Uniting Versus Dividing

American history has more than a few examples from the modern era of Presidents striving to comfort and heal their nation at moments of national tragedy and grief.

There was President Franklin Roosevelt's address to Congress and the nation the day after the Pearl Harbor attack. And then there was the new President Lyndon Johnson speaking to Americans only days after the assassination of President John Kennedy.

"we know tonight that our system is strong -- strong and secure," he said. "A deed that was meant to tear us apart has bound us together. Our system has passed -- you have passed -- a great test."

And then there was President Ronald Reagan speaking to the nation after the space shuttle Challenger exploded. And then there was President Bill Clinton just after the Oklahoma City bombing.

"Let us let our own children know that we will stand against the forces of fear," he said. "When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it. In the face of death, let us honor life."

And then there was President George W. Bush on the day of the World Trade Center attack. "Today our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature," he said. "And we responded with the best of America. This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace."

And then there was President Barack Obama after the Orlando nightclub massacre. "So this is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American—regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation—is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country," he said. "And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans."

And then we come to the current President. In the face of one of America's greatest tragedies, as the death toll from the coronavirus closes in on 100,000, a number it will surely overtake and then some.

He is busy inventing a new conspiracy theory. He's calling someone "a moonface loser" and someone else a "dog." He's praising himself repeatedly. He's spinning lies and fabrications to distract from his failures.

Past Presidents have sought to heal the nation in moments of grief. The current President seeks to divide the nation in this season of great tragedy.

Two excellent print pieces in recent days address Donald Trump's wretched behavior at a time when a unifying voice is desperately needed, one in The Bulwark (link here) and the other in the New York Times (link here). Take a few moments to read them both if you can.

America needs a President who can lead, not one who is determined to divide. November third is a chance to do that.