His modus operandi

It seems the topic of almost every media news event is attempting to explain or at least rationalize Donald Trump’s self- contradicting statements from one day to the next. One of the obvious effects of his behavior is to keep everyone, even his friends, Cabinet appointees, and supporters, off guard.

If I reject the obvious, that he is simply deranged and out of touch with reality, then there must be a coherent explanation. It has become my belief that this behavior has become so embedded into Donald Trump’s personality that he no longer is even aware of it.

Donald Trump is, by all accounts, a businessman, a “deal maker,” as it were, and we must see his actions within that context. I have sat on the boards of several organizations and have been witness to their “closed door” discussions. A basic element of most “deals” or negotiations is to keep the other side guessing ( kind of like playing a game of poker).

It is my thinking that, in Donald Trump’s case, this approach has become the core of what may be called the Trump modus operandi. While this MO may give one an advantage in negotiating a deal with a business competitor, it does not strike me as a successful way of conducting the nation’s business. In business, acceptance, cooperation, and mutual support are not required, but in government, these are the essential elements of success.

For this reason, if Donald Trump becomes a successful president, I will not only be pleasantly surprised, I will be amazed and flabbergasted as well. JAMES VANDERGRIFT

Little Rock