Understanding Trump’s Air Force One Political Theater

American Thinker ^ | December 8, 2016 | Thomas Lifson

[Kaslin]

Using the same skill set he employed during the presidential campaign, President-Elect Trump has crafted another public drama around a storyline of his choosing. A highly predictable story arc – a series of subplots that unfold as time passes – is in store for the public.

Trump has done this sort of thing before. And unlike any previous president, he is an incredibly successful impresario/performer in episodic reality television. A substantial fraction of the electorate follows politics at the level of reality television, and Trump knows how to reach them.

His early-morning tweet of December 6 was an attention-grabbing opening scene:

His tweet and subsequent Trump Tower lobby comments about the Air Force One contract ignited a massive amount of coverage and comment. But Act One of the story, as seen by the public Trump is targeting, is that he is criticizing waste in government spending and picking on something that is actually a perk of the presidency. Trump’s use of the word “cancel” in his tweet was his customary dramatic start to a negotiation, letting the other side know that it has to give something in exchange for what it thought it already possessed. While the media nattered over its appropriateness and even legality, the public understood that Trump was calling on Boeing to do better.

The day after his tweet, Trump kept the storyline alive by confirming the commonsense interpretation of what he was up to with the use of the word cancel:

[McGavin999]

I agree, Trump is a master and politics will never be the same.

[Sacajaweau]

There were a bunch of CEO's on a financial show.

One said.... "Trump isn't the first one to complain about Boeing prices".

[marron]

Exactly. Its a negotiation. Step one, get their attention.

[McGruff]

President-Elect Trump has crafted another public drama

Or maybe he's just doing what he said he would be doing. Cutting waste and fraud.

[9YearLurker]

In a sense, when you think of Trump’s planes, ground security, and even the security at his oceanside resorts, it is almost as if he’s already had a mini-airforce, army, marines, intelligence agencies, etc.

[NonValueAdded]

As Monty Python would say, “and now for something completely different!”. As long as the press uses a political lens to view DJT, they will get it wrong.

And why a big-arsed 747? To schelp around the press corps? Drop that requirement down to one seat on a smaller airframe.

[T-Bird45]

As long as the press uses a political lens to view DJT, they will get it wrong.

This ^^^^^^ -- and may it ever be so!

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

Maybe it is just clever negotiation. But the fact is that in both the AF One and a related program trying to replace Marine One programs, there has been so much gilding the lily that you one could 3-D print the small fleet out of gold for less money. I lay these gold-plated requirements squarely at the feet of the White House. To always ensure that rhe executive plane and helicopter both have the same comes capability plus survivability and top-drawer reliability and availability is unimaginably expensive, made more so by very bad business practices and fake urgency over the last decade.

TC

[Former Proud Canadian]

I used to think Kyle Bass was the smartest man in America. Now, I think it is Donald Trump. The country is in the best hands since the 1980's.

[Kaslin]

Perhaps

[OldGuard1]

To be fair, his planes aren’t particularly suitable for carrying the president, lacking the communications and air-defense systems generally used, and a retrofit would be expensive.

But I strongly agree with the article: it’s a brilliant negotiating strategy on his part. Cast yourself as an iconoclast, a bit of a bull in a china shop, and when you threaten to cancel things, people believe that you actually will. They can’t rely on the “he wouldn’t dare!” fallback. Meaning they have to give in in order to cut their losses - giving a favorable deal is better than losing a whole contract.

[spokeshave]

OH NOES....Now I am suffering from ANTICIPATED WIN overload....

Please Mr President Elect can't you slow down .....maybe not.....

I think I can make it....I just used some Schadenfreude salve...

That's good now.

[Mashood]

Maybe Trump should suggest that Airbus build the next AF1.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

The Boeing B747 was a magnificent, leading edge aircraft in its day, back in 1970....but...it is outdated in our present world. Two (2) Boeing magnificent B787-9 aircraft fit the POTUS aircraft bill 100%. In addition, two (2) B737MAX aircraft will do just fine for short POTUS trips. It is absolutely insane for a B747-200 to fly the POTUS from Washington DC to Miami, Florida, etc. for example. A total waste of fuel, cost and inefficency!!! Obama could care less, he could less about taxpayers waste of money....he never worked an honest day in his entire life!!! DJT is right on Target....GO Donald J. Trump!!! One billion dollars would easily take care of the cost of the two B787s & the two B737MAX aircraft and their required goodies!!! Believe me, i know the actual costs of these aircraft!!

And the Boeing Company better can its plan to build aircraft in the PRC & other countries, and, keep those jobs right here in the USA!!! End of story!!!

[xp38]

That would be bad optics. Sort of like giving the limo contract to Lexus or Mercedes.

[Salgak]

“For Schadenboners lasting longer than 4 years, re-elect Trump/Pence in 2020. . . . “

[taildragger]

"And the Boeing Company better can its plan to build aircraft in the PRC & other countries, and, keep those jobs right here in the USA!!! End of story!!!"

I posted that the other day and no responses. It is going over everyone's head, the 747 is his wedge issue to walk Boeing back from the COMAC deal. Tell me where I am wrong here...

http://airnation.net/2016/11/14/boeings-chinese-jet-orders-vulnerable-trump/

[Salgak]

[Mashood]

Airbus has a substantial presence here in the States...as does Mercedes.