Excellent summary but

Submitted by BorisG (Australia), Jun 14, 2020 at 12:24

The list of Trump's traits and policies I agree and disagree with is almost identical to yours, but I put much more weight on those traits and policies I disagree with.

In particular, Trump's soft spot not only for Erdoğan and Kim, but perhaps most inexplicably and dangerously for Putin, coupled with hostility towards allies, is basically an abandonment of the western alliance as we know it. Yes it is proper to demand and negotiate the allies to pay a greater share of common defence, and yes, the old order has shifted, but if he thinks he can confront China on his own, he is grossly mistaken. Worse still, I do not think he even understands that these are still America's allies.

As for his character, I actually like how you say that this did not really result in bad policy; except perhaps where his erratic behaviour caused some zigzag policies that confused everyone. His 180 degrees reversal on Erdogan is one example. Even worse was his sudden decision to withdraw US troops from Syria; even Erdogan was astounded. Or what about his statements 'I stand with Hong Kong; but also stand with Xi'. What are we to make of it?

But where his character really affected policy badly is on the Coronavirus. His dismissive attitudes at the start of the pandemic probably caused tens of thousands of American lives. Sure he shares the blame with many others. Yet, this underscores that his character is utterly unsuitable for leadership in a crisis. Just contrast his leadership with Netanyahu's, who at the start said: when (not if) the virus comes to our shores, we must be prepared. And it showed.

I am happy I do not have to vote for either Trump or Biden.

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