One of the campaign slogans on which Donald Trump seeks re-election in 2020 is, “Promises Made, Promises Kept.” And I expect any Democratic candidate for president would jump on this immediately.  All he or she needs to do is echo sportscaster Warner Wolf, “Let’s go to the video tape.”  At every campaign rally, Democrats should remind voters of the litany of Trump’s unfulfilled pledges.  Just imagine if every Democrat included the following at every campaign venue.

You know, if Donald Trump was capable of telling the truth, here’s what one of his campaign rants would sound like.

I promised to repeal and replace Obamacare with better and cheaper health insurance.  Sorry, I did not.

I promised to reform the tax code so the wealthy paid their fair share and the middle class got a sorely needed tax break.  Sorry, I did just the opposite.

I promised to balance the federal budget in eight years.  Sorry, I’m afraid that isn’t going to happen and I pity the fool who succeeds me because I’ve made it much worse.

I promised to “drain the swamp.”  Sorry, how was I to know so many of my appointees would have to resign due to corrupt behavior, incompetence or both?

I promised to revitalize the coal industry and bring back thousands of coal-related jobs.  Sorry, I guess I was wrong.

I promised to de-nuclearize North Korea.  Sorry, but all I have to show for my efforts are three photo ops.

I took an oath to protect the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  Sorry, but I realized acknowledging Russian interference in our elections would raise questions about the legitimacy of my presidency.  Or that white supremacists and neo-Nazi were a significant percentage of my base.

I could go on and on, but this is only half the story.  On November 2, 2018 at a rally in Columbia, Missouri, Trump went one step farther telling his supporters, “I’ve kept promises I didn’t even make.”  Despite the fact this statement defies logic, I have to agree.  Thus, the second half of every Democratic campaign address should also include the following.

Donald Trump is now telling us he has kept promises he never made.  I have to admit, for once he is telling in the truth.

He did not promise to force more and more owners of small farms to file bankruptcy due to his trade wars, but he has.

Nor did he promise a $31 billion redistribution of federal funds, mostly to international agribusiness conglomerates to compensate them for lost revenues due to his tariffs.  But he did.

He did not promise he would politicize the Department of Justice or appoint his personal Roy Cohn to be attorney general, but he has.

He did not promise he would take the word of Vladimir Putin over that of the U.S. intelligence community, but he did.

He did not promise he would be named an un-indicted co-conspirator in the Stormy Daniels cover-up, but he was.

He did not promise he would overturn security clearance recommendations for his son-in-law and other administration staff, but he did.

He did not promise that he would separate infants and children from their parents seeking asylum in the United States nor incarcerate them in overcrowded and inhumane conditions, but he did and continues to do so.

He did not promise he would make Americans pay for his golf outings, but as of July 2019 he has spent over $340 million for 193 trips to Trump properties. (Source: Forbes)

He did not promise he would ignore Article I of the Constitution, but he has by re-appropriating federal funds without congressional approval or ignoring Congress’ efforts to perform oversight of the executive branch.

He did not promise he would continually violate the emoluments clause of the Constitution with foreign officials and lobbyists lining his pockets by patronizing Trump Organization hotels and resorts.  But he does including recommending that the next G7 meeting be held at Trump Doral in Florida.  [NOTE: Will Trump request congressional approval as required under Article II?]

He did not promise he would promote racial division by verbally attacking people of color, but he does.

He did not promise he would give white supremacists and neo-Nazi cover to spew hatred and commit acts of domestic terrorism, but he has.

And most recently, he did not promise he would rush to help Russia deal with wildfires in Siberia, but not California.  Yesterday, he did.

Yes Donald, you have done many things you did not promise to do. Which begs the question, what other non-promises do you have up your sleeve over the next 18 months or the next five and a half years, if re-elected?  If nothing else, like the Hokey-Pokey, that is what the 2020 election is all about.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP