Trump must capitalize

LARRY ANDERSON
Larry Anderson

The election is over, but the struggle for America’s direction is not. The left will recover from its rage and come back with a vengeance.

Be warned.

Again, I’m not talking about liberals who simply want to see a healthier, more cooperative world. I’m talking about the far left which wants to mire America in socialism.

The far left dislikes the democratic process unless it benefits them exclusively. They also believe America is incapable of change unless it is led by enlightened liberals who claim some peculiar insight into what is best for everyone. Americans are consumed with racism, hate, and greed, lefties say, as if they know us.

Therefore, other points-of-view have not mattered. Obama sought to govern without congressional input and relied on his personal skills and a sympathetic big media to support his agenda. Hillary Clinton copied like a millennial on a SAT.

That is partly why Clinton lost the election and why Obama’s legacy is endangered, but it is also why the American people are the true vanguards of freedom. The people said No! to the Obama/Clinton tag team. The left was defeated by its own arrogance and narrow view of voters finally fed up with bad policies and insults.

Just know that while the Clinton brand is ailing, Obama’s is not. Indeed, I expect Barack Obama to become liberal big media’s de facto president.

It will not be enough for Donald Trump to capitalize on this election alone. Instead, it must be a foundation for conservative growth.

Trump’s goal and that of his supporters should be to keep the far left out of Washington permanently while encouraging the moderate arm of the Democratic party to reassert itself. This will take considerable political skill on his part, but it must be done. There will be little cooperation between the branches of government as long as old guard lefties have power.

There are easy things Trump can do to keep his support intact and to appeal to new voters open to the notion of greatness. For one, he must not gloat pre/post inauguration over his hard-fought victory. Let that be a liberal thing. So far, I don’t think he has done that.

Trump should emphasize achievement. He must model the work ethic that made him so successful in the private world, but he must also communicate that success is possible for anyone with effort and planning. Trump should explain how his plans will work for more people as his administration unfolds.

For those reasons, Trump should stay off the golf course. When he needs time away from D. C., he should spend it in New York City where he can engage people in our largest metropolitan area.

He needs to bring dignity and statesmanship to his office. Appearing on the Jimmy shows doesn’t accomplish that, and I hope he stays away from that type of television appearance. He will be elevated if he does because it will underscore the importance of his mission.

Trump should not endlessly campaign as did Obama. Let results communicate possibility.

I hope Trump will address the people every three months or so. He should explain why his policies and goals are needed. If there are setbacks, he should explain what happened. He should actively seek the support of the American people so they will feel involved in a mutual venture. Recent presidents haven’t done that enough.

I think it is important for Trump to visit every state within the first year and thank the people personally. Gratitude creates good will, and there is nothing wrong with being a man of the people. This he has begun.

He should also boldly enter bastions of the far left such as San Francisco and challenge their political legitimacy.

Trump should reconcile with his Republican rivals. Positions should be filled with conservatives with values, not yes men who fear the media and the leftist rant.

He should declare political correctness dead.

He should actively seek partnerships with anyone on the left willing to work with him. There has to be people on that side fed up with the leadership of leftover rads who think they still matter.

There is great potential for conservatives among African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Hispanic-Americans, but there must be serious outreach to replace the empty rhetoric of liberals. Communication is important, but so is action. Minority communities must be safe and productive. Better education and more training is essential.

These measures cost little but do much to help an administration and a country succeed.