The campaigns for the upcoming 2024 presidential election are taking a critical look at what is being said in speeches by the candidates. I will focus on only one instance of many both past and present. It all boils down to interpretation.

For example, former president Donald Trump has clearly stated that on his first day of office there would be a "bloodbath." For those with any sense of how words are used, the logical conclusion from that statement would be that he would fire everyone who had not resigned from the previous Biden administration.

But there are those, particularly in the blue side of the spectrum, who would consider that those words are inflammatory and would literally mean that he would hurt people that had anything "liberal" about them and replace them with his loyal followers and lackeys. Disregarding their qualifications for the position, similar to what he did during his last administration. There is no reason to believe that he will change his modus operandi of hiring his people and when they show any signs of disloyalty, fire them.

A reasoned analysis of this type of leadership, shows that it is wrong. The best leaders hire the best people to work closely with them. People of experience in the particular field of work. Why many past presidents have continued in office people of the other party because they were experienced experts and able to advise the president clearly what should be done in very critical situations. The president doesn't have all the answers. The president must rely on very good advice from highly qualified and experienced people. Trump does not seem to, like when he prescribed home remedies instead of taking expert medical advice when Covid-19 struck.

On the other hand, President Biden, recently in the speech told his fellow party candidates that they should "put a bull's-eye on Donald Trump." The immediate response from the red side of the spectrum, after the assassination attempt, was to blame Biden for the language that incited someone to attempt to kill Trump. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A simple interpretation of President Biden's words is that he knew that the success of Donald Trump's campaign would affect all races and all of the states. He was telling his fellow candidates that instead of focusing on local issues they should focus on the lies that Trump has been saying about his former presidency that are totally untrue . Presidential scholars, noting those lies and his former presidential actions in office, have determined that he was one of the worse US presidents of all time and perhaps, the worst.

By all means, make sure that you vote. Do not be swayed by the rhetoric but understand the facts. To vote red will mean that oppressive measures against women, those of lesser means or not fitting the consideration of what "normal" is supposed to be will suffer while the rich get richer and all of us will slide further into poverty with no safety nets anymore taken away by the ill thought idea of trickle-down economy, spoils to the lucky and connected.

Copyright © Ronald W. Hull

7/17/24