Let the Thing Be Pressed

Gen. Sheridan says "If the thing is pressed I think that Lee will surrender." Let the thing be pressed.
--April 7, 1865 Telegram of Abraham Lincoln to General Grant

Reading in The Washington Post yesterday, I learned that the Trump campaign has been in something of a state of disarray or at least turmoil for some time.  I highly recommend the article for a better understanding of just who Trump is and how he manages his businesses.  

For Trump likes controversy, even within his organizations.  But not controversy about him.  The controversy he likes is animosity between employees and associates.  It is easy to see why this would be so. If underlings are fighting amongst themselves it is less likely they will be opposing him.  

But this way of operating has its drawbacks. If conflict becomes too severe it can spiral out of control.  This seems to have happened with some recent campaign operatives.  

The article gives little clue that Trump would be different as President.  Would he set one cabinet member against another?  Would his White House staff be full of intrigue, more than with any other President?

It is long past time to work to prevent this individual from even being nominated by the Republican Party.  If the Republican Party is currently not in a position to accomplish this, we must help the process.  Trump is not quite the bogey man some may think him to be -- at least not yet.  But give him the official imprimatur of the Republican Party and the man would be insufferable.  

Let's get together and call his bluff.  We can do this.  It takes a certain kind of courage, but first knowledge and clarity of mind.  But if the matter is pressed, the Trump campaign, plagued by a conflicted campaign operation, a captain who is vain, ignorant, inexperienced, and inept, the American people will respond.   But the matter must be pursued, especially by the press.  At any rate, as Abraham Lincoln said, "Let the thing be pressed."