As we close out President's Week, it is worth thinking about the effect Donald Trump has had on American leadership. Mr. Trump has opened the door for so-called "populist" candidates to rise to the top. That means that establishment politicians, people ingrained in a political party, can be beaten by a relatively inexperienced office seeker.
The contrast between Donald Trump and Joe Biden could not be wider. Mr. Biden spent his adult life playing party politics. The Democratic machine finally elevated him to the Oval Office.
There, Biden sledgehammered the country, creating a series of problems that will be around for a while. Most Americans will long remember the Biden debacle.
President Trump's first term is ill-defined because of Covid. The pandemic changed everything, and no politician could alter that. So, Americans decided to give Trump another shot because Kamala Harris inspired no confidence whatsoever. She ranks alongside Barry Goldwater and George McGovern as terrible presidential candidates.
If President Trump succeeds in his second term, American politics will be altered forever. His bold presence must drive achievement. Americans have to feel their lives are improving.
Obviously, that will not be easy. Biden left the USA battered, he performed worse than Jimmy Carter. Ronald Reagan eventually improved things, but he had eight years. Trump has 47 months.
No one knows what will happen. President Trump is frenetic. He wants to completely reshape the federal apparatus, but time is short, and he has fierce opposition.
Place your bets now.
