Today’s Teflon tolerance

Ronald Reagan. Bill Clinton. Forget their policies for a moment. Both could tell or take a joke. That alone might not help a president save the world, but it’s hard to stay mad at someone who is at least marginally likable.

Whatever their likability levels, Reagan and Clinton were deemed “Teflon” presidents for their ability to deflect criticism. President Clinton left office with a 65% approval rating despite the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and Reagan exited the White House at 63%, the “Iran-Contra” affair notwithstanding.

In the annals of Teflon presidents, Donald Trump, for want of a better word, trumps both of them.

Remember when Trump, speaking of the late Senator and war hero John McCain said, “I like people who weren’t captured”? Imagine Reagan or Clinton saying that. Reagan had enough astute advisers like Secretary of State James Baker and ex-Marine Secretrary of Treasury Donald Regan around to steer him to a quick, convincing apology. Still, I doubt that even Reagan would survive similar, repeated behavior. Clinton, given his military draft background would likely flame out sooner, but it’s hard to picture either one being that tone death.

Each man governed before social media pushed common sense and reason aside heralding a generation of thumb-pumping instant-gratification seekers. Trump and social media are no longer adequate excuses. We’ve had time, but lack the will to tame either one via discipline or the voting booth. We’re in “… fool me twice, shame on me” territory with both. Maybe we need to talk to each other more and our smartphones less—and teach our kids to do the same.

Jim Newton

Itasca