Day Four: The Straw Man

From DonkeyHotey, Flickr

I write again several days after the final day of the convention, partially because of the need for more reflection following what was likely the most long-winded, dark, and self-aggrandizing major speech from a presidential candidate in modern history. I had the unique privilege to sit in the arena as Donald Trump delivered his address and vision to the American public. As the crowd cheered each of Mr. Trump's arguments , it was difficult to discern exactly how abnormal the speech actually was. And as Mr. Trump painted a portrait of an unsafe nation in the middle of an unhinged world that he "alone" has the power to fix, he presented himself as an unsafe and unhinged candidate.

Even among the rapturous applause inside the Quicken Loans Arena, the sinister tone of the address took center stage. Trump described the state of the country using dystopian rhetoric. He exaggerated crime statistics, and attributed the growth of radical Islamic terrorist attacks, police shootings, and racial unrest to President Obama and Hillary Clinton. The toxicity and divisiveness of Mr. Trump's language at the convention, while not unusual for his campaign, is completely without precedent in modern American politics. It is important to make that distinction and remember at all times that Mr. Trump's campaign is not normal.

Additionally, Mr. Trump was completely factually inaccurate at many points during the speech. He claimed that Hillary Clinton is in favor of repealing the Second Amendment and that 58% of black youth are unemployed, both of which are easily debunked with basic research. That Trump seemingly lies indiscriminately displays a disturbing trait for a potential commander-in-chief. Either he knowingly lies without remorse or regard for the truth, or he lies unknowingly -- too lazy to go through the process of basic fact-checking.

Overall, the speech should trouble all advocates of democracy. Trump's strongman complex, coupled with his barbaric tone and systematic lying disqualify him from serving as the world's foremost leader.