[DouglasKC]

Think about some of the most celebrated political deals, which have proved to be disastrous in practice. Ronald Reagan's 1983 tax-hike plan: the promised three-for-one in spending cuts never materialized. George H.W. Bush's abandoned "read my lips" promise to oppose tax hikes. Before the Democrats lost control of Congress Bill Clinton won big increases in outlays and taxes, which he later admitted were too high. George W. Bush and the Republican Congress passed a huge Medicare drug benefit which they made no attempt to pay for. Then, as mentioned earlier, there's Barack Obama who, with the help of his Democratic friends in Congress, won approval of the "Affordable Care Act" that we never will be able to afford. They also gave us hundreds of billions of dollars in economic "stimulus" which spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, and sometimes even millions of dollars, for every job "created"--without boosting the economy. The president has made dubious agreements with Cuba and Iran; he's trying to make another on Syria and there's talk about him reaching out to North Korea. Imagine the other horrible "deals" which he might have made had Republicans not won control of Congress.

Well as Trump says time after time these are idiots making these kinds of deals...at least on the Republican side.

[moovova]

“There’s More to Being President Than Deal-Making”

So true...like, for instance, the recent Obama(/Kerry) Iran deal.

[grania]

Ohmygosh. Do those who don't want to Make America Great Again have one of those daily calendars on which a "thought of the day" is on every page? And the topic is dumb useless whining bogus reasons to not want President Trump?

Pathetic.

[bert]

he will be able to make offers that dare not be refused

now that’s going to be the deal

[McGruff]

Enough with the

[joshua c]

‘Ronald Reagan’s 1983 tax-hike plan: the promised three-for-one in spending cuts never materialized. George H.W. Bush’s abandoned “read my lips” promise to oppose tax hikes.

Both times, the Democrats lied.

[austinaero]

I’m not sure it’s been asserted by anyone that being President ONLY involves deal making. Of course there’s more to it. Who said there wasn’t? Goofy premise for the author to straddle.

[McGruff]

Guess nobody told him.

[Vision]

If Obamalamadingdong can do it, anyone can do it. There are no standards after Obama.

[Armando Guerra]

the reason to be in office is not to pass legislation, but to pass what they consider good legislation

The problem is that the vast majority of politicians are in office for themselves. They want to accomplish something, anything really, so they can point to it for re-election and perpetuate their source of power, prestige and wealth.

Frankly, I would prefer a do-nothing Congress. No laws are better than more bad laws. My record of posts show that while I support Cruz I have been complimentary of Trump and very glad that between the two of them they have taken out the establishment Republicans. However, my biggest complaint with McConnell and Boehner/Ryan has been their willingness to accept a bad deal as opposed to no deal. Cruz is being criticized for being the one saying to just walk away from the table until you get a better deal. I hope that Trump criticizing Cruz for not being willing to strike a deal is just politics and not indicative of a proclivity to take a bad deal instead of walking away from it.

[Vermont Lt]

The executive branch is about executing the laws passed by Congress, and the President specifically is the Commander in Chief.

The President also represents the country in foreign policy and is the defacto head of their party.

That said, Trump excels in recruiting some of the best managers and he allows them to manage well. He does not micro manage—He sets the vision and expects his staff to work towards that vision. That is the sign of an excellent leader.

Negotiating is a major part of working towards his vision. A good negotiator understand the landscape, and understands what he needs to “win” for his side, while allowing the other side to win as well. Trump is a 10 out of 10 on this as well.

I am not impressed by his campaign style, which I find too boisterous and full of some pretty off the wall statements.

That said, if he were to be elected I think you would see Trump the manager/executive/leader. Those who did not vote for him the first time will find him to be fair and willing to give in order to get. Those who find him “conservative” today will be a little disappointed, but will find his “patriotic” stances and his dedication to the country to be very attractive.

As a politician, I am not a fan. I have been a fan of his management style since the “Art of the Deal.” We could do a lot worse for President—and we have since 1988.

[HarleyLady27]

A lot of people like the status of Washington D.C. as it is now, I don’t...that’s why I’m supporting Trump...

[Cyclone59]

judging by our current president he has made no attempt to make any deal what so ever. If he doesn’t get his way, he executive orders it.

[jmaroneps37]

Do these “Surging Ted” supporters ever even think through what they say or is it just a stream of ongoing silly crap?

[AllAmericanGirl44]

Not so sure that comparing Cruz to Sanders is a positive analogy.

[Amntn]

It is not all about deal making.

It is also hiring the right people, being able to lead, and being able to make a decision.

Trump has all of these abilities in spades.

[georgiarat]

Thanks for posting the article. You are a regular poster and I for one appreciate the effort.

I certainly believe a president has to be more than a simple dealmaker. Anyone can make deals but it takes a smart person to make good deals, I believe Trump will make good deals.

A president has to be a leader. The President has to be able to take a case to the people, let them know why he believes it is good for the country and then as for their support and carry through on the promise. I believe Trump will do that.

A president has to show that the primary concern is the US citizen. Certainly one should have compassion for international tragedies and circumstances but that compassion cannot be a weakness that underlines the primary responsibility to protect the citizens.

Security comes from protection of person from enemies of the country foreign and domestic. Security comes from economic security allowing one to have a job and pursue a meaningful place in society. Security is proper education of kids academically, through proper morals and respect.

I believe Trump will be good in all those areas.

[Walt Griffith]

The very statement of being a deal maker indicates that the person making that statement is more than an administrator of the laws of the land, Constitutional and Legislative.

He must be a lawmaker too.

Have we ever seen a person like that.

Very interesting conclusion of people who know the Constitution so well. They really want a deal maker.

Appreciate your work here Kaslin.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Well who do you want dealing with Putey, the Ayatollah, the Saudis, ISIS and the Norks? Trump or Hillary?