"A Deadly Lack of Leadership" [View all]

[volstork]

Charles Blow in this morning's NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/opinion/coronavirus-trump-leadership.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

America watched a churlish child stand among serious leaders, corporate leaders and scientific ones, trying to appear in command, but continuously exposing himself as small and shallow.

The constant attempt to shift blame and accept none is a serious character flaw and the mark of a coward. The constant shadow boxing with the ghost of President Barack Obama is embarrassingly consuming. And his need to be endlessly exalted is disturbing.

Presidents should lead by example. They should model behavior and inspire confidence. Trump failed on all counts, because … he is himself.

Leading a cult is not the same as leading a country. Presidential leadership is born of character — morality, honesty, courage, stability — traits foreign to Trump, traits to which he is actively hostile.

Trump’s thoroughly inept handling of this crisis will not pass from the American memory easily. Fear and panic will help etch this one into the psyche. This will leave a scar.