Last Friday (July 21) afternoon, America was once again treated to the realities of our nation's capital. Misdirected, inept, confused and disoriented are only a few of the words that come to mind in trying to describe what television had to offer the observers about 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Earlier in the day it was being reported as "breaking news" that Sean Spicer had resigned from his position at the White House. Suddenly the status of Obamacare, tax cuts and a budget, trade negotiations and all concerns for serious business were forgotten and became secondary to a (hear the drum roll?) White House news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. Is this a Trump mechanism for getting attention? Maybe he needs help with his choice of insiders. He fired Comey, an appointment from a prior administration and director of the FBI. He appointed Sessions as attorney general and now seems to regret that choice. Was, or is, Sean Spicer just other indication of Trump's need to surround himself with people whom he can "trust"?
The reporters began to gather, either because they had no higher priority meeting or just wanting to be first in case some news leaked out early. By 1 o'clock Eastern time, the lines had formed and the television stations were trying to find something of interest to keep viewers waiting with baited breath for the news conference to begin. In hopes of learning what was transpiring in the business world, I resorted to an CNBC screen that looked very much like the scenes unfolding on all the regular news channels. Does Trump's escapades even trump Wall Street news ? So much for variety.
The alarming thing should be not only that the new media was following the Trump saga, but if anything of value was transpiring or any significant legislation was being debated, it was given second class attention to the Trump "drum beat."
When the news conference finally took place, it became the coming out party for a new White House communications director -- Anthony Scaramucci. A very articulate person, we will see much of him for a number of reasons. He has direct contact with the president, to whom he reports. Apparently there is no one between the two, although there are peers in the power fields of Trump's inner circle.
We learned Mr. Scaramuccci is also a native New Yorker (Port Washington) which should tell us something and he is a Harvard Law graduate (1989). His background apparently is all related to finance. (He graduated from Tufts University with a BA in Economics in 1986.) He and a friend started Oscar Capital Management, a money management investment firm, apparently. Through the sale of that company, and subsequent sales he became involved in Lehman Brothers, which ultimately led to ties to Fox Broadcasting (a strong supported of Trump) and a position as host on the legendary business weekly television show, Wall Street Week. He has also been active in Donald Trump's political career. It is fairly easy to connect the dots and see where he and our president could have common interests and common ties. And, he is loyal to the president! We should expect to hear a lot from him as the saga continues.
In the midst of all the White House News shuffle, the daughter of our own Baptist Minister turned presidential candidate, special television contributor and candidate-in-waiting, Mike Huckabee, moved to center stage. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the new White House press secretary. She is a very talented and eloquent addition to Mr. Trump's verbal face to the nation. And, should her father ever chose a more serious run for the White House, she should be a definite asset to his efforts.
But, we still had no news on healthcare, tax reform or trade policy and I vaguely remember back in the campaign, immigration and a wall were news items. Maybe I'm missing something by not being on Facebook, or following the Trump 'Tweet party' and the daily sharing of his news and views.
A commentator on Fox News Channel seems to believe there is a conspiracy between some Republicans, all Democrats, CNN and other adversaries to destroy Trump's political career, or his agenda or maybe Trump himself.
Some actions of his indicate he doesn't need much help, but for whatever reason the news media still covers him like we voters really care.
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Editor's note: Leo Lynch, an award-winning columnist, is a native of Benton County and has deep roots in northwest Arkansas. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace. He can be contacted at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 07/26/2017