SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET: 

REACTION TO THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH:  The most commonly made remark, at least that I've heard, is that Donald Trump became president tonight.  His speech was the best of his career, and would have been excellent coming from any president.  It was well-written, obviously polished several times.  The language was spare and clean.  There was no confusion, no vague phrases, no bluster, no insults.  It was a flawed man drowning the flaws and bringing out his best.

The delivery was also superb.  I had the feeling that Trump had a coach, and that's all to the better.  I also had the feeling he had rehearsed and rehearsed, which is exactly what any pro would do.  Ronald Reagan could be seen rehearsing a major speech in the Oval Office.  A speech is a performance, and the performer prepares.  Even Trump's physical gestures seemed prepared – things like turning graciously to the gallery to introduce a guest.  Gone was the awkwardness, the too-long tie, the casualness of the candidate. 

This was a great speech because it was meant to be, and because Trump realized his new administration was on the line.  No new president has been as ridiculed and as savaged as this one.  He had to prove the assassins wrong, and he did.  Michael Goodwin wrote, in the New York Post:

"Sometimes a speech is just a speech. And sometimes it heralds the prospect of a great national revival.

"Donald Trump gave the best speech of his short political life last night, and it had nothing to do with grand oratory. He was thoroughly presidential, speaking plainly and yet masterfully in projecting an optimistic vision of the America he aims to build.

It is a vision so optimistic and encompassing that even steaming Democrats had to join boisterous Republicans in the applause at times."

I wish the Democrats had joined in more often.  Most of them sat there glumly, perhaps realizing that Trump was becoming a formidable president. 

Now it will be up to the president to build on his night of triumph, and up to the Republicans in Congress to help him build.

February 28, 2017