The Trump dilemma

Democrats are sometimes faulted for not having a positive policy message - just anti-Trumpism. But how can one discern whether that’s true when reliable mainstream news is so dominated by President Trump’s bizarre, dishonest, vindictive and narcissistic behavior?

Important news hardly gets a word in edgewise because of non-stop coverage of Trump, and this only encourages additional drivel from him. Curiously, this is how James Comey, in his excellent book, “A Higher Loyalty,” describes his meetings with Trump. Comey seldom got to speak, even when summoned by Trump for Comey’s opinion.

So how should reliable media treat Trump? More often ignore him, just as good parents should do with a misbehaving child demanding immediate attention.

To be realistic, often Trump’s reprehensible behavior does have significant negative impact, including worldwide. That makes it difficult for responsible journalism to ignore in favor of fundamentally more important news.

Admittedly, this letter violates its main point of ignoring Trump. However, it illustrates the dilemma of Trump-watchers as well as parents: the temptation to generally react to, rather than ignore, outrageous behavior.

But more often ignoring Trump’s frequent misbehavior may be the only way the media can ever give Democrats equal time.

Norm Luther

Spokane