Trump should hit trail
Wednesday morning, after the Ohio 12th Congressional District election went to Republican Troy Balderson in a squeaker, President Trump tweeted, “As long as I campaign and/or support Senate and House candidates (within reason), they will win. … we will have a giant Red Wave!”
The truth is, unless the president shapes up before November, the GOP may be waving goodbye to a majority in the House of Representatives.
Despite some cheerleading from the true believers, Tuesday was not a good day for the GOP. In 2016, Trump carried the 12th District by 11 points. In Tuesday’s special election, Balderson defeated his Democratic opponent, Danny O’Connor by less than 1 percent, or about 1,500 votes.
The momentum is going in the wrong direction for the Republicans, and a blue wave realized effectively means the end of the Trump agenda, and effectively or literally his presidency.
In order to right the ship before November, President Trump needs to be on his best behavior. His petty and petulant tweets often own the news cycle for days while news of the booming economy, great employment numbers and foreign policy accomplishments never see the light of day.
His base already considers CNN fake news and the Mueller investigation a witch hunt. He doesn’t need to obsess over it on social media day and night. All he’s doing is making a lot of Americans nervous and concerned that the guy with the button is unstable.
The president should hit the road during September, October and November. Whether it’s stumping for candidates, visiting businesses or honoring the military and law enforcement, the Trump tour should start right after Labor Day. He needs to be seen out there being the president and not just tweeting about it.
It’s what he loves to do and it’s what he’s best at.
If the president can moderate his social media output and take the show on the road, there will be an opening for many Americans to truly acquaint themselves with the Democratic Party of 2018. They are pro-open borders and anti-law enforcement. They consider every aspect of the criminal justice system racist, “front to back.” They believe in censoring speech as they defend MS-13.
Instead of the flower children of the ’60s, their contemporary counterparts in youth culture are the “Antifa,” who use violence to quell speech they don’t approve of.
Though a “Red Wave” seems like a long shot, if anyone has proven that they can make the impossible possible in modern politics, it’s Donald J. Trump. Get on the plane, Mr President. Talk to the people.