'Miss Congeniality' part of modern politics

When someone charged General Ulysses S. Grant, in President Lincoln’s hearing, with drinking too much liquor, Mr. Lincoln, recalling General Grant’s successes, said that if he could find out what brand of whiskey Grant drank, he would send a barrel to all his generals.

Grant also appeared unkempt and disheveled, and was often mistaken for a private when he walked around camp. Conversely, General George McClellan had the appearance and bearing desired in a general, but Lincoln removed him from command early in the war when his cautious tactics failed to produce results. Lincoln’s judgment proved prescient; confederate General Robert E. Lee eventually surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox, ending the Civil War.

Few of the people I know who voted for Trump cared for his personality, but they liked what he did, or tried to do, for the country. Other people liked his policies but couldn't abide his lack of decorum, immaturity and petulance, and voted for Biden (or stayed home). Who can blame them? If I were to pick someone to be marooned with on a desert island Trump would be my next-to-last choice, Hillary grabbing last-place honors.

Trump’s policies differed little from Ronald Reagan’s, who won landslides in 1980 and 1984. The difference? Reagan was presidential. People liked him. The country has drifted left since Reagan was in office, so a current-day Reagan would not have won by a landslide, but would have won comfortably. Trump should not run in 2024. His personality is not going to change at this point, and he will be beaten again. There are some rising stars in the Republican party who can win by running on Trump’s agenda while acting like adults. Electing a president shouldn't be a Miss Congeniality contest, but like it or not, that’s part of it.

DAVE MUNDELL

Sandpoint