Can we have a little professionalism please?
This is an open letter to President Donald J. Trump.
Mr. President,
You said in 2015 and 2016 that you could and would be presidential if you were elected. You have broken that promise many times, but this week's attacks on George Conway and John McCain have been unnecessary and over the line.
Regarding McCain, there was nothing new that came up that required you to respond. This was just you being petty and vindictive, which are not qualities we should have in the most powerful office in the world. Whining that you did not get a thank you for arranging military transport is crass and childish. It does not matter whether you are right or not in your criticisms of a man who died seven months ago. It is an unwelcome distraction that sours voters at a time when you need support.
Your attacks on Mr. Conway were egregious, uncivil and unprofessional. You put a subordinate in an unmanageable position by calling her husband "a husband from hell" and repeatedly attacking him through her. Mr. Conway is mostly irrelevant, so you are only elevating him by attacking him. But even if one agrees that punching back is a good political strategy, you crossed many lines by seeking to cause trouble in someone's marriage. This is not just bad management. It is evil.
Mr. President, you are supposed to provide an example for the people of this nation, especially young people. What kind of example do you want to be? Is it too much to expect a certain level of professionalism from the President of these United States? At any reputable private business, a boss who openly and publicly attacks the marriage of a subordinate would be removed from his position. This is not only far below what one would expect from the President, but it is far below any standard of professionalism, not to mention basic human decency. I have said it before and I will say it again: Grow up.