administration. I would applaud it, as I did the ACA.
I guess the very best we can hope for in the long march to the next presidential election is that somehow the status quo can be maintained, and that we will actually be around for the next election, with so many unqualified people in cabinet positions. I start every day by brining up the NY Times on my computer, with fear and trepidation, to see if we are still standing and what cringe-worthy twitter or tweet has emanated from the unqualified man who is the president. I stay blue in the face from holding my breath every day.
You got to be kidding, is that your excuse, it could be worse ?
Donald Trump is single handedly out to destroy the planet, most self serving President of all times. Every word the President utters is a lie and he is proud to be that way.
The man is cutting funds for education, scientific research, de-fund planned parenthood . This is not going to stop unwanted teen pregnancy but those life will be in danger when they seek some other source to end their unwanted mistake.
Does not care for LBGTQ community, so we end up with mentally insecure youth who are left out from everything they might strive for.
I could go on and on but that will take time and space.
This is enough !
Donald Trump is single handedly out to destroy the planet, most self serving President of all times. Every word the President utters is a lie and he is proud to be that way.
The man is cutting funds for education, scientific research, de-fund planned parenthood . This is not going to stop unwanted teen pregnancy but those life will be in danger when they seek some other source to end their unwanted mistake.
Does not care for LBGTQ community, so we end up with mentally insecure youth who are left out from everything they might strive for.
I could go on and on but that will take time and space.
This is enough !
4
These guys are the Keystone Cops. They can't even keep track of their aircraft carriers. The next time there is a question, call Putin. He knows where they all are.
3
If Trump and the GOP succeed in repealing the ACA, the blood of dead Americans will be on their hands.
2
Instead of lamenting about the lack of preparation on the part of the administration, I'd like to thank god that Trump administration is so inefficient that they have almost no achievement to show. Also their biggest achievement, appointment of a supreme court judge can be attributed to Mitch McConel, senate majority leader's cunning than to President Trump who is showing no signs of growing up to the job that he has got.
2
Whenever I hear the phrase "It could be worse", I think of a scene from Young Frankenstein. "Dr. Fronkenstein" and "Eyegore" are in a graveyard digging up a freshly buried corpse. Replying to the doctor's complaints about it being a filthy, stinking job, Igor replies, "It could be worse. [...] It could be raining." Then of course there's a cloudburst.
I suspect Trump's clouds haven't burst yet, but they will. After all, the guy is a walking thunderstorm.
I suspect Trump's clouds haven't burst yet, but they will. After all, the guy is a walking thunderstorm.
2
Of course now that he's not doing so well he wants to negate the first 100 days. Spoken like a true blow hard.
2
Do some rudimentary research before you blab on...Carter passed more legislation in 4 years than nearly any modern President did in 8. The protest of the 60's and 70's that you find so prissily 'distasteful' or 'illiberal' resulted in a race of people who had been murdered, raped and enslaved finally getting some modicum of fair treatment by the government and other white citizens and helped to end one of the more idiotic wars in the country's history of several idiotic wars. For someone like you, who has probably a healthy retirement plan and maybe a retirement home and grandchildren in Ivy League schools, the Trump debacle is survivable. For the children and parents at my son's school who worry about ICE agents taking the parents away in the middle of the night, survival is at question. The more stark reality of the Trump 100 days is that even in the face of a possibly mentally ill raging narcissist and his unhinged minions running the country, people like you are finding things not so bad, and a third of this country is exposing that they have zero critical thinking ability and a taste for racist ideology if it furthers ideals that they mistakenly believe forward their economic fortunes.
4
Are we setting the bar so low that Trump doing nothing stupid for few days suddenly gives sense of normalcy?
Trump has pushed the US on the brink of war, taken steps to accelerate planet's path towards literal melt-down, made it easy for his donors to pollute the waters, poison the crops, and make education system worse ... all the while making himself, his family and his cronies richer.
Trump's presidency is the most dysfunctional and dangerous presidency ever. Period.
Trump has pushed the US on the brink of war, taken steps to accelerate planet's path towards literal melt-down, made it easy for his donors to pollute the waters, poison the crops, and make education system worse ... all the while making himself, his family and his cronies richer.
Trump's presidency is the most dysfunctional and dangerous presidency ever. Period.
4
The Republican party is working hard to live up to Henry David Thoreau's maxim: "That government is best which governs least."
That may have worked in Thoreau's time, but not when our country is facing some huge and thorny problems, both internal and external. Not acting is an act in itself; not deciding is a decision in itself; being incompetent at governing is still governing. "It could be worse," true - but never lose sight of the possibility that it could be better.
November 2018 can't come soon enough.
That may have worked in Thoreau's time, but not when our country is facing some huge and thorny problems, both internal and external. Not acting is an act in itself; not deciding is a decision in itself; being incompetent at governing is still governing. "It could be worse," true - but never lose sight of the possibility that it could be better.
November 2018 can't come soon enough.
2
It could have been worse - what a testament!
1
If Obama-era expansion is Trump's display of competence (!!?!!) what would you call the real, danger facing Americans when the Obama-era expires and the real Trump-era begins? Scorched Americans, scorched Democracy, scorched economics, broken relationships with our allies and nuke wars with old and newly minted enemies, leaving a scorched Planet? Will he own this claim to infamy? Oh, never mind it will all be Obama's fault!
1
Nice headline. I like this quote from another op-ed piece in the NYT today: "Trump has made a mere 50 nominations to fill the top 553 positions of the executive branch, as of Friday. That’s right: He hasn’t even nominated anyone for 90 percent of its top jobs." For this, I give Trump an A ! If her dissent have a staff to run the country, he can only do so much damage. I especially hope he never staffs up in Justice, EPA, Education, or Treasury.
Perhaps I missed the moment when you reverted to reality and confessed that there exists a learning curve in all things, even a tyro becoming president.
I do not see administrative incompetence flailing and failing to gain purchase. I see a self absorbed hedonist slowly learning how to turn his good fortune into permanent wealth and power.
Of course he did not know how the levers of the most powerful government man has ever seen work. But what we have here is not a drunken monkey moving those levers at random. We have a craven but cunning demagogue, trying everything he can to see what gets him where he wants to go.
It will be a whole lot less than 1360 days before he finds a pattern that makes him feel strong once again. Then the nightmare for us all will truly begin.
I do not see administrative incompetence flailing and failing to gain purchase. I see a self absorbed hedonist slowly learning how to turn his good fortune into permanent wealth and power.
Of course he did not know how the levers of the most powerful government man has ever seen work. But what we have here is not a drunken monkey moving those levers at random. We have a craven but cunning demagogue, trying everything he can to see what gets him where he wants to go.
It will be a whole lot less than 1360 days before he finds a pattern that makes him feel strong once again. Then the nightmare for us all will truly begin.
1
The writer gives Trump all the credit for his opponents maturity, civility, and restraint - but not them. I'm sure Trump will - typically - take it. However, just wait until he actually gets something done that he promised over and over again - like repealing the ACA. You can count on people being a lot less restrained if he does.
2
Getting Neil Gorsuch on the supreme court was an accomplishment. If this is seen as a significant Trump accomplishment, then you certainly are desperate to find anything positive to say about Trump. He had virtually no role in the process of getting his nomination rammed through the senate. Your bar is set so low in measuring the accomplishments of Trump that you would need to drill to the center of the earth to find it.
3
If the bar was any lower it would have to be below ground.
3
Before the 'perfect' was considered the enemy the 'good.' Now the mediocre is considered the champion of the abysmal? The article is cold comfort. If we are to celebrate when Trump doesn't shoot himself (or us) in the foot, then the Russians truly won the election. Being "saved" by incompetence is not the same as inspiring confidence. The only benefit of these times is the loss of apathy and indifference and the ascendance of truth. The lack of rational leadership is terrifying but compels participation. Trump is who we thought he was. The calm before a storm is not, however, a reassuring place and sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. "Red sky at morning, sailor take warning!"
This column reminds me of a very old joke. Two friends talking about how they felt on a certain day. One of them said 'I feel just awful, nothing is going right - not my work, my family, my health, etc.' The friend answered - 'Cheer up, it could be worse.' The other guy responded the next time they met. 'So I cheered up and you were right, things got worse.
3
While I find President Trump rather incompetent, what REALLY scares me is the power the Tea Party has acquired in the House and Senate. The Tea Party values of tax cuts for the already wealthy, while fleecing the middle class and poor; privatizing Medicare while raising the eligibility age; capping and reducing Medicaid help for nursing home patients; and encouraging corporate money to buy elections, are not my conservative fiscal, social or Christian values.
5
My God, that we have come to this: being thankful for what has NOT happened! There are nearly four more years for the wheels to come off this clown car and they will. It's part of DT's personal history. Past is prologue.
2
Of course, Ross has the luxury of his sanguine view in no small measure because he's not the US-born child of undocumented immigrant parent who is now more fearful of being deported or receives his health insurance through an Obamacare exchange which the Trump administration could sabotage without needing to pass any legislation. Because things might not look so bad from his perspective doesn't mean that they look as good for everyone else.
Sorry, but I don't want an incompetent grifter who has to learn to be president on the job. the fact that we are too micromanages man says everything we need to know about people who voted for him
1
compare the Trump presidency to what could have been a Cruz presidency with a republican congress! that's how you know it could have been worse
Don't be too sure. Just be grateful that didn't happen.
The real "success" of the Trump presidency is that it has exposed the Republican party for what it has been since Nixon created it in his own image.
2
Let's breathe a sigh of relief. We have normalized a tax evading, misogynist, reality show host as President of the United States. God help us.
6
This phrase in the column fails to note the reality: "...a Republican Party that’s...internally divided...".
The Republican party on Capitol Hill, especially in the House, is at war with itself. Since the elections of 2010, it has been dominated by a group of people who neither know how to legislate nor care to learn. They see their purpose as blocking everything and then swooping back to their gerrymandered districts for whoops of praise. Unless or until the Republicans decide to kick them back, take them down many notches, very little of anything that might draw wide approval is possible.
As for Trump's choices to lead various cabinet departments, he and his team have heard the buzzer but failed to come out on the court to play. He has nominated only 7% of the 530 sub-cabinet and other positions required of any president, 37 out of 530. He takes ignorance of the functioning of government as a badge of honor saying, in effect, what do we need all these people far? Meanwhile, it is safe to assume that hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are being wasted in agencies without leadership or direction. These are the kinds of ordinary things his cheering crowds know or care nothing about at all.
The American public, through the Electoral College, put a forcefully, determinedly ignorant man in the White House. If you would like to get the full impact of that massive ignorance, read the AP interview with Trump from earlier this week.
http://tinyurl.com/ldqk7w8
The Republican party on Capitol Hill, especially in the House, is at war with itself. Since the elections of 2010, it has been dominated by a group of people who neither know how to legislate nor care to learn. They see their purpose as blocking everything and then swooping back to their gerrymandered districts for whoops of praise. Unless or until the Republicans decide to kick them back, take them down many notches, very little of anything that might draw wide approval is possible.
As for Trump's choices to lead various cabinet departments, he and his team have heard the buzzer but failed to come out on the court to play. He has nominated only 7% of the 530 sub-cabinet and other positions required of any president, 37 out of 530. He takes ignorance of the functioning of government as a badge of honor saying, in effect, what do we need all these people far? Meanwhile, it is safe to assume that hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are being wasted in agencies without leadership or direction. These are the kinds of ordinary things his cheering crowds know or care nothing about at all.
The American public, through the Electoral College, put a forcefully, determinedly ignorant man in the White House. If you would like to get the full impact of that massive ignorance, read the AP interview with Trump from earlier this week.
http://tinyurl.com/ldqk7w8
2
For crying out loud, how much lower can the bar be set? I guess it's a smart people who can bend their expectations based on the intelligence and reason of our president, and the mandate of our democracy is that we strive to be self-governed. But do we have to do it ALL by ourselves?
I don't need a Rhodes (Clinton) nor constitutional (Obama) scholar to be my president. I just prefer someone smarter than me (speaking of low bars). With the Reagan to GDub to Trump arc, that threshold isn't even close to being met. And with that arc, who's next for the Republicans?! Now there's a scary thought.
I don't need a Rhodes (Clinton) nor constitutional (Obama) scholar to be my president. I just prefer someone smarter than me (speaking of low bars). With the Reagan to GDub to Trump arc, that threshold isn't even close to being met. And with that arc, who's next for the Republicans?! Now there's a scary thought.
1
Ross, of COURSE it could be worse, and it will be.
5
. . . and an opposition that’s unhinged on Twitter . . . "
an opposition that's unhinged on twitter??
an opposition that's unhinged on twitter??
1
That the worst hasn't happened is surely no guarantee that it won't.
What is clear after almost 100 days is that their is no "pattern" to this administration so really anything can happen at any time, maybe a way to negotiate a deal to build a casino but surely no way to run something as complex as our government. The most dangerous aspect for me is that Trump, in the face of frustration in his inability to pass domestic legislation, turns to the international stage and war mongering to boost his poll numbers and get his macho fix. In Kim Jung-Un, in both madness and haircut he's found his match.
