Let’s be candid as Americans and conservatives: It’s been a tough two weeks for President Donald Trump. Instead of building on the House’s passage of the AHCA, the president has become embroiled in an endless battle for his credibility over the firing of former FBI Director James Comey.
Trump is losing the war and needs to get his act together. Fast.
I write this as someone who voted for Trump and wants to see our president succeed. On my radio show, I have praised many of his Cabinet appointments and showered him with praise for appointing current Justice Neil Gorsuch. I have criticized moderate Republicans on the Tuesday Group for failure to keep election promises To “repeal and replace” Obamacare by voting against AHCA (and will continue to do so). I even agreed with die-hard Trump supporters and criticized the media’s feverish smear campaign when misleading articles.
Is the media hypocritical in its attacks? Absolutely. Didn’t they “do their job” and criticize President Obama equally? leaks against Israel or Attorney General Lynch’s suspicious airport tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton? Yes. Is that a “huge” double standard? Sure.
But if President Obama made a mistake by hiring the wrong people or leaking classified information, conservatives should see it as a mistake that President Trump did the same. Trump made a mistake by hiring Flynn, if he knew about his connections with foreign governments. It was mistake the president asked then-FBI Director Comey for leniency on the Flynn investigation. It was a mistake for Trump to defy and undermine his press corps on the justification for firing James Comey shortly thereafter.
That said, these mistakes do not need to be repeated. How can President Trump turn this ship around and save his presidency?
Receive Special Counsel
President Trump should stop criticizing Robert Mueller’s nomination and take a cue from the Philadelphia 76ers and “Trust the Process.” If anyone can avoid the pitfalls of previous Special Counsels, it’s Mueller, a career law enforcement officer who has demonstrated a willingness to stand up for his principles. After nominating a career law enforcement officer with bipartisan support (NO Independent Senator Joe Lieberman (or any other politician) to head the FBI, Trump should refrain from making any comments about the investigation that are not some variation on, “My administration is fully cooperating with this investigation, and I look forward to being proven right.”
Next, President Trump should “Yuge” on transparency. Give Mueller whatever he asks for, whether it’s documents or information. In miniature, stay above the allegations and let the process work. If he really has nothing to hide, it’s time to prove it: in style.
Use your strengths
President Trump needs to double down on what got him elected: taking his message directly to the people. Forget the morning Twitter tirades and take up the conventional podium! Let Vice President Pence negotiate with Congress on legislation while the president holds “Trump Tour” rallies in states like Ohio, Maine and Alaska. These events will put enormous pressure on a tender Senate I am moderating like Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Rob Portman to vote to advance the AHCA and other agenda items. The American people elected Trump to fight, and this is the most productive way to let him fight; let him fight to force the support of those incorrigible moderates who would thwart his agenda by reading their campaign statements and demanding that they do so.
Protect yourself from your weaknesses
Any good political worker will tell you that unforced errors are a thorn in the side of any bureaucrat because they destroy legislative momentum. Trump should take a cue from Mike Pence and protect himself from errors in judgment. He should check all tweets with his establishment-friendly chief of staff, Reince Priebus, trust the statements of his communications team, and refuse to comment on any past actions unless he is talking about his administration’s successes. These sensible safeguards are necessary because Trump’s agenda is too vital to be derailed by an unforced error.
Promote real conservative fighters
It’s no secret that President Trump values loyalty and values warriors. It’s time for Trump to embrace the proven, faithful warriors of the conservative movement: the House Freedom Caucus. It was the Freedom Caucus that fought hardest against President Obama’s progressive agenda. It was the Freedom Caucus stuck with candidate Trump after Access Hollywood tapings. It was the Freedom Caucus that found a way to get a “yes” vote on AHCA despite its flaws. Trump should join forces with Rep. Jim Jordan and press for congressional support for his bold conservative agenda. Trump should promote Paul Teller, former chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz and current special assistant to the president for legislative affairs, to deputy chief of staff and give him much of Jared Kushner’s portfolio. Given that Teller oversaw Cruz’s office through the belligerent obstruction of Obamacare, Teller’s commitment to principle would be a welcome addition to a White House inner circle that seems dominated by other voices.
Decide on a bigger budget
Finally, Trump should demand funding for his priorities in the next budget. As his first 100 days have shown, President Trump will only win if he fights for the bold conservative policies he has championed: border security, tax reform, and an infrastructure plan that prioritizes roads, bridges, and cybersecurity. Rinse and repeat the same Trump Tour formula to get the Tuesday Group on board. By committing to real conservative alternatives instead of progressive platitudes, Trump can start winning again, and winning “big.”
Failure Is Not an Option: Republicans will be crushed in the 2018 election if Trump doesn’t learn from his mistakes. If he learns, he can turn this ship around and save us from President Elizabeth Warren in 2020.
