“We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead.” Those were words I’m sure Hillary Clinton never expected to use in reference to Donald Trump — and words I certainly never expected her to use.
In her conciliatory concession speech, though, Clinton offered sound advice, not unlike our own in today’s editorial.
A lot of people are genuinely scared at the uncertainties of a Trump presidency, especially given his erratic behavior during the campaign. I know I am. But here was Clinton, saying, “I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans.”
She’s right. And she doesn’t mean that Americans owe him deference in terms of his personal faults or ideological preferences, any more than they owed those things to President Obama. What they do owe him is their wishes and best efforts to make his presidency promote the common good. That is why respect for a president always includes both the acts of support and strenuous opposition. One form of loyalty to a president is ferocious opposition to bad ideas.
Trump is going to be inaugurated — nothing can change that. But who knows? What if he suddenly starts behaving like an adult? His victory speech last night — also gracious and concilitatory — was a small start, but a good one. And maybe all the divisive rhetoric he employed will vanish in favor of policies and compromises that actually do end up accomplishing some good.
Perhaps it’s a lot to hope for, but hey, it’s 2016. Crazier things have happened.