What is clear after almost 100 days is that their is no "pattern" to this administration so really anything can happen at any time, maybe a way to negotiate a deal to build a casino but surely no way to run something as complex as our government. The most dangerous aspect for me is that Trump, in the face of frustration in his inability to pass domestic legislation, turns to the international stage and war mongering to boost his poll numbers and get his macho fix. In Kim Jung-Un, in both madness and haircut he's found his match.
1
Interesting take. We should be thankful for what hasn't happened rather than what has. In other words, anything that keeps the status quo is good. Douthat's way of trying to look at a half empty up as half full; but what happens when is gets below the half full line?
"The kind of madness that swept through our politics in the sixties and seventies," How did Mr.Douthat come up with that sweeping generalization? Protests are not a manifestation of madness. Did he experience them? Was he there? As someone who was, I find his specious statement to be insulting to not only me but to others who fought for causes. He owes us an apology, or at the very least an explanation of what he means by madness.
3
Well written, thoughtful treatment on a real political crisis. Let's be clear -- whether he is a fascist or not, his movement, at his core, embraced/embraces the core of fascism -- nativism/hyper-nationalism, racial/ethnic politics, violence --either encouraged or tacitly endorsed-- and utter vilification of your opponent (not that politics is normally tea-time). Plus he is a megalomaniac, who knows nothing yet claims everything. This must be resisted as normal, for it is not (and damn it i'm a relativist!). 2018 will be very fun. 50-50 he makes it four years; for the world's sake, I hope he does not.
1
My only fear is that we actually have 2,820 days to go.
1
Its true that Trump's apparent lack of strategy, planning, and execution will likley prevent the "all three branches" leverage from accomplishing as much as their fans would hope. And that could be a good thing for the country. Sort of the "do no harm" of the political world.
But when you say "100 days is nothing", I must remind you that in the words of Mr. Trump himself (from Rick Reilly's golf book)...
“Believe me. One day of me is enough."
And I could not agree more.
But when you say "100 days is nothing", I must remind you that in the words of Mr. Trump himself (from Rick Reilly's golf book)...
“Believe me. One day of me is enough."
And I could not agree more.
While I applaud Mr. Douthat's reasoned (read: strained?) attempt to put a splash of lipstick on this young and clueless porcine presidency, the fact is that there just hasn't been enough time gone by to truly gauge the damage Trump and his band of merry and merciless fools have and will do to America. Assuming a few or his destructive and probably illegal executive orders take hold, his foreign "policy" further erodes confidence among our allies and emboldens our enemies, and his draconian economic proposals outlast the greed-driven expectations currently pumping up the stock market (whereas the steadier, slower growth under Obama was underpinned by sheer, boring numerical fact) … well, all I can say is, "Ross, call me after 300 days." Then we'll see how "worse" it truly is.
2
"Obamacare replacement was so flawed that its passage would have achieved little or nothing for the common good."
Where was this insight 3 or 4 years ago? The "so flawed" replacement was and Ann Rand/Paul Ryan dream package.
But never mind that. Please explain this next comment.
"One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."
In what way will the hijacking of the Supreme Court and preventing the rightful person whom President Obama nominated, a reasonable man who has a heart who understands that the Constitution is a living document, and replacing him with this frozen intellect whose first decision was to enable a bunch of thugs in Arkansas to commit murder--in what way will that do anything at all for the Common Good?
The Common Good does not even register on the fossilized brain of such a person. This one seems to be a "nicer" person than the dinosaur who recently slipped below the tar pit of his mind but do something for the Common Good.... It could not be worse.
Where was this insight 3 or 4 years ago? The "so flawed" replacement was and Ann Rand/Paul Ryan dream package.
But never mind that. Please explain this next comment.
"One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."
In what way will the hijacking of the Supreme Court and preventing the rightful person whom President Obama nominated, a reasonable man who has a heart who understands that the Constitution is a living document, and replacing him with this frozen intellect whose first decision was to enable a bunch of thugs in Arkansas to commit murder--in what way will that do anything at all for the Common Good?
The Common Good does not even register on the fossilized brain of such a person. This one seems to be a "nicer" person than the dinosaur who recently slipped below the tar pit of his mind but do something for the Common Good.... It could not be worse.
2
What a desperate, pathetic, and transparent defense of the indefensible.
4
Yes, as my mother used to say, "We could be in hell with a broken back!
4
So, since we are doing the whole "it could be worse" thing, can we now agree - based on the level of hysteria on the right over the past 8 years of Obama - that the fact that the country still exists means that Obama was the greatest president in all of history - past, present, or future?
2
Is anything more frightening than relying on Trump's incompetence to do no harm?
Chaos Theory was developed in the early '60s by a meteorologist at MIT. With weather as a metaphor, it suggests that seemingly independent, random events across great distances can actually be connected with perilous consequences. This phenomenon in known as The Butterfly Effect : a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazon and a hurricane hits the East Coast a few days later.
Chaos Theory is also explored anecdotally by National Magazine Award winner Laurence Gonzalez in his 2003 book "Extreme Survival" in the context of accidents and natural disasters.
As Trump flounders domestically in his own incompetence with a craven Congress eventually abandoning its pretense of support, he will venture outside the country as commander - n- chief to seek the affirmation he so desperately and pathetically craves.
A butterfly will flap its wings somewhere, and Trump will plunge the country into yet another reckless foreign adventure with the only certainty that it will not jeopardize one of this real estate developments.
Chaos Theory was developed in the early '60s by a meteorologist at MIT. With weather as a metaphor, it suggests that seemingly independent, random events across great distances can actually be connected with perilous consequences. This phenomenon in known as The Butterfly Effect : a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazon and a hurricane hits the East Coast a few days later.
Chaos Theory is also explored anecdotally by National Magazine Award winner Laurence Gonzalez in his 2003 book "Extreme Survival" in the context of accidents and natural disasters.
As Trump flounders domestically in his own incompetence with a craven Congress eventually abandoning its pretense of support, he will venture outside the country as commander - n- chief to seek the affirmation he so desperately and pathetically craves.
A butterfly will flap its wings somewhere, and Trump will plunge the country into yet another reckless foreign adventure with the only certainty that it will not jeopardize one of this real estate developments.
2
Question: If Trump and his fellow Koch-led Republicans plan to cut taxes on corporations and the 1%ers what part of the budget do they plan to cut in order to balance the budget?
Answer: the derogatorily named "entitlements", Social Security and Medicare with enough surgery on the Affordable Care Act
to destroy any value it might have for the middle-class.
Answer: the derogatorily named "entitlements", Social Security and Medicare with enough surgery on the Affordable Care Act
to destroy any value it might have for the middle-class.
4
The fall off in illegal immigrants has also been accompanied by a steep decline in the applications to US universities by foreign students, which will be to the great detriment of the US in the future.
1
It's only dawn in Trump's America, give it time, it can get worse.
It ain't over 'til it's over. So now that 100 days have passed and Trump & team haven't (yet) destroyed the government, started a (new) war, imploded the economy, etc., you can breathe a sigh of relief?
I look forward to uodates on your guarded optimism as the 1,360 days progress.
Impeach.
I look forward to uodates on your guarded optimism as the 1,360 days progress.
Impeach.
You count the appointment of Gorsuch to the Supreme Court as a major achievement? We agree on practically nothing when it comes to politics and public policy, but I always assumed you were a man of decency. Stealing is now a moral good? You surprise me, Mr. Douthat, and not in a good way.
5
When Boss Baby was elected I asserted that anything good that happens over the course of the next four years will happen strictly by reason of accident. Apparently, Mr. Douthat agrees. I wouldn't consider the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court as an accomplishment on The Donald's part: the appointment of a justice who has a higher regard for the rights of corporations than he does for the rights of pregnant women was made possible only as a result of Mitch McConnell's willingness to suspend some senate rules and to manufacture some new ones. In any case, this country hasn't descended into violence and anarchy primarily because The Donald's opponents tend to be civilized Americans, Had he lost the election and refused to accept the outcome (as he once threatened to do) he might very well have pushed his supporters into a confrontation that would have made the 1960s look like an era of peace and contentment.
3
This Op-ed is a perfect example of the phrases "whistling past the graveyard".
The idea that this will last for four years is more unlikely then the writer hitting the Powerball Lottery.
The best outcome will be that we,as a nation, a world, and a species survive whatever disasters he creates, and that he destroys the Republican Party in the process.
We need a two party system, but the current Republican Party should follow the fate of the Whigs, the party that they replaced.
I speak as a recovered Republican, who is now an Independent.
The idea that this will last for four years is more unlikely then the writer hitting the Powerball Lottery.
The best outcome will be that we,as a nation, a world, and a species survive whatever disasters he creates, and that he destroys the Republican Party in the process.
We need a two party system, but the current Republican Party should follow the fate of the Whigs, the party that they replaced.
I speak as a recovered Republican, who is now an Independent.
93
"It could be worse." THAT'S your apologetic response to trump's bumbling, authoritative, un-American, anti-ally, destructive "foreign policy" behavior? Yes, indeed, though, I am grateful for the OBAMA expansion, even as the moron-in-chief tries to take credit for it. 100 days feels like 100 months. Impeach him. Lock him up. RESIST.
1
The title of this capitulating commentary is as alarming as the content. There is no place at this juncture for all the "to be fair", "give him a chance" "yes but/no but" and particularly " it could be worse"'s still in play. How big a sample of what you have at 1600 do you need? The Russian hacking, Flynn, security etc are big pots that may be moving off the back burners. How will the bright side look in a few months?
1
It could have been a lot worse. We could have had Hillary Clinton in the White House. That would have been a disaster.
I completely disagree, it in no way "could be worse".
Electing Trump as the president has devalued and diluted forever the standing and symbolic meaning of the office. It's a national disgrace.
The office and by extension the country has become a world wide laughing stock by punking ourselves with this noxious display of self disrespect represented by his election.
If you are not completely horrified by what you have seen so far, you're simply still in shock and have not yet arrived at a point where you are able to accurately process what you are seeing.
The incompetence and unfitness of this president and his administration can only be matched by their dishonesty. This is a rolling catastrophe in the making, and there is nothing that can stop it.
Electing Trump as the president has devalued and diluted forever the standing and symbolic meaning of the office. It's a national disgrace.
The office and by extension the country has become a world wide laughing stock by punking ourselves with this noxious display of self disrespect represented by his election.
If you are not completely horrified by what you have seen so far, you're simply still in shock and have not yet arrived at a point where you are able to accurately process what you are seeing.
The incompetence and unfitness of this president and his administration can only be matched by their dishonesty. This is a rolling catastrophe in the making, and there is nothing that can stop it.
2
It could be worse. Then what's worst?
1
And there you have it folks. In this case, faint praise is not damning, it's all we have to cling desperately to. I understand that. But Trump really is Trump, and he's just getting started. Tax cuts for the rich, anyone?
1
Well you know what they say: If you're going to elect a compulsive liar with authoritarian leanings, make sure he's incompetent, thus "limiting" the damage. But it's early yet. Very, VERY early.
1
So encouraging. It could also have been better....
It could have been worse? Really? You have to be kidding.
1
True, but it's of no comfort. The ongoing loss of dignity and respect to the office is overwhelming. From the giggling first family's entering-night "capture the castle" giddiness (wow, look a bowling alley!) to the State Department's remarkable plug for Mar-A-Lago, to the smirking Palin/Nugent/Trump alt-right photo op. The visuals are horrible, horrible, horrible. And the substance? Far worse. The conflicts are staggering, the incompetence astonishing and proof of treason on the horizon. Somewhere in the halls of the Capitol, the voices of the sane are rising. There will be heroes in this, other than a judiciary under attack. I can't wait to find out who.
3
Incompetence is Never OK, no matter how you shine it up.
2
In other words, anybody really can grow up to be President of the good old USA! Brains, common sense, competence, and good manners don't matter!
Apply the same logic to your doctor, accountant, or dentist and see where you come out on that.
Apply the same logic to your doctor, accountant, or dentist and see where you come out on that.
1
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?
5
Yes-Obama's economic recovery has not been dismantled by Trump...yet. He has destroyed the coherence of almost all federal agencies, obliterating public protections and positioning tax, health coverage, environmental & financial laws to drive America backward... into another 2008 ditch. The stock market bubble bodes ill.
Yes- it could be worse- but all signs indicate worse is primed to come.
Yes- it could be worse- but all signs indicate worse is primed to come.
89
What he has succeeded in doing is to introduce into the world a day to day uncertainty about nearly everything, including the viability, in the long run, of nothing less than life on earth. This administration is increasingly like Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, in which all is chaos and obfuscation, and words, and the truth, have no meaning. He has reversed the progress of environment advances to the extent that we may soon have the air and water pollution of a half century ago. He has put into peril the health of women across our country and around the world. He is threatening the health of millions of people in his own country. by the potential loss of health insurance. He has broken and/or ignored laws and rules that ordinary citizens must adhere to. He has spent millions of taxpayers' dollars on weekends at Mar-a-Lago while affecting to be frugal at the expense of the arts and science. It goes on and on, and we haven't even reached the 100th day. It could be worse? We should be pleased because it could be worse?
