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.

This is one of three departments I direct with full and complete authority to run each as I see fit. Thus, the decision on quotes to include is mine and mine alone. The comments, of course, are mine, as well.

From the Wall Street Journal: “Bob Woodward’s new book ‘Fear’ does not paint a different picture of the early Trump White House than the one that has already emerged from credible news organizations in daily reporting on President Trump. Rather, the book fills in details of a presidency led by an ignorant, impulsive and dishonest narcissist — and the people around him who enable or restrain his worst instincts.”

Comment: To say the Trump White House is disorganized is to employ a start understatement. I find myself wondering how experienced leaders, such as White House chief of staff John Kelly can tolerate the public musings of a disconnected president.

From Washington Post Supreme Court correspondent Jess Bravin: “The 12 hours Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh spent testifying Wednesday served only to entrench each party’s preconceptions of the judge—a brilliant, principled jurist humbly serving the law (to Republicans) or a duplicitous right-wing ideologue selected to secure President Trump’s grip on power (the Democratic view).”

Comment: The confirmation process before the Senate Judiciary Committee – using the word “process” does not apply accurately to the circus – was another testament to government gone awry. Democrats on the committee couldn’t hold their tongues in a way committee members normally – and appropriately – do when the person with the gavel tries to preserve order. Vote no on Kavanaugh if you must, I say, but honor the traditions and processes of Senate confirmation as you do.

From Michael Gerson in the Washington Post: “Here is the increasingly evident reality of the Trump era: We are a superpower run by a simpleton. From a foreign policy perspective, this is far worse than being run by a skilled liar. It is an invitation to manipulation and contempt.

“What we are finding from books, from insider leaks and from investigative journalism is that the rational actors who are closest to the president are frightened by his chaotic leadership style. They describe a total lack of intellectual curiosity, mental discipline and impulse control. Should the views of these establishment insiders really carry more weight than those of Uncle Clem in Scranton, Pennsylvania? Why yes, in this case, they should. We should listen to the voices of American populism in determining public needs and in setting policy agendas — but not in determining political reality.

Comment: I have found myself trying to find words to describe Trump with so many options at my disposal. But, Gerson, one of my favorite writers, come up with a new one this time around – “simpleton.” Exactly right! As Gerson writes, Trump’s “total lack of intellectual curiosity, mental discipline and impulse control” compromises his presidency.