A Los Angeles Times work, by way of the Chicago Tribune:
Fight to define Trump's presidency will be waged between two competing factionsFresh from a successful battle against a Democratic opponent, Donald Trump’s attention must now turn to defining his presidency.
His campaign offered two divergent approaches. He was a disruptive rabble-rouser when it came to general demeanor and his immigration and national security stances. He was a more conventional Republican when it came to his social-issue positions and economic concerns.
The warring options were on sharp display overnight into Friday.
Responding to protests around the country Thursday night, Trump first issued a tweet in keeping with the defiant tone of his campaign that “professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!”
Nine hours later came one that was more presidential in approach, if a reversal from his first sentiment.
“Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!” he said.
The early discussions about key positions in his administration included similarly opposed sentiments, suggesting that Trump has yet to lock down precisely how he will approach governing the nation.
Among those being considered for presidential chief of staff — the figure who more than any other determines how well a White House works, and at what — was Stephen Bannon, who took a leave as chairman of Breitbart News to serve as Trump’s campaign CEO.
Bannon is a controversial figure even among Republicans, seen in the campaign as encouraging Trump’s more eye-opening stunts such as his news conference with several women who accused former President Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct. He also fanned some of Trump’s incendiary rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims and African-Americans. But he has no experience in governing or keeping on track an organization as large as the executive branch.
Another person being considered was the far more button-down Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, an establishment figure who has close ties to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin and other GOP leaders, having helped run the party for almost six years.
Bannon and Priebus share an alliance with Trump, but little else. The pick is seen as essential to Trump’s direction since the chief of staff often has the president’s ear just before a decision is reached.
The picture is no clearer for other top Cabinet posts, such as secretary of state. Trump is considering Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, a consensus builder in the Senate who is well-liked across the aisle. But he is also looking at former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, one of the most aggressive neoconservative hawks during the George W. Bush administration and a favorite among the Breitbart set.
Adding further uncertainty, on Friday afternoon Trump shook up his transition team, announcing that Vice President-elect Mike Pence would take over, replacing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
As much as staffing, Trump’s presidency also will be defined by the issues he chooses to take up early in his administration. Already, outside groups and Republicans on Capitol Hill, who will continue to control both houses, are pressuring Trump to make good on myriad and sometimes competing campaign promises. And they are moving into the vacuum formed by the lack of substantive policy proposals in the campaign.
Trump’s success in Tuesday’s election rested on running against both parties, Democrats and Republicans alike. That suggests that he may end up cutting a distinct path untethered to the traditional lines, even Republican ones.
More:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-donald-trump-presidency-20161112-story.html