112
Let us not forget while he goes on his $3 million golfing weekends to eat chocolate cake, he is threatening to shut down Meals on Wheels and Big Bird (the only preschool especially children who don't speak English get). He does not even pay taxes to support our military.
SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME
SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME
Yes, but... this is still like a marriage to an abusive man. He might call you names, but at least he didn't break your arms. He might demean your very existence, but at least he lets you live in his house, do his laundry and make his meals. He might make you work outside the home so that he won't have to, but at least you're learning the job skills that you will need when you finally leave him. It's not a happy marriage, but hey, at least it's better than being alone. "A half a loaf is better than none." The trouble is, this is the United States of America, potentially the greatest country in the world. This is not a third-world country, and we deserve the whole loaf.
1
Just a minute. The disgraceful thing at Middlebury was offering an honorable platform to the odious Charles Murray. The redeeming factor was the insistence of some part of the student body that the school come to its senses and return to Congregationalist rectitude by rejecting such racism.
1
If Charles Murray has a right to speak at Middlebury, then I have a right to walk into any home I choose and yell at the people in it about their decorating choices.
Mr. Douthat - You are whistling past the graveyard of our planet. Just wait until the wrecking crew on environmental protection that Trump has assembled gets seriously to work. Yes. in the short term. things could be worse. Lord Keynes was right when he said that "in the long term we will all be dead." But he didn't envisage the destruction of the earth by humans as part of his long term.
1
Mr. Douthat, first let me remind you that #45 inherited a recovering economy, and that we have had almost three years of steady jobs growth! Please do not insult me, by giving any credit to #45!
He is a disaster in foreign policy, domestically the majority of Americans do not believe him to be an honest person, and many of us have formed a formidable resistance movement which makes the Tea Party look like a small gathering of grumps!
In a hundred days, #45 has made us the laughing stock of the world! Remember all his promises? I do! One was that "within 30 days I will destroy ISIS!" Waiting for the Republicans to grow a backbone and get serious about the big elephant in the room....Russia and #45's collusion!
He is using executive orders to "rule" which he decried and joked about Obama using during his campaign! His executive orders on immigration are being struck down, because he and his staff do not understand our Constitution, and because we are a nation of laws, yes, it also of justice and we still have some humanity. Thank God for the three branches of government!
Gorsuch? Success? The GOP STOLE the seat from Pres. Obama. And then had to use the nuclear option to shove Gorsuch down our throats! You and other conservatives know that IF #45 was a Democrat under FBI investigation for collusion with a foreign government, the GOP would not allow this president to appoint a Justice! Such hypocrisy!
He is a disaster in foreign policy, domestically the majority of Americans do not believe him to be an honest person, and many of us have formed a formidable resistance movement which makes the Tea Party look like a small gathering of grumps!
In a hundred days, #45 has made us the laughing stock of the world! Remember all his promises? I do! One was that "within 30 days I will destroy ISIS!" Waiting for the Republicans to grow a backbone and get serious about the big elephant in the room....Russia and #45's collusion!
He is using executive orders to "rule" which he decried and joked about Obama using during his campaign! His executive orders on immigration are being struck down, because he and his staff do not understand our Constitution, and because we are a nation of laws, yes, it also of justice and we still have some humanity. Thank God for the three branches of government!
Gorsuch? Success? The GOP STOLE the seat from Pres. Obama. And then had to use the nuclear option to shove Gorsuch down our throats! You and other conservatives know that IF #45 was a Democrat under FBI investigation for collusion with a foreign government, the GOP would not allow this president to appoint a Justice! Such hypocrisy!
4
You're right, Mr. Douthat, it could be worse, but only because the real dirty stuff has yet to hit the fan: the overwhelming stench of corruption and possibly treason.
Today, it's the felonious and treasonous activities of Michael Flynn, and the White House's refusal to release the relevant documents they must be busy shredding. Trump's tax returns and the Trump family conflicts of interest with their business activities need to be investigated and addressed if only to formulate a more specific set of policies for future presidents to follow. The FBI investigation of Russian involvement in the election and the Trump campaign has yet to be completed and released.
Maybe it will all come to nothing, but a new, subterranean standard of ethics has been introduced to our government, and after the ridiculous lengths to which the GOP went to search for non-existent culpability over Benghazi, Hillary's email server, etc., this GOP's treacherous hypocrisy is unparalleled.
Today, it's the felonious and treasonous activities of Michael Flynn, and the White House's refusal to release the relevant documents they must be busy shredding. Trump's tax returns and the Trump family conflicts of interest with their business activities need to be investigated and addressed if only to formulate a more specific set of policies for future presidents to follow. The FBI investigation of Russian involvement in the election and the Trump campaign has yet to be completed and released.
Maybe it will all come to nothing, but a new, subterranean standard of ethics has been introduced to our government, and after the ridiculous lengths to which the GOP went to search for non-existent culpability over Benghazi, Hillary's email server, etc., this GOP's treacherous hypocrisy is unparalleled.
Trump promised us so much winning that we would get tired of winning, so this column, “It Could Be Worse,” is a major step down. Mr. Douthat almost sounds relieved that Trump hasn’t managed to make America great again in the way that he had promised. Isn’t it telling when a president’s lack of success to members of his own party is viewed as a good thing? And, your own rank-and file is counting the days as in, “Only about 1,360 days to go.” Because we all know it could have been better!
1
There's a Latin term for the logical fallacy this piece represents. Post hoc what? Donald Trump becomes president and a bunch of stuff happens. Clearly, he caused it. Right? How about a serious analysis of actions and consequences? It's probably too early for that--except Gorsuch was able to vote to reverse a stay so Arkansas could kill some people--but I don'e expect much better. Our pundits happy to talk about politics and personalities, but issues are tough--likely beyond the grasp of both writers and most readers.
In short... what he's tried to do has failed!
2
Rosie O'Donnell would have been more competent than Trump.
1
Using Douthat's column as a guide, Republicans can start making their slogans and bumper stickers for 2018: Vote Republican:
It could be worse--but probably not!
We got rid of the fools and opportunists from Trump's campaign!
We achieved a level of semi-competence!
Our health care plan was so flawed, we didn't pass it!
We succeeded in stealing the Supreme Court vote!
Your worst fears didn't come to pass--yet!
It could be worse--but probably not!
We got rid of the fools and opportunists from Trump's campaign!
We achieved a level of semi-competence!
Our health care plan was so flawed, we didn't pass it!
We succeeded in stealing the Supreme Court vote!
Your worst fears didn't come to pass--yet!
5
Ross, it doesn't matter how good bad or ugly Trump's 100 days in office are. Trump relentlessly, for years, harassed us all with the birther issue, for no real reason at all. He (and sadly his family too) will similarly face obstruction, indignity, even untrue stories, just because karma IS, its a thing. Even if he were to say as the Catholics believe, go confess his sins and seek forgiveness from a priest (subbing God?) or even Obama, unlikely he will receive forgiveness or even slightest understanding, consideration from hundreds of millions of people in America, and abroad. Sorry Donald, you yourself asked for your karma to follow you like a shadow.
3
Everyone has to stop giving him credit for Gorsuch. It was a seat he should not have been able to fill. The name was given to him by a conservative think tank along with others for the sole purpose of gaining conservative support in the election. And it was passed with the smallest number of votes in confirmation history and as the result of a drastic rule change by a power hungry, spiteful, unpatriotic Kentuckian. The only thing that Trump really had to do with it was the world's most awkward handshake.
8
Well said. And let's not forget the vacancy existed only because the Republican party stonewalled Obama's equally qualified nominee.
1
What, no mention about the Russians, Mr. Douthat?
No mention about Ivanka sitting next to every important world leader, shilling for her line with people like President Xi?
No mention of Jared Kushner, totally unqualified yet tasked with saving the Middle East?
No mention of Trump finalizing the stealing of the SCOTUS seat from Garland with his appointment of a man who was chosen by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society and that Trump and McConnell had to go nuclear to get Gorsuch through the Senate.
The argument that because we haven't had a total disaster in 100 days makes it not a disaster is pretty pathetic, Mr. Douthat.
No mention about Ivanka sitting next to every important world leader, shilling for her line with people like President Xi?
No mention of Jared Kushner, totally unqualified yet tasked with saving the Middle East?
No mention of Trump finalizing the stealing of the SCOTUS seat from Garland with his appointment of a man who was chosen by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society and that Trump and McConnell had to go nuclear to get Gorsuch through the Senate.
The argument that because we haven't had a total disaster in 100 days makes it not a disaster is pretty pathetic, Mr. Douthat.
12
"One is the successful nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court."....Failing to mention that it required the Senate to eliminate the filibuster in order to get it done, and therefore a limited accomplishment at best.
"the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border,"....Failing to mention that prior to Trump's election, illegal crossing of the southern border was already at a 45 year low.
I suppose we should give him some credit - so far he has not managed to start a war.
"the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border,"....Failing to mention that prior to Trump's election, illegal crossing of the southern border was already at a 45 year low.
I suppose we should give him some credit - so far he has not managed to start a war.
15
What are you smoking?
Aka - this is the type of silliness that got us Trump in the first place.
If his unprecedented level of saber rattling with North Korea doesn't scare you then surely the decisions regarding the climate and our kids futures must have some impact on your conscience and analytical abilities.
I suspect you will unfortunately soon regret this column.
Perhaps the more appropriate and accurate column for tomorrow would be entitled "the worst president ever, based on a 100 day milestone, is carefully setting the stage for carnage both on the typical American family and the global community ".
Then you can write the exact same copy with perhaps a shift from the laconic to a focus on the seriousness. That is where your Bush/ Cheney comparisons will really resonate as in fact Trump is way ahead of them on his timeline to destroy everything that we have all collectively worked so hard, and sacrificed so much for.
That column may also be the one that people and historians can refer to in the future to show how you / and the Times actually did some credible analysis and relevant forecasting. Of what Trump's first 100 days really tells us.
Aka - this is the type of silliness that got us Trump in the first place.
If his unprecedented level of saber rattling with North Korea doesn't scare you then surely the decisions regarding the climate and our kids futures must have some impact on your conscience and analytical abilities.
I suspect you will unfortunately soon regret this column.
Perhaps the more appropriate and accurate column for tomorrow would be entitled "the worst president ever, based on a 100 day milestone, is carefully setting the stage for carnage both on the typical American family and the global community ".
Then you can write the exact same copy with perhaps a shift from the laconic to a focus on the seriousness. That is where your Bush/ Cheney comparisons will really resonate as in fact Trump is way ahead of them on his timeline to destroy everything that we have all collectively worked so hard, and sacrificed so much for.
That column may also be the one that people and historians can refer to in the future to show how you / and the Times actually did some credible analysis and relevant forecasting. Of what Trump's first 100 days really tells us.
There once was a country in decline
Led by the Trump family bloodline
Abetted by torpor
A clueless New Yorker
Has triggered a meltdown in no time
Led by the Trump family bloodline
Abetted by torpor
A clueless New Yorker
Has triggered a meltdown in no time
12
I think the column is pretty much fair but Douhat skips the most disturbing actions of Trump, in particular getting Jeff Sessions seated as AG. Sessions wants to go back to the race bating, anti-liberal, anti-poor, anti-civil rights past of heavy handed drug enforcement, immigration enforcement, voter id/suppression and looking the other way when police break our laws. Trump made the devil's deal, allowing right wing cranks like Sessions high ranking positions in return for supporting his now failing agenda.
11
Well, Trump's presidency has been good for the sale of bomb shelters.
8
His biggest "achievement" is a stolen Supreme Court seat. Seems about right for the bankrupt-in-chief.
Otherwise, you say we should be grateful that Ivanka and Jarred have assumed the Presidency. Given the alternatives, I suppose you have a point.
Otherwise, you say we should be grateful that Ivanka and Jarred have assumed the Presidency. Given the alternatives, I suppose you have a point.
14
Of course it can get worse. The question is: "when will it be bad enough?"
The numerous conflicts of interest that Mr. Trump indulges himself in ought to be plenty. Imagine what would have happened if a new President Clinton had half the real baggage Mr. Trump flaunts.
The attacks on the environment Mr. Trump has mounted should be denounced as the potentially globally fatal tree trunk that will break the camel's back so that Trumpian cronies can squeeze the remaining dollars out of fossil fuels. Insults like the nomination and confirmation of insults like Rick Perry as energy secretary is evidence enough of how ignorance and be weaponized.
Maybe the Trump tax plan will do the trick. Blatant transfer of more wealth to the wealthy may shake a few Trump supporters out of their trance. But hope grows dimmer every day presidential attention isn't focused on fighting impeachment.
The numerous conflicts of interest that Mr. Trump indulges himself in ought to be plenty. Imagine what would have happened if a new President Clinton had half the real baggage Mr. Trump flaunts.
