Donald J. Trump ran the most unconventional presidential campaign in history.
He is now running the most unconventional presidential transition in most folks’ memory.
Does this all portend the most unconventional presidency, one fraught with chaos and, as Politico reports, “empty desks”?
Let’s all hold on.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/trump-transition-agencies-233811
The president-elect takes office at noon on Friday. His predecessor will no longer be The Man. That title passes quietly, peacefully and seamlessly (one should hope) to Trump.
But is he ready? There appears to be growing concern that he isn’t. The Trump administration will take office without most of its Cabinet heads confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Indeed, some of them might not be confirmed over questions ranging from lack of knowledge of public education policy, stock purchases of companies that benefit from legislation pursued by a Cabinet nominee and another appointee’s close personal friendship with Vladimir Putin.
National security posts are unfilled. The world is dangerous, jittery and fraught with peril on many fronts. The Trump team hasn’t yet prepared to take its post.
I don’t know about you, but I long have appreciated how previous presidents have assumed power. I have admired the preparation they have completed. Democrats and Republicans alike all have done their homework. They all have moved cleanly and swiftly to fill key posts. The transition from one administration to another — George W. Bush to Barack Obama, Bill Clinton to George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush to Bill Clinton — all have been testaments to the fundamental concept of “peaceful transfer of power” that is so American in nature and scope.
When Democrats hand power over to Republicans — and vice versa — it’s all gone mostly hitch-free.
That feeling is missing in action as Barack Obama prepares to hand the immense power of the presidency to Donald J. Trump.