Been thinking about Donald Trump's place in history because he is truly a unique politician. Yes, Grover Cleveland managed to win two non/consecutive terms in office, but that was largely because his immediate predecessor and opponent, President Benjamin Harrison, was the most boring man on earth at the time. To quote the late Don Rickles: when Ben opened his mouth, dust came out.
President Trump, along with Andrew Jackson, are the only American Chief Executives who "acted out." That is, they embraced startling candor that both helped and hurt them.
It's easy to assess; Americans react emotionally to Donald Trump. He is loved and loathed, praised, and condemned. His presence provokes fear in some quarters, adulation in other precincts.
Old Hickory's persona was similar.
President Trump caught an enormous break having Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as opponents. Those two make Jimmy Carter look like a Tower of Power. Incredibly befuddled, Mr. Biden bestowed economic pain on the populace. Almost daily, Kamala giggled her mindless assent.
So, now, Donald Trump has a chance at greatness. That will take discipline and courage. Old Grover bombed big in his second term. Trump might study that.
The President-elect has a mandate: bring prosperity to working people and punish miscreants who impose corruption and social insanity on this country.
That's a big task. But greatness does not come easily.