The attacks on the environment Mr. Trump has mounted should be denounced as the potentially globally fatal tree trunk that will break the camel's back so that Trumpian cronies can squeeze the remaining dollars out of fossil fuels. Insults like the nomination and confirmation of insults like Rick Perry as energy secretary is evidence enough of how ignorance and be weaponized.
Maybe the Trump tax plan will do the trick. Blatant transfer of more wealth to the wealthy may shake a few Trump supporters out of their trance. But hope grows dimmer every day presidential attention isn't focused on fighting impeachment.
4
"It Could Be Worse". No, it couldn't.
19
I agree, I think this is as bad as it really can be.
Any normalization of this man is a travesty and should be rejected by anyone with a conscience or a spark of decency.
19
Mr. Douthat is incapable of any sustained moderate tone. Try as he might, the "Carter-esque" in the last sentence gives him away completely.
Better luck next time.
Better luck next time.
9
Next Douthat will be telling us he voted for HRC.
7
It could be worse? That's the bar by which we are measuring the president of the United States now? Really? It's not even really possible to enumerate the ways in which this thesis is absurd. There are not enough words nor enough space to dispute Douthat's list. We now have a president and his staff who are essentially being investigated for treason while working as agents of an enemy of the United States to destroy our democracy. How does it really get any worse than that?
20
How can you say "unhinged on Twitter" and not be talking about Trump?
5
Immigration reform is easy, doesn't even need any new laws.
Lock up the people who hire illegal immigrants.
Lock up the people who hire illegal immigrants.
3
Yeah, let's! And while we're at it let's allow our nation's crops to rot in the fields, orchards and vines!
One should not only call out lies, but also silly arguments and this is one! Remember, we resort to this logic, of "it could have been worse", only when we are hit by a disaster and looking for some relief.
6
A repeal of Obamacare is in the pipeline--just as soon as the Freedom Caucus gets what it wants. A horrendous deficit busting tax give away to the rich and corporate interests predicated on discredited Supply Side economics maybe this week? About 80-100 Executive Orders and Presidential Memos aimed at reversing environmental and other common sense Obama era (and before) actions. A horrendous budget proposal that would gut EPA, State and many other essential Departments and services. A billionaires' cabinet staffed by narrow-minded and too oft incompetent secretaries, many with positions diametrically opposed to their mission. A flourishing swamp populated by incompetent family and friends. Humongous conflict of interest issues making a mockery of ethics. About 90% of key appointments missing. Demoralized government workers. A total absence of discernible foreign and domestic strategy and policy. A president who is abuses the perks of office, works little, is emotionally and intellectually incompetent, vulgar and whose preferred communication media is tweeting inanities. Popularity at its lowest, polarization at its highest.
Yes, we're not at war yet. But Trump has given a platform to our worst selves--the hatred, bigotry, sloth and greed that lurks just below the surface of this troubled, beautiful country. The only question is will it get worse--and how bad given that the GoP and Trump voters are still in total denial. Are you also in denial, Mr. Douthat?
Yes, we're not at war yet. But Trump has given a platform to our worst selves--the hatred, bigotry, sloth and greed that lurks just below the surface of this troubled, beautiful country. The only question is will it get worse--and how bad given that the GoP and Trump voters are still in total denial. Are you also in denial, Mr. Douthat?
10
You speak for me.
Very well said.
How can it get worse than a president under the cloud of treason who must be guilty because he is doing everything he can to obstruct the investigation?
In abusive relationships, abnormal and unreasonable becomes normal. I think that is what is happening in your article, Mr. Douthat. We have a terrible President. Your article tries to normalize the abnormally and unreasonably bad. I don't think that's a good idea. I think we need to have the same values and standards we did and call out the extremes of this administration. Just because Trump isn't accomplishing much doesn't mean he isn't terrible.
10
Sessions is still AG. Price, Ross, Perry and the EPA hater (whatshisname) are still running cabinet posts they hate the existence of. One the good side the Turkish/Russian agent who got hired with no vetting is out but with no admittance his presence was a disgrace t the administration, why are we confident there aren't more such moles? Yeah, things are going along swimmingly. Douthat's certainly a glass-half-full kind of guy. Maybe more than half-full. The pattern of abuse of the conflict-of-interest exemption could be on track to raise an impeachment argument once the GOP Congress realizes he's endangering their hold on the House and Senate. Then maybe Pence will be the POTUS in less than 2 years and Douthat's glass would be full.
3
A more apt summary/headline for this column: "Things are never so bad that they cannot get worse."
5
I resent how you attributed the violence at Berkeley to illiberal college atmosphere. The fact is the violent, fascist groups travelled there to create a ruckus. It still takes 2 to rumble. You could make your points without falling for right wing dishonesty.
3
How does one prove that illegal border crossings are down. Statistics or fake news from the White House? Just asking?
5
Seriously, statistics. There are folks who monitor our border. Look it up!
Yes, it could be worse. MUCH worse. The Emperor really could HAVE new clothes, and an entire generation of innocent children would be forever blinded by sheer horror ...
2
"Decent enough stock market"?
Talk about reluctant praise and typical anti-Trump bias. The market has been on a tear. Incredible especially given such low expectations - Paul Krugman basically guaranteed the market would tank.
Talk about reluctant praise and typical anti-Trump bias. The market has been on a tear. Incredible especially given such low expectations - Paul Krugman basically guaranteed the market would tank.
2
It's been less than 100 days. It could be worse? It WILL be worse.
4
Conservatives used to decry "the soft bigotry of low expectations." New rule, huh?
3
Can we see a conversation between Douthat and Charles Kesler some time? Let's see if these two can figure out whether they're on the same planet.
3
As long as one is still breathing, "it could always be worse".
This seems like a "gentleman's" C minus.
For Mr. Douthat ,then, mediocre is the new gold standard.
This seems like a "gentleman's" C minus.
For Mr. Douthat ,then, mediocre is the new gold standard.
2
How? Short of nuclear war, how could Trump be worse?
3
What hou have tried to push for an agrument is just so bogus. Why can't you understand that Trump is a total disaster. Wonder what you'll write when he gets us into a war with North Korea. Oh, yes, and aren't our neighbors just so delighted with the way he deals with Canada and Mexico. And... But why would I go on since you, Ross, aren't aware of the disasters that the rest of us are.
While I applaud your willingness to critique the record of the awful person your party elected to the most powerful position in the world, you still can't bring yourself to acknowledge that his worst proposals have been kept at bay by the concerted activism of the people you call "hysterical." That heavily freighted word has been used repeatedly throughout history to oppress and silence women who refused to conform with men's notions of propriety. I'd strike it from your vocabulary.
4
His crowning success so far? Filling a STOLEN Supreme Court seat, and needing the Senate to break 100's of years of traditional process to do so. Some success.
1
I guess a good summation would be that his first 100 days are OK because he allowed the Obama successes to continue without destroying the country while scaring lots of Mexicans to stay home. I must agree with you Ross, would be great if the next 1,364 are the same.
sure, we could be the complete kleptocracy that is russia, or the vile theocracy that is turkey.
2
Dare I hope that Douthat begins to understand that we should all be concerned (not just the "left") that a rudderless, mercurial, narcissistic vulgarian with contempt for the hard work of governing is now president?
3
I can't understand why people like Mr. Douthat are fans of Neil Gorsuch.
He will continue the Citizens United philosophy of help corporate America and the expense of Americans.
Mr. Douthat has children who will be affected, too.
He will continue the Citizens United philosophy of help corporate America and the expense of Americans.
Mr. Douthat has children who will be affected, too.
3
So, what you're saying is that Trump has managed not to drive the country completely into a ditch because of the economy that Obama left him -- or as Trump would say, the "mess he inherited." And also because thanks to his ineptitude, he has managed not to pass bad legislation that would, in fact, make a mess of the economy he inherited. The words I think you're looking for, Mr. Douthat, are "THANK YOU, PRESIDENT OBAMA!" And of course "Trump is better than we expected because we're not all dead yet."
1
He almost said thanks, but couldn't quite force it out. The habits of a lifetime are hard to break.
In a word : malevolence mitigated by incompetence.
235
The Dunning-Kruger effect is at work here. Too incompetent to know he is incompetent. I prefer the Carbonaro effect. Much more appealing.
As an European I'm of course first and foremost interested in the foreign policy of Mr. Trump. His non-military policy has shifted completely and seems to become a simple continuation the Department's of State policy over the last decades. That however is not my main concern. When it comes to the military policy of the new government it seems that the Pentagon and his generals are back in business. Both in Syria, Iraq and North-Korea the United States have adopted a much more aggressive approach than during the Obama-era. President Obama refrained from taking an aggressive military approach in many conflicts (with the exception of the continued American support for the Saudi intervention in Yemen). President Obama took also care that the American army couldn't undertake major operations without his consent. That has all completely disappeared: Mr. Trump seems to haven given the generals a free ride, much in contrast with the policies he advocated during his campaign. The 'Deep State' is once again in control and if that is such a positive evolution as Mr. Douthat seems to suggest, that remains to be seen.
Europe is worried, very worried.
Europe is worried, very worried.
3
This commentary brings to mind an Orson Well's monologue done on an episode of the "Smothers' Brothers Show". He used Genesis 1 Creation Story as a model for all the good things LBJ did for America; e.g. Civil Rights legislation. There were 7 laws named and after naming them, Orson would say with his authoritative voice, "And LBJ said at the end of the first day (and each subsequent day) this is good." But unlike the Genesis story, LBJ went on to create on the 8th day, the Escalation of the Viet Nam War. Like Faust, LBJ extended his reach too far, like Operation Market Garden in WW II, LBJ went a bridge too far, and in both instances failure and disaster resulted. With 45, he has begun on the 8th day of Creation and ignored and discounted the first 7 days. 45 started a bridge too far. It is not safe. Down right dangerous, especially for the poor, the invalid, the hungry, the homeless, all those served by science and sound education, the arts, and all those dependent upon clean and safe air, land, and water.
3
It will get worse
The taker state is firmly in charge and the new tax policy will starve the government of funds while this president plunges us into another war - this time throwing the Asian peninsular into chaos.
With republicans in charge - greed knows no boundaries.
The taker state is firmly in charge and the new tax policy will starve the government of funds while this president plunges us into another war - this time throwing the Asian peninsular into chaos.
With republicans in charge - greed knows no boundaries.
Actually, he HAS had one accomplishment that nobody at the Times is remarking on. Forget policy or actual governing. A lot of people voted for him because he promised to stick it in the eye of the establishment. He's been doing just that, such that we hardly have a conversation without tut-tutting about Trump. From what I read, his supporters see this and are delighted. As long as it's all about the show - read, as long as the economy is OK, no one has made health insurance worse, and we're not at war - he's doing great!
2
This is no time to take comfort in or celebrate an "it could be worse" situation. There is very little about this administration and its enablers, aside from procedural focus and mastery honed to its sharpest point, that is legitimately normal. Republicans are displaying their most extreme character with no shred remaining of their once-useful mask of normalcy. Trump's autocratic and self-serving persona is unmistakably and proudly presented. The single point of normalcy for Republicans and Trump, despite their spoken urgings, is patience. Republicans and this administration are like a constrictor which, having its prey fully and firmly within its coils, tightens itself as its prey exhales "it could be worse" with each of its remaining breaths. But there are defenses against a constrictor and I hope we're able to escape its threat before we lose our American consciousness.
3
It says a lot when the idea that "It Could Be Worse" is presented as a positive assessment of a Presidency. Does this mean we should all breathe a sigh of relief because the world is still in one piece, despite Donald Trump's best efforts?
The mention of the continued strength of the economy is a bit presumptuous. The economy was in the toilet when Bush left office. The intervening eight years brought it back to its current strength. Anything Trump has proposed has yet to take effect. If you want to hand out praise for the current prosperity, hand it to the Obama administration, who managed to rebuild the economy despite the virulent opposition of the Republicans.
The mention of the continued strength of the economy is a bit presumptuous. The economy was in the toilet when Bush left office. The intervening eight years brought it back to its current strength. Anything Trump has proposed has yet to take effect. If you want to hand out praise for the current prosperity, hand it to the Obama administration, who managed to rebuild the economy despite the virulent opposition of the Republicans.
3
In the spirit of this column, let me add one other hossana: the defining of the Trump base.
As measured by the body of polling generally, Trump's base appears to have peaked somewhere in the mid- to upper-30 percent. There's been no burst of support to jump on the Trump bandwagon. By the same token the remaining 2/3 have expressed opposition to Trump and his works, from the Wall to repeal-and-replace.
Aside from the usual suspects, there has been no mad dash to embrace the President simply because he's the President. That may be cold comfort but I'll take it.
As measured by the body of polling generally, Trump's base appears to have peaked somewhere in the mid- to upper-30 percent. There's been no burst of support to jump on the Trump bandwagon. By the same token the remaining 2/3 have expressed opposition to Trump and his works, from the Wall to repeal-and-replace.
Aside from the usual suspects, there has been no mad dash to embrace the President simply because he's the President. That may be cold comfort but I'll take it.
