Will you cast vote for Trump or Comey?

It’s the starkest choice we Americans have faced since November 2016. Except then it was a political contest between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Today, it’s a public relations contest between Donald Trump and James Comey. But you can’t sit it out. There’s too much at stake. You must take sides.

It is, admittedly, a choice between two flawed players. Neither one’s a saint. Not even James Comey, even though the media’s panting over and painting him as one. But let’s not forget: Less than two years ago, Democrats were furious at Comey, and rightfully so.

It was Comey who decided to tell the world about an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails, while not breathing a word about a separate investigation, already underway, into Donald Trump’s possible collusion with Russian operatives. It was Comey who concluded that Clinton did nothing wrong, yet nonetheless violated Department of Justice rules by calling a news conference to trash her anyway. And it was Comey who decided to reopen the Clinton email investigation on Oct. 28, 2016 because, he admits in his book, he thought she was going to win the election and didn’t want it to look like the FBI was helping her win. Instead, by playing politics with the FBI, he probably cost Clinton the election.

No, Comey’s no angel. And, God knows, neither is Donald Trump. So now we have to choose: Which one do we believe? The lawmaker or the lawbreaker? The straight arrow and career Republican law enforcement official? Or the flim-flam career developer and failed casino operator who brags about grabbing women by their genitals and is now accused by two women of having an extramarital affair with them at the same time?

One’s an experienced, dedicated public servant. The other’s an inexperienced, unqualified, accidental president who’s dedicated to nothing but stroking his own ego. One weighs his words carefully. The other spouts off whatever pops into his head, using language not fit for a locker room, let alone the Oval Office.

One’s calm and thoughtful, who at least tries to speak the truth. The other’s a misguided, uninformed hothead who has no regard for the truth and, according to Politi Fact, lies 69 percent of the time.

Comey doesn’t get everything right. He cheapens the book, for example, by smearing former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, or dwelling on the size of Donald Trump’s small hands, his orange complexion, the bags under his eyes or the length of his tie, comments which come across as almost Trumpian.

But, based on his up-close dealings with Trump, Comey does make three chilling observations. First, on his initial visit to the president-elect in Trump Tower, he’s reminded of characters he’d seen up close as a young prosecutor, dealing with the New York Mafia. He describes: “The silent circle of assent. The boss in complete control. The loyalty oaths. The us-versus-them worldview. The lying about all things, large and small, in service to some code of loyalty that put the organization above morality and above the truth.” He could be describing the Trump White House.

Second, looking back on his interactions with Trump in the White House, he gives his own assessment of the man himself and whether he can be trusted. Comey’s answer is a resounding no. “This president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values. His leadership is transactional, ego driven and about personal loyalty.” About Donald Trump, no other leading Republican has uttered such damning words.

Third, Comey sums up why it matters to have a president who is so unhinged: Because his lack of regard for the truth undermines the very faith in our democratic institutions on which this nation is built. “We are experiencing a dangerous time in our country,” Comey warns, “with a political environment where basic facts are disputed, fundamental truth is questioned, lying is normalized, and unethical behavior is ignored, excused, or rewarded.”

Bottom line: Whatever his own shortcomings, James Comey has done a great public service by proving that Emperor Donald Trump wears no clothes. His candid, up-close observations on the man who now sits in the Oval Office should strike fear in the heart of every American, whether they voted for Trump or not.

Yes, he’s driven by a big ego himself. But, when it comes to trust and credibility, James Comey wins hands down over Donald Trump.

Bill Press is syndicated by Tribune Content Agency. His email address is: bill@ billpress.com.