The coronavirus’ relentless spread is exposing Donald Trump to a question no president wants to hear: Is he up to the job?
For supporters and opponents alike, questions about Trump’s basic competence as a manager of the federal government have taken a back seat during his presidency to the fierce controversies over his personal behavior, his language (particularly on issues relating to race and culture) and his policy agenda.
But the federal government’s unsteady response to the outbreak threatens Trump with the same public verdict that ultimately undermined predecessors such as Jimmy Carter during the Iranian hostage crisis and George W. Bush after Hurricane Katrina: a belief that he is simply overmatched by the practical demands of the presidency — though he gave himself a perfect 10 rating on Monday for his handling of the crisis. CONT.
Ronald Brownstein, CNN