1
"thus far the anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
You mean the crazy madness that actually by itself was almost entirely responsible for ending the Vietnam War and for the impeachment of a criminal President? Sometimes it actually does take Sons of Liberty to protect freedom.
I'm still amazed ( and disgusted) after all these years on how many bitter oldsters are still secretly cheering the Kent State massacre, their one little victory of that period.
You mean the crazy madness that actually by itself was almost entirely responsible for ending the Vietnam War and for the impeachment of a criminal President? Sometimes it actually does take Sons of Liberty to protect freedom.
I'm still amazed ( and disgusted) after all these years on how many bitter oldsters are still secretly cheering the Kent State massacre, their one little victory of that period.
2
Factual error: There has been no "rapid falloff of illegal crossings" since Trump assumed office. The population of unauthorized immigrants in the United States has been falling gradually since 2007.
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/09/chart-day-7th-straight-yea...
Net migration from Mexico has been negative since 2008.
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/raw-data-illegal-immigrati...
The US population of unauthorized Mexicans specifically (versus unauthorized immigrants from other countries) has been dropping steadily for years:
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/11/illegal-immigration-mexico...
Some enlightening charts here, including some cited by K Drum.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/03/5-facts-about-illegal-im...
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/09/chart-day-7th-straight-yea...
Net migration from Mexico has been negative since 2008.
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/raw-data-illegal-immigrati...
The US population of unauthorized Mexicans specifically (versus unauthorized immigrants from other countries) has been dropping steadily for years:
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/11/illegal-immigration-mexico...
Some enlightening charts here, including some cited by K Drum.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/03/5-facts-about-illegal-im...
3
"Decent enough stock market"?
Talk about reluctant praise and typical anti-Trump bias. The market has been on a tear. Incredible especially given such low expectations. For example, Paul Krugman basically guaranteed the market would tank and we would fall into recession - just look back at his article the day after the election.
Talk about reluctant praise and typical anti-Trump bias. The market has been on a tear. Incredible especially given such low expectations. For example, Paul Krugman basically guaranteed the market would tank and we would fall into recession - just look back at his article the day after the election.
1
It could be worse. Maybe, but let’s not find out.
“Overall, the armed forces’ worldview — a status-quo bias plus doses of hard power — is hardly the worst imaginable vision for Trump to adopt. But where the president’s inability to back down from a big fight meets the military’s willingness to start a lot of small ones, [there is] the great peril of his presidency: not deliberate warmongering, but an accidental escalation that his generals encourage, and that the ultimate decider has no idea how to stop.”
“Overall, the armed forces’ worldview — a status-quo bias plus doses of hard power — is hardly the worst imaginable vision for Trump to adopt. But where the president’s inability to back down from a big fight meets the military’s willingness to start a lot of small ones, [there is] the great peril of his presidency: not deliberate warmongering, but an accidental escalation that his generals encourage, and that the ultimate decider has no idea how to stop.”
You seem to have overlooked the fact that Trump's executive orders, and his policies in general, will stop environmental improvement completely. This presidency, as it's going, will, without doubt, push climate change past the tipping point, after which no human effort will be able to stop, much less reverse, it. Many smaller civilizations have been utterly destroyed by changes in climate, rainfall or soil salinity. The Electoral College has ensured that ours will be next.
3
There's a case to make, I think, that what so-called good things have happened since Trump took office are in spite of him rather than because of him. People who were of good will and common sense before the election remain so. And let's not forget that the table was nicely set before the inauguration that gave Mr. Trump a springboard from which to glow or gloat. By example, come to where I live and I will show any number of "Now Hiring and Help Wanted" signs that were posted well in advance of the election, describing an economy that was heating up. For my part, Trump's first hundred days would have been better spent learning about how government works rather than roaring into office trying to convince his supporters that he knew what he was doing.
3
I live 10 miles from the Mexican border and I could not agree more. It is an achievement, and a welcome one. Make immigration legal, but make illegal immigration ILLEGAL.."The other (achievement) — a more provisional win, but still a striking one — is the rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border, seemingly driven more by the mere threat of tougher enforcement and increased deportations than by any dramatic policy shift.
This drop-off is a good thing, period, because it means that fewer people are undertaking a dangerous journey that falls afoul of United States law, and because it suggests that America might actually be able to establish more control over migration than many of our supposed wise men have long claimed. "
This drop-off is a good thing, period, because it means that fewer people are undertaking a dangerous journey that falls afoul of United States law, and because it suggests that America might actually be able to establish more control over migration than many of our supposed wise men have long claimed. "
We live in perilous times because our country elected President who does not have the experience needed to govern this country. He has spent his life serving himself and successfully acquiring personal wealth at the cost of many other people and businesses. Now, he must serve the people of the United States, he just doesn't know how to. I am certain that Donald Trump has learned a lot in the past 100 days. Yes, things could be worse but this train of thought will get us nowhere. We the People need to be vigilant. Daily, we must ask ourselves, what we can do to protect and the rights of ALL Americans, the environment, our public education system. We must invest in alternative energy systems. Daily, we must ask these questions and then ACT to protect the American Democracy for future generations.
3
It could be worse and it is even better yet that it will never happen for another Bush to be in there pretending to run the office. The big story of this presidency has been omitted and that is why an outsider to the political structure was chosen in the first place. From what has transpired up to now it's evident our governments checks and balances in place will insure the new president gets it right, and that will take more than that 100 day measurement we usually rely on.
I am looking forward with great anticipation to 100 days without him. Even one day without him would be a great relief.
3
The important question that Mr. Douthat is not asking is how will history see Mr. Trump.
And Mr. Douthat already knows the answer to that.
And Mr. Douthat already knows the answer to that.
"the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s." It would be interesting to hear what is meant by this. Slowly, it is getting into American's head that you have to politic or protest to get the legislation you want. Obama asked and did not get this level of involvement by citizens. Sanders has called for an army, so we will see how that goes. But the central lesson of Trump is not taking our freedom for granted; it is not given us solely for the purpose of honing our private world. You must also use freedom to work for the good of all. So yeah, we need more sixties not less, if by that we mean a citizenry that is engaged in politics, not just a consumer from the sidelines.
2
Yes, Mr. Douthat trump's first 100 days certainly could be worse. Far worse.
We could be at war with.... Take your pick. Or picks.
His health care bill could have been passed leaving millions of Americans without any possibility of insurance.
His budget defunding programs which assist the middle class and the poor could have been passed.
His tax cuts giving large breaks to corporations ,including his own (of course), and little to the average American could have been passed.
The wall could have been funded after millions of undocumented people were been deported.
Yessir. You are correct It sure could have been worse.
Unfortunately, he has many more 100 day periods to implement the above policies and lots of others before he leaves office.
We could be at war with.... Take your pick. Or picks.
His health care bill could have been passed leaving millions of Americans without any possibility of insurance.
His budget defunding programs which assist the middle class and the poor could have been passed.
His tax cuts giving large breaks to corporations ,including his own (of course), and little to the average American could have been passed.
The wall could have been funded after millions of undocumented people were been deported.
Yessir. You are correct It sure could have been worse.
Unfortunately, he has many more 100 day periods to implement the above policies and lots of others before he leaves office.
1
It concerns me that we've gone from Trump's promise of "winning" (which I never bought) to "it could be worse." If I thought the bar was low before...I was wrong.
1
Dear Readers, You will save much time thst you can use to read important and enjoyable pieces by stopping with Douthat's first sentence: "The first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency have not been exactly what you could call successful, by the standards that one would normally use to judge such things."
Except, with your permission, please allow me to add: The first 100 days have been anything but "successful."
Except, with your permission, please allow me to add: The first 100 days have been anything but "successful."
1
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the theater?
1
Sorry Ross, but the rest of us can't accept "it could be worse." The United States cannot afford four years of Donald Trump even if he fails to do any of the awful things he has said he wants to because he simply doesn't understand how our government works and can't make it work, for good or ill. Pick almost any big issue--I'll take climate change--and four, or God help us eight, years of no progress is still unacceptable. The day Americans become satisfied with "he didn't start a nuclear war and there's no rioting in the streets" is the day this country ceases to be great.
1
Based on Mr. Douthat's comments, I find myself resorting to Murphy Laws (philosophy): Smile... tomorrow will be worse.
1
"Good right-of-center legislation under Trump may be a pipe dream, but better no legislation at all than bad legislation, and with a Republican Party that’s both internally divided and incompetent at policy making"
The Trump win last November temporarily masked the state of disarray of the GOP but now the mask is off (again). In fact, "victory" for the Republicans has delayed much-needed self-reflection by Republicans. They have nearly unchecked power and they STILL can't get anything significant done.
The Trump win last November temporarily masked the state of disarray of the GOP but now the mask is off (again). In fact, "victory" for the Republicans has delayed much-needed self-reflection by Republicans. They have nearly unchecked power and they STILL can't get anything significant done.
Good points here, but missed the biggest way things could be worse. Trump could have started a nuclear war by now, and we'd all be dead, instantly or slowly. He even made two moves in that direction, firing missiles into Syria at a base that had Russian troops, and getting antagonistic with North Korea.
Both events could readily have spiraled up into nuclear war, if Russia or China had been as deranged about ignoring consequences as Trump is. Thankfully both nations seem far more rational, and we've avoided the end of humanity.
So in 2020, when Trump loses bigly and we get a rational president again, hopefully, my main relief is going to be that we avoided nuclear war and the end of humanity. Assuming we do, and terrifyingly, it's still a possibility that we won't.
Both events could readily have spiraled up into nuclear war, if Russia or China had been as deranged about ignoring consequences as Trump is. Thankfully both nations seem far more rational, and we've avoided the end of humanity.
So in 2020, when Trump loses bigly and we get a rational president again, hopefully, my main relief is going to be that we avoided nuclear war and the end of humanity. Assuming we do, and terrifyingly, it's still a possibility that we won't.
1
Say what you will but Mr. Trump is exactly what this country needs no matter what the children on the left say. The country knows it too, just look at the poll that came out last week showing that if the election were held today, not only would he win the electoral vote but he would win the popular vote as well. The people are finally waking up and America is bouncing back. Hallelujah!
The resistance is working.
As Margaret Mead once observed: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
And he's been an ineffective president. The courts stepped in and resisted.
He has little to show for in 100 days. Neither popular, nor having a mandate, his own party remains skeptical of him.
Mike Flynn and Carter Page are under the microscope in a more bipartisan lab.
The president's allies Nunes and Sessions---forced to recuse themselves.
The administration's repeal of Obamacare--- failed miserably.
Ordinary Americans publicly confronting their congress reps at town halls.
One after the other. And people filling the streets repeatedly since the election. Informed, engaged and vocal-----taking it to the streets for a more compassionate nation.
As some of the administration's most wretchedly anti-progressive policies have now been blocked.
Hashtag GrabYourWallet results in stores discontinuing the Trump brand.
He's even lost Limbaugh and O'Reilly.
As Margaret Mead once observed: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
And he's been an ineffective president. The courts stepped in and resisted.
He has little to show for in 100 days. Neither popular, nor having a mandate, his own party remains skeptical of him.
Mike Flynn and Carter Page are under the microscope in a more bipartisan lab.
The president's allies Nunes and Sessions---forced to recuse themselves.
The administration's repeal of Obamacare--- failed miserably.
Ordinary Americans publicly confronting their congress reps at town halls.
One after the other. And people filling the streets repeatedly since the election. Informed, engaged and vocal-----taking it to the streets for a more compassionate nation.
As some of the administration's most wretchedly anti-progressive policies have now been blocked.
Hashtag GrabYourWallet results in stores discontinuing the Trump brand.
He's even lost Limbaugh and O'Reilly.
1
Ross Douthat's contention that Trump's "immediate circle of advisers has, well, normallized to a certain extent" overlooks the president's most blatant un-normal advisers: daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner. What is even sort of, kind of, well, "normal" about these family members as the closest of all to Trump? Trusted, yes; skilled, no.
1
It could be worse. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Trump's first 100 days. But Ross nicely sums up why worse is the only possible direction where we're headed -- "Only about 1,360 days to go."
Nearly all of the reasons it hasn't been worse are that he didn't manage to do much. The "two real achievements" are (1) handing the Supreme Court back to the radical right-wing "Christian" corporatists, so we can see more rulings like Citizen's United, handing our government over to the highest bidders, and giving fundamentalist "Christians" more power to impose their religious views on others; and (2) making the country so hostile to potential immigrants that no one wants to come here anymore. There are historic examples of this strategy, which I won't mention.
So, he hasn't actually damaged the economy--yet. He hasn't actually reversed the long run of job growth--yet. The "anti-trump" side hasn't gone mad--yet. Actually, here the proper comparison should be the "tea party's" irrational hatred for President Obama, not the anti-war movement of the 60's and 70's.
Yes, Ross, I agree: It could be worse.
So, he hasn't actually damaged the economy--yet. He hasn't actually reversed the long run of job growth--yet. The "anti-trump" side hasn't gone mad--yet. Actually, here the proper comparison should be the "tea party's" irrational hatred for President Obama, not the anti-war movement of the 60's and 70's.
