Graham Richardson: Why Donald Trump is not the president the US needs now
What the US needs in this time of chaos is a president who could fly straight to the hot spots of rioting and calm the situation. Trump is totally unsuited for that role, writes Graham Richardson.
Opinion
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The headline on a recent newspaper article said it all — “Chaos reigns across America”.
Donald Trump could never be content with being a healer of division. This self-styled warrior would rather be seen as a commander in chief leading the troops into battle.
He may never have served in the army but he fancies himself as the kind of soldier who would win medals and earn a reputation as someone who should not be angered lest you feel his wrath.
The problem for Trump at the moment is that the last thing America needs is a warrior prince. What is needed is a President who could jump onto Air Force One and fly straight to the hot spots of rioting and looting and calm the situation.
Trump is totally unsuited for that role.
Joe Biden would also fail in an endeavour of that kind.
He lacks authority. He gives the impression that he would be more at home as a second lieutenant than a senior general.
If he gave the order to charge, I could imagine too many troops refusing to leave their trenches.
Like me, you must have wondered how a fundamentally weak man like Jimmy Carter could become President of the US.
That he failed dismally was a surprise to no one.
Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were highly successful Presidents.
The wonderful quality they shared was the ability to bring Americans together. Trump has little or no interest in doing that. He is far more adapt at capitalising on division.
Sometimes it can actually be an advantage to have successfully avoided the spotlight.
The more famous you get, the more you get people wishing to bring you down.
Jealousy is a curse that afflicts so many people.
Ever since he won the Victoria Cross, Ben Roberts-Smith has been subjected to hints and innuendos that he is a murderer.
Roberts-Smith has heatedly denied those rumours and not a skerrick of evidence has been produced to back them up. Obviously, you are far better off being a small poppy than a tall poppy because some of us can’t resist the temptation to try to bring the tall one down.
Trying to demonise heroism is a disgrace and there will always be a seat at my table for men like him.
Australians seem uncomfortable when discussing success whereas Americans welcome and admire it.
This is one aspect of our national character that I hope we will shake off. It is undoubtedly rooted in our Irish working-class distrust of the British-leaning middle and upper classes of the 19th century.
Since the fall of Singapore in World War II, Australia has looked to America because that incident heralded a British rethink on where they stood regarding their empire.
Under fire from Germany, the Brits were in no position to fight a war in the Pacific. ANZUS is now the treaty of most vital importance to Australia.
Australians rest easier in their beds knowing that the US is pledged to come to our aid if ever we were attacked.
That attack may well be a most unlikely one but a bit of insurance is never a bad thing.