Art of the Deal

Since Trump is an out of the box type politician many seasoned reporters are having a difficult time trying to figure him out. I have a suggestion and that is to consider his art of the deal approach. Trump expressed concern about Obama notifying the enemy of troop movements. Things like saying we will put so many troops in on such date and remove so many on another date. Trump likes to negotiate much like a union does with a company. The company says we can only give you a cost of living raise of 2% and the union asks for 10% hoping to end up with 4%. When Trump says he will place an import tax of 35% he is negotiating but the press takes it as gospel. When he says he will build a wall and Mexico will pay for it he is negotiating. Talking with the President of Taiwan is the set up to negotiate with China on other matters. With great surprise reporters will ask if he is saying one thing when he means another and the answer is yes. Most people know that what is said during a campaign is often different from what happens after the election. Anyone who has ever been involved in a negotiation understands that the starting point is not where things end up. Most understand that in the bargaining stage some secrecy is necessary but when the final product emerges there needs to be openness. Many in the press are amazed at the openness Trump has exhibited with has cabinet picks. Some even complain that it is too open saying he should not be tweeting about every interview. Once again this is out of the box stuff that is just too much for experienced political reporters.