Specifics

One of the things that get really old as the press continues its quest to take down Trump, is all the harping on specifics.  Trump lays out a goal.  He provides some concepts of things he wants to be done.  And the press savages him for not being specific.  Where are the details, they want to know?  How will you do this, they want to know.  Of course, it's all a thinly veiled attempt to show him as shallow, not very smart, and not very engaged.  And of course, they never, ever apply the same standard to Hillary.

So I got to wondering about presidential goals.  I mean, do we want a president who will micromanage the day to day workings of the government?  I don't think so.  We've seen that model.  Can you say, Carter?  To me, Trump has been about right when it comes to policy.  He is focusing on the economy, jobs, immigration and national security.  He has laid out some specific pieces of those issues, but not hard and fast tactics.  Nor should he.  So in my wondering, did a little research and came up with presidential goals going back to Reagan.  All this info comes from the Miller Center at the University of Virginia just to be consistent.  I've paraphrased some of it, but it's pretty accurate.  What do they all have in common?  They are all very non-specific.  They all set a vision in policy areas that they care about and think the American people care about.  And they are all pretty non-specific.

If you for some reason don't think the press is out to annihilate Trump, pay attention to some of their rants about his lack of policy detail.  It is total bullshit and really shows their hand.  And like many other things about him, they are driving a lot of people toward him because they are such arrogant pricks.

Ronald Reagan's Presidential Goals:  In domestic affairs, he set out to revitalize the economy, reduce taxes, balance the federal budget, and reduce the size and scope of the federal government. In foreign affairs, he vowed to rebuild the American military and confront the Soviet Union and its allies with new vigor and purpose.

George H.W. Bush's Presidential Goals:  Bush came into office promising continuity with the Reagan years and proceeded cautiously; he did not advocate radical change or announce sweeping domestic programs. He was constrained by a large budget deficit, limited federal revenue to fund programs, and a Democratic-controlled Congress. Critics charged that his administration lacked vision and did not communicate its approach effectively to the public. Although Bush had some notable domestic achievements, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act Amendments, he focused much of his attention on foreign affairs.

Bill Clinton's Presidential Goals:  Clinton vowed to focus on economic issues like a "laser beam," working especially to overcome the sluggish growth of the American economy. He also sought to remake the Democratic Party by focusing on issues supported by the middle class, such as government spending to stimulate the economy, tough crime laws, jobs for welfare recipients, and tax reform that shifted the burden to the rich. At the same time, Clinton stood firm on certain traditional liberal goals such as converting military expenditures to domestic purposes, gun control, legalized abortion, environmental protection, equal employment and educational opportunity, national health insurance, and gay rights.

George W. Bush's Presidential Goals:  The most transformative event of the Bush presidency occurred on September 11, 2001.  The Bush presidency began with conservative reform goals, such as lowering taxes, but became better known as the presidency that prosecuted America’s war on terror. The September 11, 2001, attacks changed the entire focus of the Bush administration. The long, hard wars in Afghanistan and Iraq cost thousands of U.S. lives, billions of dollars, and damaged Bush’s popularity as President.

Barak Obama Presidential Goals:  The Obama Administration had a comprehensive and detailed policy agenda. Among many important domestic and foreign policy objectives, priorities of the Obama Administration include: a plan to revive the economy; provide affordable, accessible health care to all; strengthen our public education and social security systems; define a clear path to energy independence and tackle climate change; end the war in Iraq responsibly and finish our mission in Afghanistan; work with our allies to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.