Yes, Ross, I agree: It could be worse.
I just wonder how the response would be if President Obama produced these types of results 100 days in.
I'm afraid that the U.S. MSM, as well as the Times, has been the main factor in lulling the American people into the deluded sense that, "It could be worse" --- or as some critics say "Normalizing" both this insanely dangerous Emperor Trump, and the preceding panoply of lesser faux Emperors over the last NINE cycles of 'least worst voting', to the point that we have now stooped to the 'worstest'.
This slow slide, instead of the sudden change in 1933 Germany, principally enabled by the media/propaganda-sector of this metastasizing Disguised Global Capitalist EMPIRE, will someday be recognized by 'we the people' of America as the seminal slippery slope that led to our enslavement.
"Great job, free press"
This slow slide, instead of the sudden change in 1933 Germany, principally enabled by the media/propaganda-sector of this metastasizing Disguised Global Capitalist EMPIRE, will someday be recognized by 'we the people' of America as the seminal slippery slope that led to our enslavement.
"Great job, free press"
1
The Times has too many Trump apologists on its payroll. History will record its complicity.
1
It could be worse. Sure, we are still alive. For now.
1
Yes ... it could be worse ... but, then again ... it never has. HELLO!
Jason Chaffetz should be impeached if he does not follow through on Flynn.
The White House cannot be above the law and still be called a Presidency, it is a dictatorship. If the House of Representatives and the Senate will not hold the Presidency to account it is game over, an existence proof for how democracy ends.
The White House cannot be above the law and still be called a Presidency, it is a dictatorship. If the House of Representatives and the Senate will not hold the Presidency to account it is game over, an existence proof for how democracy ends.
1
I just hope we all live through this.
1
Your information on declining immigration is skewed, Mr. Douthat. It has been declining for years, as has the ratio of illegal immigrants to total US population. What you interpret as a result of Trump's presidency is just another Obama benchmark that has continued its course, like the improvement of the economy.
1
It could be worse? Here's the thing Ross: it's going to get worse. Things always happen. This administration has shown no evidence that they are prepared to respond in anything like a positive way when it does. So your message doesn't reassure anyone.
Ross Douthat, I hope you didn't hurt yourself twisting into such an untenable position. That we have a President Trump is painful enough without pundits straining to somehow make him even remotely legitimate. The conflicts of interest rife in the Trump kleptocratic administration alone would have impeachment proceedings underway for any other POTUS. He has waffled and flip-flopped with astounding regularity, but we are meant to be pleased by his Defense Department. Weak, weak arguments. The only possible light at the end of this dank, scary tunnel is Dems potentially getting their act together.
Do any of Douthat's worst fears relate to climate change and guns? Some of mine do, and the future doesn't look good on those fronts. Gorsuch has yet to participate in a ruling, but when he does weigh in on those issues I'm afraid one of Trump's so-called achievements is going to look like a disaster.
1
For the most part, the anarchists in Berkeley are not college students, and the far left has not hijacked progressive politics like the motley crew of rasict / corporatist / fundamentalist apologists for ignorance and fearmongering have with the Republican party, a process that began long before Trump, facilitated by courtesans like Ross Douthat.
1
It could be worse? Spoken like a man of privilege with little to no clue about the values that matter to many of us; Russian attack on our country, Planned Parenthood, the EPA, etc.
1
Yes, it could be worse...and it will be.
As someone who sees no social redeeming value in #45 I applaud Ross Douthat's fair comment. Indeed, it could be worse.
Cheer up, he said. Things could be worse. So I cheered up, and sure enough . . .
The success of the "rapid falloff of illegal crossings on the southern border" is accompanied by a severe reduction of tourism to the US. We could be working on changing the laws to allow hard working immigrants (always the backbone of America) to be assimilated into our economy. This anti immigrant policy will hurt us economically. What are Trump fans going to say four years from now when their lives are worse instead of better? A working man voting Republican is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.
The Trump "win" on threats lowering illegal immigration comes at a huge cost: perceptions that the U.S. is an unwelcoming country. Foreign student applications to our top universities are down 30%, which has negative financial consequences for private and public Higher Ed. It also dampens immigration of top talent in technology, science and medicine, which hurts start ups and innovation. Finally, this anti-immigration stance has a negative effect in tourism, which is down 15%. Trump's policies have not stalled the economy yet, but is it only a matter of time before they do so?
101
Sure, it could always be worse, but at this extremely critical time globally we have a President who must be the most temperamentally unsuitable, inexperienced and willfully ignorant person to assume the role in history. Mr. Doubthat don't make light of it – his performance and that of his Republican cohorts so far has been nothing short of a shambolic mess.
4
This author's idea of Republican is not Eisenhower, it is Harding, Hoover, and Taft. That is what Coolidge did.
Taft is little remembered to day, but he was a rabid opponent of the New Deal, siding with all of Hoover's mistakes, and was finally sidelined when abandoned by Eisenhower.
He is siding with the failed, and the crazies who wanted to do it again anyway.
We can only hope that Trump is not as crazy as this author, or Taft.
Taft is little remembered to day, but he was a rabid opponent of the New Deal, siding with all of Hoover's mistakes, and was finally sidelined when abandoned by Eisenhower.
He is siding with the failed, and the crazies who wanted to do it again anyway.
We can only hope that Trump is not as crazy as this author, or Taft.
4
"Of course any thanksgiving is highly provisional. One hundred days is nothing, and the Trump White House has not yet faced the kind of challenge, domestic or foreign, in which a thoughtless response from the president could lead to spiraling disaster. "
Exactly. Trump has not shown the sort of restraint or self control expected from a president. He uses Twitter to say things that ought to be said behind the scenes. He hasn't managed to pass any legislation to improve our lives. Indeed, his sole interest which aligns quite nicely with the GOP mantra, is repealing and not replacing what are viewed as onerous regulations, some of which protect Americans, the land, the environment, and drinking water. He seems to be on the way to becoming the Commander In Chaos rather than the Commander in Chief.
He has not behaved ethically. The GOP, which would have been swift in their condemnation of Clinton had she put Flynn into a position of responsibility, has done somersaults to accommodate Trump on this. Their conduct, more than that of Trump, is cause for concern because they are not at all alarmed at the complete lack of ethics among his nominees. And then there's Gorsuch. That's not Trump's fault: that's the result of the GOP's unprincipled and malignant disrespect for Obama who was the people's choice. I wouldn't count his winning the nomination as a success.
There's room for some sighs of relief but we don't know what's next.
Exactly. Trump has not shown the sort of restraint or self control expected from a president. He uses Twitter to say things that ought to be said behind the scenes. He hasn't managed to pass any legislation to improve our lives. Indeed, his sole interest which aligns quite nicely with the GOP mantra, is repealing and not replacing what are viewed as onerous regulations, some of which protect Americans, the land, the environment, and drinking water. He seems to be on the way to becoming the Commander In Chaos rather than the Commander in Chief.
He has not behaved ethically. The GOP, which would have been swift in their condemnation of Clinton had she put Flynn into a position of responsibility, has done somersaults to accommodate Trump on this. Their conduct, more than that of Trump, is cause for concern because they are not at all alarmed at the complete lack of ethics among his nominees. And then there's Gorsuch. That's not Trump's fault: that's the result of the GOP's unprincipled and malignant disrespect for Obama who was the people's choice. I wouldn't count his winning the nomination as a success.
There's room for some sighs of relief but we don't know what's next.
14
It could be and will be worse. The stock market will return to the original prediction of (at least) a 10% fall. There is no magic demand that will appear that will sustain a rise. The companies will continue to do better by ripping off its
customers and employees.
There will be a spontaneous and fateful mistake made that will plunge us into war before his term is out. The military situation will justify not having an election. Or his followers will prevent anti-Trumpers from voting.
I was hoping there was enough integrity left in the Republican party to actually do a real investigation into the Russian collusion, but that is becoming doubtful.
customers and employees.
There will be a spontaneous and fateful mistake made that will plunge us into war before his term is out. The military situation will justify not having an election. Or his followers will prevent anti-Trumpers from voting.
I was hoping there was enough integrity left in the Republican party to actually do a real investigation into the Russian collusion, but that is becoming doubtful.
11
Sorry. It's hard to be enthusiastic when all you get is the assurance that "It could be worse"...
10
Yes, that is why Hillary lost too.
2
No. Hillary lost because of the antiquated Electoral College system, and unassuming voters who are only just now realizing what a bad choice they've made.
But I hand it to you, Mr. Thomason, for still trying to twist the narrative.
Hope you have good Health Insurance.
But I hand it to you, Mr. Thomason, for still trying to twist the narrative.
Hope you have good Health Insurance.
1
It is very likely going to get worse when we see the results of what Trump and his gang of GOP political hacks have already done-- allowing companies to dump toxins into rivers and streams, a law that allows mentally ill people to buy guns, a law that allows the sale of our Internet privacy, a cabinet full of people who have no competence in their area of responsibility, a Supreme Court injustice who is a recipient of stolen goods, approval of Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines, and on top of this, an illegal air strike on a sovereign nation that has not attacked the United States decided between the main course and chocolate cake with the leader of China.
Not only are undocumented immigrants not coming, but international college students are choosing to study elsewhere because they do not want to bother with a toxic, xenophobic atmosphere that Trumpism encourages.
Let us hope that the Resistance is effective and that we can get a veto proof Democratically controlled Congress in 2018.
Not only are undocumented immigrants not coming, but international college students are choosing to study elsewhere because they do not want to bother with a toxic, xenophobic atmosphere that Trumpism encourages.
Let us hope that the Resistance is effective and that we can get a veto proof Democratically controlled Congress in 2018.
19
So, in essence, one can say that the best thing that Trump has done for the country is to fail as a President so far. It seems that his only "accomplishments" are making things worse (air and water quality, immigration policy, and a super conservative supreme court justice).
5
Hmm:
"...but still, we should be grateful that James Mattis and H. R. McMaster will be giving that advice instead."
Nah.
"but still, we should [slightly relieved] that James Mattis and H. R. McMaster will be giving that advice instead. Grateful is still too much to ask for.
And:
"...thus far the anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
That is, despite excesses that occurred, a pretty irresponsible statement. The Civil Rights Act and the (lately edulcorated, predicably leading to exclusionary movements) Voting Rights were passed into law in the 1960's. The anti-war movement was potent in truncating a futile and murderous, and not even proxy, neo-imperialist war in the 1960's-'70's. It got violent, it got ugly; but it was a good thing.
Alice Paul's Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution almost got ratified in the 1970's. More's the pity it did not, as that Amendment, which did not try to legislate morality but rather equality, would have freed the United States Supreme Court from a lot of recent low-quality exchange.
I could go on!
Sometimes, Ross, you sound as though you were only born in 1979 or something, have ingurgitated more propaganda than History about the recent American past and have an axe to grind.
Constitutional checks and balances among the three branches of American government, and Republicans in disarray, have prevented a rash, uninformed Trump from doing harm.
"...but still, we should be grateful that James Mattis and H. R. McMaster will be giving that advice instead."
Nah.
"but still, we should [slightly relieved] that James Mattis and H. R. McMaster will be giving that advice instead. Grateful is still too much to ask for.
And:
"...thus far the anti-Trump side has not yet fallen into the kind of madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
That is, despite excesses that occurred, a pretty irresponsible statement. The Civil Rights Act and the (lately edulcorated, predicably leading to exclusionary movements) Voting Rights were passed into law in the 1960's. The anti-war movement was potent in truncating a futile and murderous, and not even proxy, neo-imperialist war in the 1960's-'70's. It got violent, it got ugly; but it was a good thing.
Alice Paul's Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution almost got ratified in the 1970's. More's the pity it did not, as that Amendment, which did not try to legislate morality but rather equality, would have freed the United States Supreme Court from a lot of recent low-quality exchange.
I could go on!
Sometimes, Ross, you sound as though you were only born in 1979 or something, have ingurgitated more propaganda than History about the recent American past and have an axe to grind.
Constitutional checks and balances among the three branches of American government, and Republicans in disarray, have prevented a rash, uninformed Trump from doing harm.
21
On the other hand, if you mean the CIA-backed Bay of Pigs invasion, or if you mean the CIA-backed coup that overthrew and murdered Salvador Allende, and set the bloody dictator Pinochet up in power, then yeah: "...madness that swept through our politics in the 1960s and 1970s."
1
Trump, Ivanka and Jared lead the way in profiteering and spurring personal business through elected office making a mockery of the US throughout the world. China asked Trump to tone stop baiting N. Korea by sending an "Armada" there; but don't worry warmongerers--Trump is bombing Afghanistan with the MOAB's and Syria---while increasing military involvement elsewhere without informing the public. So far no policy Tweets have enlightened us. Possible trade wars with our two neighbors loom, Canada and Mexico, and our other allies are worried.
