How Trump could have won

The US economy started 2020 like a locomotive charging down the tracks.  In any other presidential reelection year, high GDP growth and low unemployment would make an incumbent unbeatable.  But the pandemic had other ideas and Trump’s handling of it was likely the biggest factor in his electoral defeat.  

 

By many accounts, it was the final straw.  Moderates who might have supported Trump’s Supreme Court nominees, confrontation with China and tax breaks deserted him because of his failure to lead.  In its first post-election poll, Rasmussen Reports (a polling organization that called both the 2016 and 2020 elections accurately) reported that 56% of those voting for Biden were voting AGAINST Trump, not FOR Biden.

 

I think Trump could have won and won big.  Here’s how:  let’s roll the calendar back to March 11, 2020.  The headlines say that the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic.  President Donald J. Trump, Jr. calls a news conference which is broadcast worldwide.  Here’s how he begins: 

 

“My fellow Americans, today the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic due to the rapid spread and deadly effects of COVID-19.  In response, I am declaring a state of national state of emergency to ensure this dreaded virus has minimal impact on all Americans and our economy. 

 

“The federal government has limited authority to dictate to the states and each state will find they have different needs as the virus spreads throughout the United States.  But we have extensive resources to support the states and I am determined to put them to best use.  At this point, our knowledge about the virus, its impact, and how it is spread is limited.  So, I have asked our best scientists to focus all of our resources on how best to lessen the impact and find a cure.  Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases – a position he has held since the Reagan administration, will be the administration’s point man.  He will brief the press and the American public daily, providing updates as we learn more and guidelines to help the states fight what is likely to be among the greatest challenges in our history.

 

“What I ask of you, my fellow Americans, is that you heed the warnings and follow the advice of the experts.  

 

“I have also asked Vice President Mike Pence to lead a task force we are calling ‘Operation Warp Speed.’  Its mission will be to both marshal the resources at our disposal to limit the spread of the virus and to support our pharmaceutical industry in finding a vaccine that will stop this deadly pandemic in its tracks.

 

“I am also prepared to authorize the expansion of our manufacturing of critical medical supplies under the Defense Production Act, a law that was used to great effect during World War II to convert our factories to the production of tanks and planes.  Our needs during the pandemic are quite different.  We will be reviewing our nation’s capacity to produce critical medical equipment and supplies and respond accordingly. 

 

“There will be some frightening moments and many families are likely to lose loved ones as we fight this battle.  But we should remember that over the last 80 years the United States of America has come together to defeat the Nazis, stare down the Soviet Union in a Cold War and destroy Al Qaeda in the wake of 9/11.  There is nothing we cannot accomplish when we come together as a nation.

 

“COVID-19 doesn’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat and neither do I.  Together, we can prevent the worst effects of this pandemic.  So, let’s get to work.”

 

Presidential declarations of this type are rare.  But they’re important when we are facing a national emergency.  FDR’s declaration that December 7 (Pearl Harbor Day) will forever be known as a “day of infamy” was such a moment.  As was George W. Bush’s trip to New York a few days after 9/11 when he stood atop the rubble of the World Trade Center speaking through a bullhorn and later threw the first pitch of the World Series in Yankee Stadium.

 

Such displays of character and leadership are what our nation needs in times of crisis.  Character matters.  Leadership matters.  But President Trump didn’t make that speech because he couldn’t.  He simply lacks the character and leadership skills to do so.  

 

And, so, we will have a new president in January.  It is my great hope that President Joe Biden can overcome the damage that’s been done.  Our nation needs the healing effect of strong leadership.  

 

WHO WILL LEAD?