Judging a Leader by Character Alone

The president addressing the Knesset (CNBC)

One of the most troubling aspects of our time is how extreme our political divisions have become. There is an increasing inability to recognize any good in one’s ideological opponents. Once opposition to an individual hardens, it becomes almost inevitable that anything positive he does will be interpreted negatively. Viewing political adversaries through a perpetually hostile lens - an ‘evil eye’ so to speak - is a corrosive way to see the world.

Which brings me to Donald Trump.

At the outset of his first campaign, I largely agreed with the prevailing view that Trump would be a disaster for the country and an embarrassment of historic proportions. His demeanor and lack of moral character were obvious and disturbing. My conviction was strong enough that I held my nose and voted for Mrs. Clinton.

My thinking was simple: as flawed as she was, she at least appeared to possess some basic decency and an understanding of how to conduct herself in high office. On Israel, I expected more of the same. No worse than her predecessor, who was not really anti-Israel as many of my co-religionists have said. Just misguided about what was in Israel’s best interests. I assumed it would be four more years of continuity.

She lost. And I thought the world had come to an end.

It didn’t.

Trump’s character never improved. In many ways, it worsened. But his policies often did not reflect that character. Instead, they reflected values I support as someone who leans politically conservative.

Nowhere was he more positive than in his Middle East policies. Without delving into excessive detail, the evidence speaks for itself: Trump is widely admired across Israel’s political spectrum. That became unmistakable when he addressed the Knesset shortly after securing Hamas’s agreement to release all living hostages. An agreement that was, in fact, carried out.

Yet the animus toward Trump here remains so intense that many of his opponents refuse to acknowledge any accomplishment.

None of this is to argue that Trump is above criticism. Far from it. Some of his actions have been deeply damaging... 

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