President Trump must live up to ideals, goals
The Republican National Convention exceeded expectations. It was not only a strong presentation for a COVID-19 year, it was strong for any year.
Everyday Americans from diverse backgrounds, religions, races and experiences were front and center, telling emotional stories of struggle, triumph and tragedy.
Now, the challenge is not the spirit of the party but the discipline of the candidate and the efficacy of the administration.
On Thursday night, Trump declared, “We are delivering lifesaving therapies, and will produce a vaccine before the end of the year, or maybe even sooner! We will defeat the virus, end the pandemic, and emerge stronger than ever before.”
There are a few dozen vaccines currently being tested by researchers. Of those, only two have been approved for minimal use.
It is the responsibility of President Trump and his team to regularly report to the American people on the progress of the vaccine initiative. “Before the end of the year,” means before the end of the year. Trump must be honest and accurate as the process moves forward. We must know the status of the vaccine chase as it actually is, not how he wishes it to be.
That we will emerge stronger than ever is a possibility and there is no doubt that Donald Trump wants the economic engine of the country running on all cylinders but the fortunes of our businesses and the economy are tethered directly to the pandemic.
On foreign policy, Trump was more than happy to tick off accomplishments.
“This month we achieved the first Middle East peace deal in 25 years. In addition, we obliterated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate, and killed its founder and leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Then, in a separate operation, we eliminated the world’s No. 1 terrorist, Qasem
Soleimani.”
Indeed, the peace accord between Israel and the United Arab Emirates was historic, though largely underplayed by the media. The deal will likely result in more cooperation in the region as Sunni Muslim countries organize themselves with Israel and against Iran.
It is true as well that the Trump administration destroyed ISIS, which the Obama/Biden administration was unable to do. Likewise, it is inarguable that neutralizing al-Baghdadi and Soleimani as terror threats was a beneficial turn of events.
However, there are still troops in Afghanistan and though the president has vocalized support for their removal it still has not happened. If it does happen, what will be the countermeasure for containing the Pakistan-cultivated Taliban? Last time their nefarious activity went unchecked, planes flew into the World Trade Center in New York.
Toward the end of the speech, President Trump reached out to young Americans.
“I want every child in America to know that you are part of the most exciting and incredible adventure in human history. No matter where your family comes from, no matter your background, in America, anyone can rise.”
The words are elegant and the show of diversity during the weeklong convention was impressive. However, the convention is the convention and Trump is Trump.
Regardless of where one stands on Confederate symbols, does he consider the feelings of Black children when he defends statues or the Confederate flag? Does he take into account our immigrant children when he disparages certain countries?
President Trump made the case that he was a president for all Americans this week. Let us hope that impulsive Twitter missives and offhand remarks do not belie that notion.