A Conservative Evaluation of the New President’s Inaugural Address

Of course President Trump did not sound like Ronald Reagan thirty-five years ago.  There were no calls for limited government, lower taxes and a resurgence of moral values.  Our new president is no conservative. 

He did, however, stress his devotion to America:

“At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will discover our loyalty to each other.”

The President pledged that his first commitment is to America’s national interests. 

“We will seek friendship and good will with the nations of the world but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first.”

In this respect, conservatives concur.  If implemented, this approach will be a very welcome change from both the idealistic Middle East adventures of George W. Bush and the general abandonment of America’s national interests by Barack Obama.

On the other hand, Trump appears oblivious to the dangers posed by the country’s burgeoning national debt exceeding twenty trillion dollars since he called for “new roads and highways and bridges, and airports and tunnels and railways.”

There was no mention of the need to address the expanding entitlement payments which are the major expenditures in the federal budget.

The economic protectionism he proposes is contrary to the principles of free trade.  Such a policy, imposing tariffs on goods produced outside the United States, can protect American jobs in the short run but will directly increase the cost of living for all Americans.

However, one shouldn’t question his sincerity when he said:  “I will fight for you with every breath of my body, and I will never let you down.”

Putting hyperbole aside (which is admittedly difficult to do with Donald Trump), the newly-minted chief executive has proven to be a determined individual who aims to achieve objectives set forth:  “We will face challenges, we will face hardships, but we will get the job done.”

Or, as Trump has expressed repeatedly in less formal terms, he’s all about winning – always.

Thus, on the day after his inauguration, he was incensed about reports that he didn’t “win” the inaugural headcount comparison with Barack Obama’s 2013 inauguration crowd.

On one level, it seems petty and silly.  Who cares?  Well, obviously President Trump does.  He doesn’t want to lose at anything – ever.  Thus, his focus on whether he “really” lost November’s popular vote and his chortling over his TV audience rating for The Apprentice being greater than for his successor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Yet, petty as he is, there is ample reason to believe that his commitment to winning will extend to meaningful objectives as well.  So what he promised in his inaugural speech must be taken seriously.

Thus, to be sure, conservatives should be cautious in appraising the prospects for the Trump Administration.  The President has assembled a mostly sterling and conservative supporting cast (the Cabinet) which might be expected to provide experience, expertise and stability.   But what happens when their advice conflicts with the President’s stated objectives?  Does a shift in policy comport with President Trump’s conception of victory?