Before addressing the main topic of this post, an explanation of why I have frequently called Donald Trump “He who must not be named”. For those unfamiliar with the Harry Potter books, it is a term applied throughout that series to Lord Voldemort, a somewhat shadowy antagonist to Harry Potter and most others in the wizarding world. The series creator, J.K. Rowling, described Voldemort as a "raging psychopath, devoid of the normal human responses to other people's suffering", and whose only ambition in life is to become all-powerful and immortal. He appears to have no conscience or feelings of remorse.
As Trump’s campaign progressed in 2016, I occasionally thought of General William Sherman’s destructive march to the sea in 1864 which spread havoc throughout Georgia. More frequently, I thought of Voldemort, often referred to in the books as the Dark Lord. Now that he is the inhabitant of the Oval Office, the comparisons to Voldemort seem more appropriate as he bludgeons his way through his term as head honcho, supported by his goon squad of toadies.
During the first week in March, the man in the Oval Office continued to tear down his credibility as president. Using tweets, he accused former President Obama of ordering wiretapping of Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign. Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, James Comey, all said they knew of no evidence. Later in March, the Dark Lord cited a report by Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano that Obama asked a British intelligence agency to tap him. The British government objected and the administration currently at the helm pledged not to use the claim again.
FBI Director James Comey testified March 20 before the House Intelligence Committee. In part of that testimony, Comey said "I have no information that supports those tweets," adding that the Justice Department authorized him to speak for them and the FBI in the issue. Comey also said that it would be impossible for any president to order a wiretapping operation against anyone.
As of that same date, the approval rating for the Dark Lord was 37% as reported by Gallup. It is the lowest rating for any president at this point in his first term since Gallup began compiling those numbers in 1945.
Credibility gap as standard political terminology first gained popular use in 1966 by J. William Fulbright, a Democratic senator from Arkansas, when he could not get a straight answer from President Lyndon Johnson's administration regarding the war in Vietnam. It was used in journalism as a euphemism for recognized lies told to the public by politicians.
On March 18, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States would consider military action against North Korea if provoked. Does the Commander in Chief’s lack of credibility taint any future claims made by his administration against North Korea? Regardless of one’s political beliefs, all would like to have a sense of credibility toward the president. If his approval rating continues to drop and he loses Republican support for his policies, the president becomes almost a non-entity as was the case with Herbert Hoover. What then?
During the first week in March, the man in the Oval Office continued to tear down his credibility as president. Using tweets, he accused former President Obama of ordering wiretapping of Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign. Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, James Comey, all said they knew of no evidence. Later in March, the Dark Lord cited a report by Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano that Obama asked a British intelligence agency to tap him. The British government objected and the administration currently at the helm pledged not to use the claim again.
FBI Director James Comey testified March 20 before the House Intelligence Committee. In part of that testimony, Comey said "I have no information that supports those tweets," adding that the Justice Department authorized him to speak for them and the FBI in the issue. Comey also said that it would be impossible for any president to order a wiretapping operation against anyone.
As of that same date, the approval rating for the Dark Lord was 37% as reported by Gallup. It is the lowest rating for any president at this point in his first term since Gallup began compiling those numbers in 1945.
Credibility gap as standard political terminology first gained popular use in 1966 by J. William Fulbright, a Democratic senator from Arkansas, when he could not get a straight answer from President Lyndon Johnson's administration regarding the war in Vietnam. It was used in journalism as a euphemism for recognized lies told to the public by politicians.
On March 18, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States would consider military action against North Korea if provoked. Does the Commander in Chief’s lack of credibility taint any future claims made by his administration against North Korea? Regardless of one’s political beliefs, all would like to have a sense of credibility toward the president. If his approval rating continues to drop and he loses Republican support for his policies, the president becomes almost a non-entity as was the case with Herbert Hoover. What then?
~ Posted by Exile in Medford, Oregon
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