Trump Speaks To The Boy Scouts

President Trump addressed the Boy Scouts at their national Jamboree, a tradition for American presidents. But instead of inspirational talk about patriotism and the virtues of the Scout law, as has been customary, the president launched into a campaign-style speech.

He blasted President Obama, crowed about beating Hillary Clinton, complained about the media, and played on his usual themes. He even thanked the boys for voting for him, even though hardly any of them were of voting age!

Parents have objected to his use of profanity and some suggestive allusions to sex on a yacht.

The boys, predictably, ate it up, cheering the president and booing mention of his opponents.

Go here for a transcript of his speech. My impression is that he was talking off the top of his head and lapsed into the campaign speechifying that he has done so much of. He also seems to feed off his audience, playing to what gets the biggest reactions. I believe the White House has speechwriters who could draft something appropriate for him to read.

Don’t we need a president who can summon a sense of decorum and gravitas for ceremonial occasions, someone who can play the traditional role of inspiring America’s youth? Or do you think Trump’s style has its value?

From Eli Watkins, Trump holds Trump-style rally at Boy Scouts event – CNNPolitics.com:

President Donald Trump turned a Boy Scouts event into a campaign-style rally Monday, starting off by saying he’d put aside the “fake news” and other issues in Washington while addressing the Boy Scouts of America 2017 National Scout Jamboree.

“I said, who the hell wants to speak about politics when I’m in front of the Boy Scouts?” Trump said.

Trump went on to dive into politics anyway — blasting the media, pushing for the repeal of Obamacare and making a pointed remark about “loyalty.”

Listing off the virtues of Boy Scouts at the West Virginia speech, Trump said: “As the scout law says, a scout is trustworthy, loyal,” Trump said, before adding, “We could use some more loyalty, I will tell you that.”

Trump’s comments came the same day he called Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was in the Boy Scouts, “beleaguered” in a tweet expressing his frustration over the ongoing Russia investigations.

At the event, Trump also warmly recalled his victory against Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.

“Do you remember that famous night on television, November 8?” Trump asked.

He told the Scouts that Republicans had a tremendous disadvantage in the Electoral College and that the popular vote, which he lost to Clinton, “is much easier.” He went on to tell the Scouts his victory was “an unbelievable tribute to you and all of the other millions and millions of people that came out and voted for Make America Great Again.”