How hard would it be for the President of the United States to enjoy extreme popularity right now?
I've seen other Presidents in times of crisis and they pretty much seemed to know the right thing to do... or at least the right way to act. Some were perhaps not among the brightest ever to occupy the Oval Office, but they had people around them who helped them figure it out and they listened to those people. And their approval ratings invariably went way up.
It's a no-brainer. There must be former Presidential speech writers who are champing at the bit to write this one:
+ Schedule a MAJOR address to the nation with 36 hrs advance notice. Make sure everybody knows about it and it's seen everywhere.
+ Begin with the magic words, "My fellow Americans... "
+ Admit that ALMOST ALL OF US got caught flat-footed on this one (except maybe Cal88)
+ Outline the problem we face and briefly tell its backstory in simple language that everyone can understand.
+ Show empathy for those suffering... both here and around the world.
+ Explain that we're all in this together and this virus doesn't know nationality or political party.
+ Remind the American people that we've faced crises before, throughout our history, and we've always come out on top. This time will be no different.
+ Issue a call to action on the hygiene and social distance issues, explaining that it is not just for you, but for your parents and grandparents, your community, your state and your country
+ Explain what the government is going to do to help. Tell the truth, give facts (true ones!) and don't exaggerate.
+ Bring in Nancy Pelosi to briefly confirm that Congress is 100% on board and also to reiterate that we're all in this together.
+ Conclude with brief video clips from every living former President (Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama) each telling us that we're all together on this and that we will persevere. (Optional: This one is my flair for the theatrical.)
+ Spend the next six months being the Healer-in-Chief, including using his power to PRINT MONEY and hand it to people.
People would be eating this s*** up like it was Fenton's ice cream on a Saturday night. The President's popularity would go through the roof. It'd be like when the villain in pro wrestling suddenly turns into the good guy. Even some people who didn't like him before would give him their grudging admiration.
It's been about ten days since the President realized he massively screwed the pooch on this. And what has he come up with? "That was a nasty question..." and "You're a bad reporter... " It boggles the mind, it really does, but I guess I'm glad he hasn't even been able to hit this hanging curve ball out of the park, because God forbid he's reelected.
I've seen other Presidents in times of crisis and they pretty much seemed to know the right thing to do... or at least the right way to act. Some were perhaps not among the brightest ever to occupy the Oval Office, but they had people around them who helped them figure it out and they listened to those people. And their approval ratings invariably went way up.
It's a no-brainer. There must be former Presidential speech writers who are champing at the bit to write this one:
+ Schedule a MAJOR address to the nation with 36 hrs advance notice. Make sure everybody knows about it and it's seen everywhere.
+ Begin with the magic words, "My fellow Americans... "
+ Admit that ALMOST ALL OF US got caught flat-footed on this one (except maybe Cal88)
+ Outline the problem we face and briefly tell its backstory in simple language that everyone can understand.
+ Show empathy for those suffering... both here and around the world.
+ Explain that we're all in this together and this virus doesn't know nationality or political party.
+ Remind the American people that we've faced crises before, throughout our history, and we've always come out on top. This time will be no different.
+ Issue a call to action on the hygiene and social distance issues, explaining that it is not just for you, but for your parents and grandparents, your community, your state and your country
+ Explain what the government is going to do to help. Tell the truth, give facts (true ones!) and don't exaggerate.
+ Bring in Nancy Pelosi to briefly confirm that Congress is 100% on board and also to reiterate that we're all in this together.
+ Conclude with brief video clips from every living former President (Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama) each telling us that we're all together on this and that we will persevere. (Optional: This one is my flair for the theatrical.)
+ Spend the next six months being the Healer-in-Chief, including using his power to PRINT MONEY and hand it to people.
People would be eating this s*** up like it was Fenton's ice cream on a Saturday night. The President's popularity would go through the roof. It'd be like when the villain in pro wrestling suddenly turns into the good guy. Even some people who didn't like him before would give him their grudging admiration.
It's been about ten days since the President realized he massively screwed the pooch on this. And what has he come up with? "That was a nasty question..." and "You're a bad reporter... " It boggles the mind, it really does, but I guess I'm glad he hasn't even been able to hit this hanging curve ball out of the park, because God forbid he's reelected.