It was the sigh of relief heard round the anti-Trump world.
Hillary Clinton’s scathing smack-down of Donald Trump last week is likely the defining moment of the presidential campaign already, albeit unofficially, underway. Well-scripted, well-delivered, well worth waiting for. Stylistically and strategically impressive.
It wasn’t basic, partisan, put-down rhetoric that could have been aimed at Mitt Romney, John McCain or even George W. Bush. This was a well-documented taunt about sheer fitness–and what’s at stake for the U.S. and the world. Amid the incisive turns of phrase and sardonic punch-out lines, there was the ultimate, bottom-line, existential message.
In short, said Clinton, she’s the sane one. Especially on national security. The Oval Office is the worst possible place for the unprepared, the incompetent, the globally arrogant and the temperamentally unhinged.
“Imagine Donald Trump sitting in the situation room, making life or death decisions on behalf of the United States,” said Clinton. “Imagine if he had more than his Twitter account at his disposal when he’s angry, but America’s entire arsenal. … There’s no risk of people losing their lives if you blow up a golf course deal.”
And it’s no place for subtlety when referencing the nuclear codes. Think Barry Goldwater, only not nearly so experienced and deliberative.
This was a framing speech for the next five months. Private-serverGate and an impeached husband pale against the loudest drunk at last call with access to those codes. It’s a good bet that Clinton will stay on the offensive and keep hammering away till November. It’s what you do with a game-changing speech that plays to real-world, visceral fears.
And for those still–somehow–expecting a “presidential” pivot from Trump, get over it. The scorpion doesn’t change. The unforced errors, much to the frustration, if not anger and embarrassment, of his “campaign” aides and Republican establishment, will continue to mount.