A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of getting together in the evening, outdoors, with a couple who are good friends for some refreshments and stimulating conversation. Eventually the conversation turned to current affairs and politics. When it came to the policies and accomplishments of the Trump Administration, the husband and I were both proud Trump supporters. The wife felt differently. Trump’s personality and style turned her off. She did not mention any particular policy or accomplishment with which she disagreed, but she had decided she did not like Trump, the person, and therefore could not support him. Later, as I was leaving at the end of the evening, I asked her to please try to keep focused more on Trump’s policies and accomplishments for the good of the country and not to allow a dislike for his personality to stand in the way of supporting him for re-election. Every bit the lady that she is, she smiled and gracefully agreed to keep an open mind. We will always be good friends, but I have work to do to convince her to vote for President Trump’s re-election.
Ever since that evening, I have been trying to learn more about why some of Trump’s personality traits make some people dislike him so much they don’t even bother to consider his good qualities and accomplishments. Part of the problem is the constant criticism, even slander, to which he is subjected by the mainstream media and his political opponents. This part, in my opinion, amounts to political indoctrination and deliberate character assassination. On the other hand, I agree there is a lot of room for improvement in his personality characteristics and style of behavior. If he could make these improvements I believe he would earn many more supporters. In the hopes that my comments may come to his attention, I am going to write them addressed to him.
Dear Mr. President,
Please take these comments as friendly, constructive criticism intended to help eliminate some of the reasons people give for not liking you and not being willing to support your re-election.
Stop using the word “I” when claiming credit for something that has been done well. Give credit to your team or to specific individuals or even to the American people as a whole. You will be recognized for having provided the vision, the support and the leadership, and you will receive more appreciation and respect than you could ever claim for yourself.
Stop using sarcastic attempts at humor, such as when you jokingly suggested the amount of testing might be reduced so we wouldn’t have such high numbers of people infected with the virus. Such comments fall flat as humor and they only give your adversaries fuel to twist and use to attack you.
Set a good example abiding by guidance put out for all Americans, specifically by wearing a mask whenever you are with other people who are wearing masks, whether it is during a visit to a factory floor or a meeting at the White House. As a leader, you should not ask people to do things that you are unwilling to do yourself. It subverts the guidance the public is expected to follow and it creates the appearance that you believe you are somehow better than everyone else. Not appreciated or respected.
Last night, when all the assembled guests were encouraged to join in singing “God Bless America” I wish I had seen you and our elegant First Lady singing along with the rest of us. Simple gestures like that would make people feel you are closer to us and share our same patriotic feelings.
Stop using social media, especially Twitter, for petty, personal disputes. I understand that your instinct as a fighter is to counter-punch hard when you have been attacked or criticized. This often distracts attention from important issues and gives the impression that you can be easily distracted. You need to ignore the small stuff and to rise above the fray. Especially, you must avoid comments that disparage the character, ethics, competence or loyalty of former colleagues. Criticize their actions when necessary, but don’t attack the person. Making it personal makes it emotional, erodes respect for you as President, and makes enemies of those former colleagues and their networks of friends. Enlist a trusted surrogate to handle your disputes on social media. We look to you, as the President, to stay focused on the important issues of the day, on the vision of where we are going, and on factual reporting on our progress.
Mr. President, These comments are submitted in the hope that they may help win back the support of some of the voters who allowed their dislike of your personality or style of behavior to block their appreciation of your good qualities and great accomplishments. Winning back their support could be the margin of victory in some parts of the country. I will do all I can to help.