Flynn was sitting in on top secret briefings while the undeclared agent for two foreign countries. The inauguration cash is unaccounted for in part and the admin has no way of knowing that some of it didn't come from foreign countries. (But, of course, bribing Trump is possible in multiple ways as he maintains his businesses-nominally in a trust-- while in office with no accountability.) And Congress? They are enamored of "Don't ask, don't tell"--the only explanation as to why they are disinterested in knowing whether Trump is compromised fiscally by another country possibly to a traitorous extent. The GOP Congress is refusing to perform serious oversight as mandated by the Constitution. And Trump has given over most of the Presidential portfolio to his son-in-law Jared--inexperienced, and apparently with nothing to say.
Not to mention, the entire Congress is eager to dismiss ethical constraints entirely.
Flynn was sitting in on top secret briefings while the undeclared agent for two foreign countries. The inauguration cash is unaccounted for in part and the admin has no way of knowing that some of it didn't come from foreign countries. (But, of course, bribing Trump is possible in multiple ways as he maintains his businesses-nominally in a trust-- while in office with no accountability.) And Congress? They are enamored of "Don't ask, don't tell"--the only explanation as to why they are disinterested in knowing whether Trump is compromised fiscally by another country possibly to a traitorous extent. The GOP Congress is refusing to perform serious oversight as mandated by the Constitution. And Trump has given over most of the Presidential portfolio to his son-in-law Jared--inexperienced, and apparently with nothing to say.
Not to mention, the entire Congress is eager to dismiss ethical constraints entirely.
10
Ugh. I can't believe we're back to "misunderestimating" a president, using such a low bar that his not blowing the world up in his first 100 days is a good sign.
I think about Warren Buffet's "Buy low, sell high" mantra about the stock market. This requires courage to go against one's instinct and buy stocks when the market is weak. So it is the same in eras where fear is intense. It is in those times that it is even more imperative that we act with courage and not give in to that fear, to not recoil and hide under our beds and bring in authoritarian, isolationist leaders. It's times like these, that we actually must force ourselves to go the other way, to join forces (not military but attitudinal) with the rest of the civilized world to defeat those creating the terror and unstable economic conditions in order to fight back. Capitulating to that fear and insecurity by isolating ourselves and those under similar threats and believing tough talking authoritarian "leaders" who play on our fear by presenting a black-and-white/good v. bad worldview and promising to eradicate the bad via their bluster and reigning so much fear and mortar down that the enemy will be obliterated in a matter of minutes, unlike the sissies who tiptoed around them before", is the biggest mistake we can make, and we have fallen right into that trap. It's these times we must have the courage to go against our instincts and show more courage, more unity, more good, more empathy.
I think about Warren Buffet's "Buy low, sell high" mantra about the stock market. This requires courage to go against one's instinct and buy stocks when the market is weak. So it is the same in eras where fear is intense. It is in those times that it is even more imperative that we act with courage and not give in to that fear, to not recoil and hide under our beds and bring in authoritarian, isolationist leaders. It's times like these, that we actually must force ourselves to go the other way, to join forces (not military but attitudinal) with the rest of the civilized world to defeat those creating the terror and unstable economic conditions in order to fight back. Capitulating to that fear and insecurity by isolating ourselves and those under similar threats and believing tough talking authoritarian "leaders" who play on our fear by presenting a black-and-white/good v. bad worldview and promising to eradicate the bad via their bluster and reigning so much fear and mortar down that the enemy will be obliterated in a matter of minutes, unlike the sissies who tiptoed around them before", is the biggest mistake we can make, and we have fallen right into that trap. It's these times we must have the courage to go against our instincts and show more courage, more unity, more good, more empathy.
2
Caught an interview on CNN with Steve Balmer prior CEO of Microsoft and his current effort to develop a database to let Americans understand what the federal government is made up of and what it accomplishes. It is so big it is amazing and therefore a morass. Another way of explaining, our Democracy is not functioning. WW 2 expansion, and the world experiment with globalization is over and simply leaves us with muted GDP. Am sure we will find the US government, referred to as the swamp, is much more influential than a sitting President, no matter what his polices. Trump is neither a Republican or a Democrat, steeped in a two party system, equals dysfunction. Something we witnessed the past eight years.
1
Immigration rates were lowering every year under Obama, it didnt start with Trump. The economy was never very strong because the republicans in congress refused to work with Obama so many things he wanted to do to improve our economy went undone - infrastructure improvements. Having a complete control of congress is scary to those of us with charitable hearts - what else are they going to take away from the old, poor and disabled? Gorsuch was no big deal, they had to change the rules to get him through. But I agree with Ross, it is going to get much worse.
9
Just to be clear: the "madness that swept through our politics" in the 60s and 70s was not just the "madness" of the Left. It was also the madness of the Right that embroiled us in an unwinnable war, lying about it, and then, presaging Trump, offering up the shiny bauble of "law and order" that initiated a nightmare that has become our system of justice. The "madness" of the Left seems in context to be understandable. If this buffoon continues on the spasmodic reactionary path he is on, I don't feel sanguine about events staying nonviolent.
8
In our region detaining farmworkers who work on dairy farms in detention centers with no clear knowledge of why they are being detained (some had stays which are ignored by ICE) or what will happen to them is beginning to wreck havoc on the farmworker community. Who will replace them? Few people want to work 12 hour days 7 days a week in substandard housing for little money. Farmers have tried to bring unemployed citizens to work on a farm and cannot get people willing to work like that. Trump wants to put in the temporary worker program where they will have even fewer rights. Cruelty has consequences
In addition, Trump is destroying many environmental protections, etc. etc. I see no silver lining.
In addition, Trump is destroying many environmental protections, etc. etc. I see no silver lining.
4
Hope for optimism in nothing getting done is great except Trump has already set a course on world destruction. He has use the EPA or what's left of it, to dismantle environmental policies to reduce green house gases. He has made climate research and science taboo. Data is even suppressed. He recently stopped development and deployment of satellites useful to climate scientist.
There are other areas he has meddled with but there is not enough space to mention them. You, as informed readers probably know of many. His executive orders, some in secret, will continue to be released much to our detriment.
Trump is slowly destroying policies and regulations made to protect you with thousands of cuts. Eventually the bleeding will kill. Watch closely and speak up for the well being of your circle of friends and family. Good luck.
There are other areas he has meddled with but there is not enough space to mention them. You, as informed readers probably know of many. His executive orders, some in secret, will continue to be released much to our detriment.
Trump is slowly destroying policies and regulations made to protect you with thousands of cuts. Eventually the bleeding will kill. Watch closely and speak up for the well being of your circle of friends and family. Good luck.
3
Panglossian, Ross, panglossian. What is really sad is how hard you have to work to come up with ANYTHING positive. Of the "Five Positives" (vaguely Maoist), three - 1, 2 and 5 - are Sherlockian, problems which didn't happen. On the third positive, Trump's personnel choices, you may be Jared (and Ivanka'ed) by things to come.
On the fourth, the jury is way still out on Gorsuch and a lot of people will think this an historic mistake if his decisions are like, well, his decisions. On immigration, there may be a fall off, but that is a factor of much more than Trumpfallism and bombast.
As you say, only 1360 days to go! May who, or what, help us all!
On the fourth, the jury is way still out on Gorsuch and a lot of people will think this an historic mistake if his decisions are like, well, his decisions. On immigration, there may be a fall off, but that is a factor of much more than Trumpfallism and bombast.
As you say, only 1360 days to go! May who, or what, help us all!
4
The Republican mantra is always "it could be worse." The issue is that "worse" would mean that the right wing's stupidity would have actually made it into law. So yes, Ross, it could be worse. How is that a governing slogan again?
2
Interesting perspective and I guess there was some positives in the fact that not everyone on the Titanic died as well.
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Yes, it could be *much* worse ... but that's not much of a mandate for a second term (God forbid).
And even without a war in the Korean peninsula, the fact that the stock market rose and the cities didn’t burn during Trump’s first weeks in office does not look like that much of an achievement.
And even without a war in the Korean peninsula, the fact that the stock market rose and the cities didn’t burn during Trump’s first weeks in office does not look like that much of an achievement.
This is one of my greatest fears -- that Trump's lying, cheating, immature, narcissistic, dangerous, and offensive ways are merely accepted as "the new normal." After all, how much of his wrestling match with the media (for one thing) can we take?
And before anyone takes solace in the fact that he's the one who's crazy and not us -- much of the analysis is based on political polling which we now know (too late) is anything but infallible, and apparently the Democratic party doesn't have many solid players on its bench either.
And before anyone takes solace in the fact that he's the one who's crazy and not us -- much of the analysis is based on political polling which we now know (too late) is anything but infallible, and apparently the Democratic party doesn't have many solid players on its bench either.
4
In electing Trump, America and Americans are witnessing the beginning of a huge mistake, possibly a deadly mistake, that we will have to live with for a long time. It is the mistake of a super power armed to the teeth and led by someone completely incompetent trying inflict his will on a country and a world to which he is utterly tone deaf.
Somehow the uptick in anti-semitic episodes since the inauguration doesn't seem to enter in Ross' galaxy.Ditto for other hate based events. Yes, it could be worse. It can always be worse but right now it's worse than it has been in a long time and I don't see it getting better. For heaven sakes Ross, own up to the disaster.
4
The so-called writer mentioned the 1960-70's rage but he left out the part about THE Situation in our country of young men going off to an unpopular war, more poverty than today, more racism, and the Congress was not controlled by one party because we still had two parties then. So, if this column gave praise of the Crazy Man make it faint or little praise.
2
Just thinking out loud... Has anybody seen Rex Tillerson?
3
It's not a matter of if, only a matter of when. If you've read this morning's paper, you know that the Laffer curve is back. Now, any delusion is possible.
Ah yes, Stolen-seat Gorsuch. Hard fought win for trump, not. Somebody in the party told him to nominate this guy. Then mcconnell gets rid of the filibuster. We then have the kangaroo hearing, and voila, seat stolen.
Stolen-seat Gorsuch is tainted, demonstrating to the world that he lacks any sense of honor, integrity, or any kind of moral compass.
Ah yes, the crazy liberal 60's and 70's. Having a very low draft number and the US having a half million soldiers engaged in an amoral and pointless war in Vietnam can have the effect of making one a little crazy.
Then as today, one of the precious few groups possessing a moral compass in this country are college students. Where was the only outrage for the Vietnam war? Where is the outrage today for the extremely bigoted and the seriously deluded ideological provocative fanatics such as Coulter and (gag every time i say it) Milo? To paraphrase an old cliche: fight crazy with crazy.
Stolen-seat Gorsuch is tainted, demonstrating to the world that he lacks any sense of honor, integrity, or any kind of moral compass.
Ah yes, the crazy liberal 60's and 70's. Having a very low draft number and the US having a half million soldiers engaged in an amoral and pointless war in Vietnam can have the effect of making one a little crazy.
Then as today, one of the precious few groups possessing a moral compass in this country are college students. Where was the only outrage for the Vietnam war? Where is the outrage today for the extremely bigoted and the seriously deluded ideological provocative fanatics such as Coulter and (gag every time i say it) Milo? To paraphrase an old cliche: fight crazy with crazy.
Not only is it painfully clear that this administration has no idea what legislation it would like pass, it's painfully clear that this administration has no clue as to the simple lessons from Civics 101, on the process of how legislation is actually crafted and then passed.
Instead it seems the administration believes it's job is to craft and sign meaningless executive orders while wearing a stupid "Make AmericaGreat Again" hat, call it the greatest thing ever in the history of the world, then fly down to Mar-a-Lago and play golf.
Instead it seems the administration believes it's job is to craft and sign meaningless executive orders while wearing a stupid "Make AmericaGreat Again" hat, call it the greatest thing ever in the history of the world, then fly down to Mar-a-Lago and play golf.
2
Neil Gorsuch was a McConnell win, not a Trump win. So, basically, the President has nothing to show for his first 100 days except for tons of Executive Orders (the most consequential of which are already being blocked by courts).
1
A very sensible assessment. Very.
1
Yes, sensible, in an alternate reality.
Sure, we all can be generous by saying that the Senate confirmation of Gorsuch was an achievement, but since the GOP is in the majority, and had to use the nuclear option, it's a half-achievement in my view. Every other proposal advanced by this administration, headed by the way, by a man unfit for the position, can not be called "mission accomplished." Border crossing numbers have been in decline for years now, and all it took was a president who displays fits of anger and rage at the slightest provocation. Reversing executive orders like a baseball manager who changes his batting lineup on a daily basis, can not be called an achievement. The bar has been set so low for this president that a successful Easter egg roll is considered one of the highlights of his administration. Who can take another 1,360 days of this? Ugh.
2
We have a malevolent, unethical, inexperienced, thin-skinned and narcissistic president. It really could not be worse. To wit: When there should be serious discussion of strategic responses to the North Korea situation, there is inflammatory and unconsidered rhetoric; who knows what today's summoning all 100 senators to the White House" is all about.
