Needed: Experienced Hands to Get Over Trump’s Rocky Start
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Version 0 of 1. To the Editor: Re “Ignorance Is Strength” (column, Feb. 13): It is evident from Paul Krugman’s column that President Trump has put in place a team that is unable to govern effectively. Every new administration needs experienced people who can develop constructive relationships with foreign leaders, the media, the business community and the other branches of government. For every incoming administration, the first few months are crucial. Likewise, the presidency of Bill Clinton got off to a rocky start with a White House staff that was inexperienced. Eventually, Mr. Clinton asked David Gergen to serve as counselor to offer assistance. Even though Mr. Gergen had served in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations, Mr. Clinton valued his advice and expertise. Undoubtedly, it is time for President Trump to follow Mr. Clinton’s example and seek help and guidance from experienced Washington hands to get his presidency on track. The campaign is over, and his tendency to even scores is having negative consequences on many fronts. LARRY VIGON Chicago To the Editor: President Trump, Stephen Bannon and others in Mr. Trump’s inner circle suffer from a trait that wealthy individuals sometimes display. They equate wealth with knowledge. Although they may have considerable knowledge about the business that yielded great wealth for them, they assume that their business knowledge enlightens them about all aspects of government. While I dislike referring to the “wisdom” of Donald Rumsfeld, he reminded us about the “unknown unknowns” — “things we don’t know we don’t know.” So far, Mr. Trump and his staff have shown very little humility and demonstrated even less awareness of what they don’t know. Moreover, they display almost no inclination to learn. CHRISTOPHER N. POPOV Concord, Mass. |