"Meet The Press" was preempted half way through the program so we didn't get the full panel discussion but that in no way means that we will not have things to say about what, in particular, fmr. governor Pat McCrory (R-NC) said with regard to the pandemic response.
To start, the continuing conversation about what the states should be doing versus what the federal government response should be is a distressing one to say the least. This is a national crisis and requires a federal response. Hard stop. However, the president insists that the federal government is only a backstop for individual state responses to the pandemic. If we had a genuine leader in the White House, this wouldn't even be a discussion. The president refuses to take the lead because he doesn't want to take any responsibility. A real leader would take full responsibility, but Mr. Trump has shown that the phrase coined by President Truman that "The buck stops here," doesn't apply to him. Feckless. Indifferent. Irresponsible.
And Republicans are cowed by this man that they refuse to speak up and or just follow him blindly through this disaster. The first case in point is the aforementioned Mr. McCrory who said that he objects to the blame game and cited the example of Pearl Harbor where the public didn't blame President Roosevelt after it happened. That may be true, but Roosevelt didn't run away from responsibility to lead the nation through that time of adversity, like President Trump is doing now. Mr. Crory's comparison and argument are a joke.
Governor Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) for his part has not issued a state-wide stay-at-home order, but said that his state is following all the recommendations from the CDC and doing more than that. But what exactly is that if he hasn't issued that order? It's disingenuous at best and furthermore he is putting the citizens of his state and other states at risk. He explained that Arkansas confirmed an order for masks, but then was outbid by another state, explaining that they are competing with others for supplies. That simply shouldn't be the case and did not call for a national response. More irresponsible leadership.
Conversely, Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) acted quickly and early with a state-wide order and the state has subsequently flattened the curve. He also explained that the state is not 'out of the woods' yet, but what does it matter if all states aren't following a national protocol? The virus doesn't recognize borders so in a way, what is, or in this case is not, happening in Arkansas is also happening in Washington. Mr. Hutchinson countered Mr. Inslee with a cheap shot that despite Washington's state-at-home order, citizens of Washington could still buy marijuana, a pointless comment. If the Arkansas governor finds that objectionable then he should close all the liquor stores and beer distributors in his state.
Are we blaming President Trump for the spread of the pandemic, no. However, his refusal or inability to take up the leadership mantle has made a dire, tragic crisis worse. As for his administration's part, the president had Sr. Advisor Jared Kushner give one of the briefings this week resulting in people questioning who exactly in the White House is running the pandemic response. And whether or not Mr. Kushner misspoke, to say that the national stockpile is 'ours' and not for the states is a gross abdication of the federal government responsibility to its citizenry so to even think for a moment that such a statement makes a bit of sense is ludicrous.
Unlike the Trump Administration, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated that public health comes first and foremost; that political decisions must be based on scientific evidence; and that it is the responsibility of government to maintain the social contract with its people. He said that he understands the great sacrifice of his people, but that his government will act to the best of their knowledge and with the help WHO he believes that his country is on the right path.
If only the Trump Administration had such clear thinking. More importantly, if Donald Trump himself had an ounce of empathy for the suffering and sacrifice of the American people, we would be able to rally to his side. However, like all the ones he reneged on during his business career, Mr. Trump has dismissed and ripped up the social contract between his administration and the American people.
Panel: Kasie Hunt, NBC; Helene Cooper, The New York Times; Pat McCrory, fmr. gov. of North Carolina.
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