NY Post Endorses Donald Trump: ‘Imperfect – But So Full of Promise’
Donald Trump reeled in his second endorsement from a major New York newspaper Thursday night, and his first from a major New York newspaper not owned by a family member.
The New York Post endorsed the “imperfect messenger” Trump, who nonetheless is “carrying a vital message.” (“Imperfect – but so full of promise,” reads the photo caption.)
The editors write:
Should he win the nomination, we expect Trump to pivot — not just on the issues, but in his manner. The post-pivot Trump needs to be more presidential: better informed on policy, more self-disciplined and less thin-skinned.
In other words, the Post’s endorsement is predicated on the notion that Trump will behave differently than he has during the entire election cycle — and indeed during the entire time he has been in the public eye.
The editorial segues into a catalogue of apologetics for Trump’s “rookie mistakes.” The extensive but hardly exhaustive list reads:
Start with policies that seem made on the fly.
No, pulling US troops out of Japan and South Korea — and pushing both countries to go nuclear to defend themselves — is not remotely a good idea. American commitments may need rethinking — but careful rethinking.
Yes, controlling the border is one of Washington’s fundamental duties — but “Build the Wall” is far too simplistic a policy for a nation of immigrants.
By all means, get the best trade deals for America — but remember that trade means cheaper goods for the less well-off, and challenge US industries to improve.
Trump’s language, too, has too often been amateurish, divisive — and downright coarse.
But what else to expect from someone who’s never been a professional politician and reflects common-man passions?
Indeed, his political incorrectness is one of his great attractions — it proves he’s not one of “them.” He’s challenging the victim culture that has turned into a victimizing culture.
In sum, his mistakes are due to be corrected; he is almost certain to “pivot”; and, the editorial concludes, “He has the potential — the skills, the know-how, the values — to live up to his campaign slogan: to make America great again.”
Like the editorial published by Trump’s son-in-law’s paper, the Post takes Trump’s baseball cap at face value and forgives or forgets virtually everything else.
[h/t NY Post]
