Trump and Obama: Two characters in search of a legacy

by

Thoughtfulness seemed like dithering, eloquence became loquaciousness, “no drama Obama” wasn’t the soap opera some in the American public craved.

Mind you, there was no massive switch thrown where most of America changed its mind.

The votes involved were comparatively few: this is still the old story of two Americas, as different as Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

Mr Obama is cool, Mr Trump is hot. Indeed, Mr Obama is cool when Mr Trump is not. He’s deliberative, Mr Trump is instinctive. Mr Trump is angry where Mr Obama is preternaturally calm.

Preparations at the Capitol Building for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration ceremonyMark Wilson/Getty Images

Donald Trump’s inauguration takes place against the backdrop of a divided US

One suspects Mr Obama walking alone in the Rose Garden conducts several inner monologues at once, we know Mr Trump blasts out his first thoughts in 140 characters on Twitter.

Mr Trump would eat crocodiles and drink vinegar while Obama soliloquises on maybes and might-have-beens. Continue reading…

Leave a Comment