And how can you, in good concience, point to the decline in illegal border crossings as an achievement. They were already at the lowest rate in recent times. They may be lower now, but at what cost? During the campaign the headlines should have read "Border Crossings at Lowest Rate in Years" with tiny sub-headline "some candidates unaware". That would have been responsible journalism. Never to late to start.
And how can you, in good concience, point to the decline in illegal border crossings as an achievement. They were already at the lowest rate in recent times. They may be lower now, but at what cost? During the campaign the headlines should have read "Border Crossings at Lowest Rate in Years" with tiny sub-headline "some candidates unaware". That would have been responsible journalism. Never to late to start.
1
Things are going great because we aren't in a nuclear winter--yet.
Illegal immigration wouldn't be what it is if there weren't jobs for them. They're not stupid. Why didn't Trump go after his buddies, the Job Creators?
My lord, I actually agree with Ross, although these silver linings are so faint that melted down they'd be smaller than a nickle. The tone of this piece seems to be "at least the world hasn't ended." That is true; America's design tends to paper over the worst that any single individual in government can do. What I worry about is that Trump has set expectations so low that since Satisfaction = Perception - Expectations that this stumble bum will be celebrated for the most innocuous and indirect of successes.
Now that Canada has moved to the top of the list along with Mexico and China in being the archenemy of American workers might I be allowed to celebrate the Trump Presidency.
"The Nation of Laws" is proving to be as Orwellian as "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave."
Our economy has been built with the idea that the USA would live up to its word and suddenly the US has a President who is unabashed in his belief that laws and treaties are meaningless in US World.
The 20% tariff on softwood lumber follows defeats for US lumber interests in the courts. The seventy five Wisconsin farmers who insist Canada is unfair because it chooses to protect the interests of our farmers rather the interests of large dairy corporations seems to me both ignorant and self defeating.
The world will adjust to the fact that the word of the USA is meaningless and that what when Trump said "us first" he really meant it even if it proved to the world the most powerful military and political force on the planet should not be trusted. We also know that Neil Gorsuch is not a Justice we watch our Supreme Court on television and we know what it means to listen to the evidence. Mr Gorsuch is a fine addition to the US Court of Inquisition. Ross, 15th century Spain may be your idea of Heaven but I am a simple justice loving and science believing Jew and it was Spain's much earlier inquisition my ancestors were lucky enough to escape.
"The Nation of Laws" is proving to be as Orwellian as "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave."
Our economy has been built with the idea that the USA would live up to its word and suddenly the US has a President who is unabashed in his belief that laws and treaties are meaningless in US World.
The 20% tariff on softwood lumber follows defeats for US lumber interests in the courts. The seventy five Wisconsin farmers who insist Canada is unfair because it chooses to protect the interests of our farmers rather the interests of large dairy corporations seems to me both ignorant and self defeating.
The world will adjust to the fact that the word of the USA is meaningless and that what when Trump said "us first" he really meant it even if it proved to the world the most powerful military and political force on the planet should not be trusted. We also know that Neil Gorsuch is not a Justice we watch our Supreme Court on television and we know what it means to listen to the evidence. Mr Gorsuch is a fine addition to the US Court of Inquisition. Ross, 15th century Spain may be your idea of Heaven but I am a simple justice loving and science believing Jew and it was Spain's much earlier inquisition my ancestors were lucky enough to escape.
3
Moe, what is truly astonishing is Trump going after our only friend and most equal trading partner Canada while he backs off on the big things he was going to do for American workers by enacting tariffs on China, Mexico and their ilk. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the deals he, his daughter and his cronies in the garment business are going there. There is no longer even an attempt to hide the rip off of the middle class, what you see is what you get Government by Goldman Sachs and the one percent.
1
Well, he has backed off on all the Twitter nonsense, since that seems to have gotten him in trouble more than it's worth. Employment as a Trump impersonator has been on the upswing, and late-night television is rich with Trump jokes. I'm sure his golf game has improved since he takes so much time playing down in Florida. His kids have good jobs, and we all like it when our kids do well. He now knows the White House well enough to have friends like Sarah Palin stop by for a tour. Ya, things are just great.
2
The view that no disasters have yet to strike in the reign of 45 demonstrates total and complete blindness to the fact that we are presently facing the greatest disaster in human history-global warming/climate change. Unfortunately 45 is showing how he handles disasters (one of his favorite words), by denying and ignoring reality. Yes, it is worse than he and his congressional synchophants "believe" and without a doubt it will be worse.
3
1. The economy is ok because Trump failed to repeal the ACA, and because Obama's economy is still in place. The stock market is living on hot air and speculation.
2. Again, Obamacare is still there.
3. Personnel choices like Pruitt, MacMahun, Perry, Price, DeVos, Carson, Sessions, and EXXON's own Tillerson are grossly compromised, unqualified, incompetent, or dangerous. Remember there are 4 former Trump buddies under investigation by the FBI for Russian money issues.
4. The Garland, Obama insult Gorsuch is of dubious credibility. Immigration dropped precipitously during the Obama Administration.
5. Rejection of Milo Yiannopoulos or Murray are not the mad raving of the Koch funded Tea Party and given the positions of these two stellar representatives may is considered an act of free speech. Repugnance is an element that Republicans cannot justify especially in context with Trump who is personally disgusting. Trump is the last test of tolerance.
What is most evident is the fact that many more of Trump's supporters are deplorable than anyone imagined. Rational persons need not consider Trump supporters rational. Trump supporters are worse than deplorable they are irrational. Climate denial, rejection of science, restoration of pollution and global warming industries and practices, defense of sexual abusers and abuse, working with and for a foreign dictator, pimping his office are irrational. We may not have to endure 1,360 more days if the investigations are completed.
2. Again, Obamacare is still there.
3. Personnel choices like Pruitt, MacMahun, Perry, Price, DeVos, Carson, Sessions, and EXXON's own Tillerson are grossly compromised, unqualified, incompetent, or dangerous. Remember there are 4 former Trump buddies under investigation by the FBI for Russian money issues.
4. The Garland, Obama insult Gorsuch is of dubious credibility. Immigration dropped precipitously during the Obama Administration.
5. Rejection of Milo Yiannopoulos or Murray are not the mad raving of the Koch funded Tea Party and given the positions of these two stellar representatives may is considered an act of free speech. Repugnance is an element that Republicans cannot justify especially in context with Trump who is personally disgusting. Trump is the last test of tolerance.
What is most evident is the fact that many more of Trump's supporters are deplorable than anyone imagined. Rational persons need not consider Trump supporters rational. Trump supporters are worse than deplorable they are irrational. Climate denial, rejection of science, restoration of pollution and global warming industries and practices, defense of sexual abusers and abuse, working with and for a foreign dictator, pimping his office are irrational. We may not have to endure 1,360 more days if the investigations are completed.
2
I am relieved that Ross Douthat, a devout conservative, makes the case for Trump on the basis of it could really be even worse--suppose his so-called health care reform bill had passed. Heaven help this nation, alas, when we are considered to be alright since even worse things did not happen. Truth is, Trump is a dangerous fraud, a xenophobic, misogynist, racist who knows nothing about public policy and appoints vile conflict-ridden people to agencies intent to destroy them.
We are in deep trouble!
We are in deep trouble!
2
Ross, you forgot the 6th good thing ...that there are still Trump apologists around that can see the silver lining in a dumpster fire of a presidency.
3
This is a reasonable analysis.
The problem: while panic is never good, on the other hand, how not to confuse your immediately comfortable position, with larger political-economic realities that - habitually ignored by both parties - created the crisis that led us here? 100 days in and explicit normalization happens via systemically superficial analysis. RD's reason #1 for normalization: "First, the economy is still O.K., still creating jobs and growing." Why zero mention of gross economic- political inequality and a harsher standard of living for the many? Then the predictable pivot by the Center: "Yes, there is a lot of Trump-induced panic on the left. . ." See Columbia University's Robert O. Paxton on the five stages of fascism: upon achieving government control, the fascist contender breaks with its radical rhetoric used as populist bait, and aligns itself with the previously chastised conservative elites. A new bar has been set. Trump, like Reagan, is creating an acceptable standard, with the implicit prospect of emulation, by Centrists. Which side are you on Ross?
"Only about 1,364 days to go."
And here, in six words, is why things ARE worse.
And here, in six words, is why things ARE worse.
5
Rest assured! The foundation of this great nation on earth is strong! It will take a lot more to break it. Not to mention that I am pleasantly surprised so far. I do not agree with everything he does especially on the environmental issues. But he and his family breath the same air and drink the same water. So if Okolohoma wants more earthquake, so be it.
In fact, President Trump has already made a great success by building a strong personal relationship with President Xi. North Korea is a godsend to both countries. It reminded both countries they are in this together and they need to build a mutually beneficial relationship. The crisis normalized the relationship and make any kind of war far less likely.
The proposed business tax cut makes sense and I love the idea! Finally startups and hard-working entrepreneurs will have the same relief as the big business! This tax cut will unleash energy and creativity. Finally entrepreneurs can use their creativities on making things but not on avoiding paying taxes.
There are more areas President Trump can make huge differences. I am hopeful. Finally, I will happily take more Trump than any Ryan! At last, this country elected a successful businessman. Together, we will make America great again!
In fact, President Trump has already made a great success by building a strong personal relationship with President Xi. North Korea is a godsend to both countries. It reminded both countries they are in this together and they need to build a mutually beneficial relationship. The crisis normalized the relationship and make any kind of war far less likely.
The proposed business tax cut makes sense and I love the idea! Finally startups and hard-working entrepreneurs will have the same relief as the big business! This tax cut will unleash energy and creativity. Finally entrepreneurs can use their creativities on making things but not on avoiding paying taxes.
There are more areas President Trump can make huge differences. I am hopeful. Finally, I will happily take more Trump than any Ryan! At last, this country elected a successful businessman. Together, we will make America great again!
8
No. Donald Trump and his family members don't "drink the same water" as children in Flint, Michigan. They get it piped up sixty stories, in tubes, into their penthouses, from various aquifers.
I don't understand this argument. Donald Trump doesn't know beans about the weird earthquakes in Oklahoma, caused by widespread hydrofracking, and he doesn't care.
Is that good? That he never cares about events that take place outside his towers, golf courses, and resorts?
I don't understand this argument. Donald Trump doesn't know beans about the weird earthquakes in Oklahoma, caused by widespread hydrofracking, and he doesn't care.
Is that good? That he never cares about events that take place outside his towers, golf courses, and resorts?
3
JC,
If Trump has proved one thing over the past four decades it is that he is not a successful business. Other than some of his real estate investments, most of his businesses have failed. See Trump casinos; Trump airlines; Trump steaks; Trump University.
If Trump is able to "make America great again" in his own image, we as a country are in trouble.
It would be really helpful if you would begin to live in evidence based reality so you can make competent decisions.
If Trump has proved one thing over the past four decades it is that he is not a successful business. Other than some of his real estate investments, most of his businesses have failed. See Trump casinos; Trump airlines; Trump steaks; Trump University.
If Trump is able to "make America great again" in his own image, we as a country are in trouble.
It would be really helpful if you would begin to live in evidence based reality so you can make competent decisions.
2
Successful? By what measure? Trump filed for bankruptcy four times, prompting U.S. banks to refuse to lend to him anymore. He's earned most of the fortune he didn't inherit from his father by putting his name on everything from buildings to steaks to ties. Moreover, every presidential historian will tell you that running a country is in no way comparable to running a business. In fact, successful businessmen (Hoover, Harding, among others) have been abysmal failures as president.
1
Everyone knew Donald Trump was temperamentally unfit to be president, that he had a thin grasp of basic policy, and that the honor and prestige of the American presidency would suffer if he assumed the Oval Office. Of course, all of those fears have been confirmed.
But some Americans thought that because he lacks a firm ideology, he'd govern more or less as a centrist. Those hopes were dashed when he appointed people like Scott Pruitt, Betsy DeVos, Tom Price, Jeff Sessions, and Michael Flynn to key positions, and when he moved to dismantle climate change and other environmental protections, rolled back fair pay and safe workplace requirements, issued a travel ban based on religion, and outlined budget priorities and cuts that even some Republicans regard as draconian.
Sure, things could be worse. New York City isn't a smoldering ruin, Russia hasn't reconstituted the Soviet Union, and the US economy isn't teetering on the brink of collapse. But as we approach Donald Trump's first 100 days in office, in many ways this presidency is worse than many of us imagined.
But some Americans thought that because he lacks a firm ideology, he'd govern more or less as a centrist. Those hopes were dashed when he appointed people like Scott Pruitt, Betsy DeVos, Tom Price, Jeff Sessions, and Michael Flynn to key positions, and when he moved to dismantle climate change and other environmental protections, rolled back fair pay and safe workplace requirements, issued a travel ban based on religion, and outlined budget priorities and cuts that even some Republicans regard as draconian.
Sure, things could be worse. New York City isn't a smoldering ruin, Russia hasn't reconstituted the Soviet Union, and the US economy isn't teetering on the brink of collapse. But as we approach Donald Trump's first 100 days in office, in many ways this presidency is worse than many of us imagined.
14