Donald Trump plays nice

What a week in politics. Following the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton got the bump in poll numbers expected after a party’s convention. But her numbers cause concern because her challenger, Donald Trump, had a week in which he made some costly missteps. Those missteps included sparring with the Khans, a Gold Star family — although they started it — and refusing to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan. The week even found some Republicans endorsing Hillary Clinton, rather than their partymate.

Mind you, it was a week where Trump should have found himself in an enviable position. First, Hillary Clinton continued to tell the American people she has been truthful about her emails — something no one with a lick of sense believes, not even the souls who plan to vote for her. Second, the Obama administration was busted for paying $400 million in cash, in the dead of night, in an unmarked airplane as ransom to Iran for four American hostages. “We don’t pay ransom” is the steady refrain, but again, nobody with a lick of sense believes that.

The lying is sickening, but it’s also gold. Donald Trump should have been able to capitalize. Americans already distrust Hillary Clinton. And the more she lies, the more people distrust her. It’s one thing to lie; it’s another to keep lying about your lie. Clinton is perfecting the art, and that angers people.

The $400 million ransom to the No. 1 state sponsor of terror is worse. With all Trump’s outspokenness against the Iran deal, insistence that world leaders view Obama as weak and promises to combat terrorism,

this should have been a week of unparalleled indictment of President Obama and, by association, the Democratic Party, under whose banner his opponent Hillary Clinton campaigns. Instead, however, most of his time was spent focusing on the Khan family and how they “viciously attacked” him.

Mr. Khan did step to Trump, as the slang saying goes. That’s how it is in politics, though. If you’re in the hood or on the playground or anywhere other than the national stage, you can step back. But if you’re running for the highest office in the land, you have to know when to just keep on stepping. Why? Because punching down is not in your game plan and is beneath you.

It appears some advisers have made Trump aware of this because as of Friday, Clinton and the Obama team aren’t the only ones being less than honest. In an effort to right the ship, Trump finally endorsed Speaker Ryan against opponent Paul Nehlen in today’s Primary. He also endorsed Senators John McCain and Kelly Ayotte. Granted, he did so with the enthusiasm that most students will exhibit as they head back to school this month. He appeared to be motivated only by the party unity for which everyone is calling. In fact, in his lackluster endorsement, which he uncharacteristically read from paper, he said, “In our shared mission to make America great again, I support and endorse our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.” Hardly glowing praise. He then, as if to throw the Wisconsin crowd a bonus, announced, “And while I’m at it, I hold in the highest esteem Sen. John McCain, and I fully support and endorse his re-election,” then called Ayotte “a rising star” and endorsed her also.

And no one believed him. No one believed his heart was in it.

And here’s what I believe. Trump made a calculated decision. Shortly after his endorsement, one of his most ardent supporters, former governor Sarah Palin, reposted on social media her endorsement of Paul Ryan’s opponent. The former Republican vice presidential nominee wrote, “Proud to be standing with Paul Nehlen since May 9th — Wisconsin please vote for this man ‘of the people’ this Tuesday!”

At first glance, one might think there was a break between Palin and Trump. Why else would she immediately follow his endorsement with a reminder of hers? But careful examination, and her subsequent postings, reveal that she is very much still on the Trump train. Furthermore, YouTube sensations Diamond and Silk, who gained a large following via their pro-Trump comedic videos, also endorsed Nehlen on that same day. These ladies have become Trump’s quasi-spokespeople, and he has embraced their support, but they endorsed Nehlen, not Trump’s guy.

So what’s the deal? Methinks it’s Trump at his best: He did what he was advised to do. He did the politically advantageous thing to stop the bleeding. He made the obligatory endorsements. But his surrogates aren’t running for anything. So Trump plays nice with Ryan, gives the wink and nod to his supporters and they push for Ryan’s challenger. People like Palin have many supporters who will respond to that push. If anyone thinks either the timing of her re-praise for Nehlen or Diamond and Silk’s video was coincidence ... well, think again.

It remains to be seen, of course, whether Trump will be able to transition to Mr. Nice Guy permanently, remain on message and take advantage of the assistance his supporters give him — and the red meat Democrats lay before him.

Adrienne Ross is an author, speaker, columnist, editor, educator and Southeast Missourian editorial board member. Reach her at aross@semissourian.com.