By now, the New Year’s Eve buzz should have worn off and resolutions are in order. Spending less, losing weight and reading more aren’t bad long term goals. But for those traveling to Washington, D.C., in three weeks, there’s an easier and more immediate resolution they should be able to keep: inaugural civility.
The nation saw its fair share of drunk uncles and nasty women in 2016. But a new chapter starts on Jan. 20, when Chief Justice John Roberts administers the Oath of Office to Donald Trump. Grassroots politicos and cable television pundits should resolve to be civil, at least on Inauguration Day.
Of course, protests and celebrations are not out of the question. Already designers and dancers have declined to offer their services to Trump. At the same time, conservatives refresh their countdown clocks in anticipation of Obama’s exit. Equally respectable, both contribute to a healthy democratic dialogue and have been inaugural staples since at least Nixon in 1973.
What doesn’t work, and should be left behind, are the personal attacks which overshadow legitimate political disagreements. Bipartisan incidents of bad behavior have marred the last two inaugurations and now threaten the next one.
After winning a historic election and earning a mandate, Obama was supposed to usher in a new era of understanding. But his supporters offered an ugly and unnecessary footnote to an inauguration that was meant to be punctuated by Hope and Change.
A flurry of boos and jeers met as President Bush and company strolled across the inaugural stage. And when the Texas president’s family boarded a helicopter for Andrews Airforce Base, the mocking crowd erupted in chants of “na, na, na, na, hey-hey goodbye.” It was an unfortunate and undignified send-off for an unpopular but faithful president. It shouldn’t be repeated.
Though Trump rode a populist wave of backlash into office, the president-elect has promised to deliver monumental policy changes in his first 100 days. Toward that end, he’s surrounded himself with a conservative cabinet that perhaps only Reagan’s first cabinet rivaled. If President Trump is serious, he’ll lead his administration toward the business of governing and away from the vindictive rhetoric of the campaign.
Mindful of the fact that Trump’s legacy begins on Day One, his supporters can help in that transition. While painting the town red, Republicans should remember that bashing the outgoing executive personally in no way enhances the next administration. And there’s no need for it anyway. His victory speaks for itself.
On Election Night, Trump won the biggest upset election in modern history. No comparison is necessary to exult an already impressive achievement that will come to fruition on Inauguration Day. Remembering this fact, a new resolution is fitting for Trump’s supporters.
They should resolve to do better than Obama’s supporters and show the outgoing president the dignity and respect that was denied to Bush. And to help Trump keep up his momentum, they should look forward not backward.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
