The 2016 campaign proves one thing: our system of electing a President is failing the American people. It clearly has not delivered the best candidates.
By John Shaffer Everyone is talking about the “Donald Trump hot mic” tapes from 2005, in which he makes crude, lewd, offensive and demeaning comments about some his desires toward a couple of attractive women. He probably didn’t realize he was being recorded, but no matter – he said the words and used the vulgar and offensive terms, and he has paid a price for it, as reflected in an appreciable drop in his polling numbers. Several prominent Republicans have distanced themselves from the candidate. And if the Republicans are upset, the Democrats are vicious in their denunciations of Mr. Trump. The Republicans were equally disdainful of President Bill Clinton, who not only said things every bit as bad as Mr. Trump’s tape but who also “had improper relations” with more than his share of females. The Democrats, you will remember, defended Mr. Clinton, made excuses for Mr. Clinton, downplayed Mr. Clinton’s behavior, and in the end failed to remove him from office when he was impeached And leading the defense of Mr. Clinton was the loyal, dutiful, stand-by-your-man wife of Mr. Clinton, Hillary Clinton, champion of feminism. Her contempt for Mr. Trump’s comments burns with white heat; just as her defense of her husband was unquenchable. Now, she attacks Mr. Trump for his words in a private conversation taped 11 years ago. It is a peculiar campaign season,for Mr. Trump seems to be winning on the issues, but losing on temperament and character. Ironically, there is a vast literature about the failings of Mrs. Clinton’s wicked temper, her vulgar vocabulary, and her dishonest character – to say nothing of her unyielding defense of her husband’s escapades. Are we to give more weight to Donald's private comments or Hillary's official actions? Somehow, the Trump tape is seen as more significant than the Wikileaks releases from Mrs. Clinton's time in office. We surely are not going to defend or excuse Mr. Trump’s remarks; but we can guarantee that Hillary Clinton has been vulgar in her private (and semi-public) remarks. The amazing thing is that even with Mr. Trump’s dirty thoughts disclosed, Hillary can’t hit over 46% in the polls. Any other Democrat candidate would be on his way to a landslide. Conversely, if the Republicans had nominated any of the other seventeen available candidates, that person would be walking away with this election.
The 2016 campaign proves one thing: our system of electing a President is failing the American people. It clearly has not delivered the best candidates. Comments are closed.
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