Two Masterful Communicators

Many Ronald Reagan 'lovers' championed the late president as 'The Great Communicator.' Personally, I never bought that line. Any person who begins most responses to questions with, "Well..." does not suggest to me that a great communicator is about to speak! Without question both former President Franklin D. Roosevelt and current President Donald J. Trump outshine Reagan when it comes to 'communicating.'

FDR served as president from 1933-until his death in-1945. Consider, if you will that he was at the leadership helm coming out of a Great Depression and during World War II. His challenges were great and in an effort to lift the hopes and spirits of a downtrodden nation, President Roosevelt see the relatively new media tool called 'radio' and established his famous 'Fireside Chats.' Thirty-one times over a 13-year period, Roosevelt 'talked' to Americans as he connected a government for the people with the people.

Today, President Trump has essentially eliminated the long-standing White House Press Conference, which traditionally offered insight into our governments 'thinking' and policy intentions. Instead, Trump uses two modern-day media tools to communicate: He tweets over the Internet continuously and before leaving the White House on Presidential trips, he stands nearby a helicopter on the White House grounds and shouts opinions, insults and answers to a press corps as a nation of confused and divided people's watches via television. Once finished with his 'Chopperside Chats,' Trump heads to a political rally where he continues his insults and personally denigrates anybody opposing his views.

FDR was a master with his words, which called upon our better angels; Trump is equally masterful at tapping the hateful evilness in our midst. Whereas FDR lifted the 'WE' spirit of a nation, Trump gives impetus to disagreements and hostilities thus creating a greater chasm between people, which perpetuates 'Us vs. Them' attitudes.

Actually, one might make a strong case that Trump is a better communicator than was FDR. And then perhaps, today's America simply has an insatiable appetite for hate, racial bigotry and religious intolerance.