PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

If nothing else, Donald Trump’s run for President – especially in the last couple of weeks or so – conjures up two emotions.

On one hand, I wish he would get control of himself so he doesn’t say what is on his mind at the moment and end up violating every political rule in the book by going after people – the parents of the slain U.S. soldier, albeit a Muslim – or refusing to endorse (at least initially) three important Republicans, Senator John McCain, Senator Kelly Ayotte and House Speaker Paul Ryan.

On the other hand, given how bad Trump would be for the United States and the world if he were to gain the Presidency, I wish he would keep saying what he thinks, thus illustrating that he is THE most egotistical person who has run for the nation’s highest office. That way, he keeps alienating the very folks he needs to vote for him.

Most current polls show that Hillary Clinton has pulled ahead of Trump by as many as nine points in the last two weeks. Perhaps this is because of Trump’s ability to turn off voters as much as it is that Clinton is an attractive. But, whatever it is, I say so be it.

Of the two choices – two bad choices, in my view – Clinton is the lesser of two evils.

Will I vote for her? In the past, I have said a pox on both houses. But I am re-thinking that position. If voting for Clinton is the only way to help defeat Trump, a Clinton vote may be the best option.