Sunday, September 9, 2018

Why The Recent NYT Op Ed May Actually Help The President.


Loyalty To The Country May Trump Anything Said In The Recent NYT Op Ed.


Have we witnessed very recently, why it is essential for any story in the Media to be clearly substantiated in order for it to be taken seriously? Not of course a prerequisite for those already faithful to the cause- yet essential if the opinions of others are to be swayed. Swayed that is to the point of altering accepted truth.

In the good old days wasn't it enough under certain circumstances, to simply publish a story that sounded highly believable, allow it to grow legs and make its way in the mixer?  Yet today's increasingly savvy electorate, is unlikely to chow down on the  end result as eagerly as they might once have done.

The current events surrounding Donald Trump, the Mid-Terms, Judge Brett Kavanaugh's SCOTUS confirmation hearings, Bob Woodward's latest book, "Fear" and most recently the New York Times Op Ed; detailing the reported dysfunction within the White House, have at least one clear thing in common: timing. Most perhaps  would have thought that now is the absolute right moment for detractors of President Trump to create disruption. Disruption with at least some potential to possibly influence certain outcomes, bearing mind that such a lot is at stake.

So what is actually at stake? Firstly, the critical midterm elections. The results of which could mean an end to the investigations into corruption at the DOJ and FBI. Lets not forget the folk literally chomping at the bit, to impeach President Trump.. or permanently halt and indeed roll back the Trump agenda. Additionally the vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's potential appointment to the SCOTUS. Should he be confirmed, Kavanaugh will alter the balance of the Supreme Court for decades to come. Plus a whole lot more besides.

So, does the source of the New York Times Op Ed understand the power he or she possibly holds? Power to potentially influence opinion just enough to change an outcome- or at least offer the haters and detractors a last best hope of doing so.

Yet in order for any potential power to be realized, it would be necessary for the source to reveal his or herself. If the source truly was of a senior level, perhaps this fact alone may be enough to cause an element of discord in the ranks. So to have real power, the story requires a name. 

A name however, is unlikely to be forthcoming, much to the chagrin of many in the Media; that perhaps had hoped a little too much that 'such a story' unsubstantiated or not would be sufficient to 'get the job done' the 'job' being to discredit and critically wound the President. Apparently not.

It must be remembered that since the release of the Op Ed many senior members of the Administration have come forward on record to deny being the source of the article. In addition there have been categoric denials from many of the same people regarding elements of Bob Woodward's book. These numerous denials do nothing to add credence to the claims made in the Op Ed article.

The difficulty now for the President's detractors,  is that the cards have been played- and they of course cannot be unplayed. The fact that story was published based on anonymous sources, was always going to mean its impact would be limited. It will become lost in the news cycle churn, unless a name is forthcoming voluntarily, or otherwise. The fact that the source is unwilling to be named has the unintended consequence of playing into the hands of those who decry the Op Ed as just more  fabricated stirring. 

Finally, consider loyalty. Loyalty to The President of the United States, to the Country itself and its people. The fact that the source of the Op Ed apparently had little regard for such things- ironically is likely to increase the President's standing with voters. 

Sure, there will be those who may claim that certain behavior of President Trump seems disloyal. Yet, the majority of the electorate will likely first consider the much more candid admission from within the Op Ed: that he or she is doing everything possible to sabotage the duly elected President Of The United States. This at a time when each voter has perhaps never been more important, to both sides.

For more from Politifoll follow us here. or on Twitter @Politifoll 

No comments:

Post a Comment