One message I’d like to see a lot more of from the various presidential candidates not named Trump is a focus on restoring the many presidential norms that Trump has wrecked. 1/
“As president, I will engage respectfully with the press and recognize its vital role as a watchdog over our nation. I will not threaten journalists or media outlets for the way they cover my administration.” 2/
“As president, I will have no financial conflicts of interest. I will divest and establish blind trusts for all of my assets. I will require the same of my appointees.” 3/
“As president, I will comply with all ethics laws and guidance, even those that exempt the president for separation-of-powers reasons; and I will ensure compliance by all members of my administration. Ethical breaches will not be tolerated in my administration.” 4/
“As president, I will not praise foreign leaders who oppress their people, murder dissidents and journalists, or threaten or attack the United States. 5/
“As president, I will make every effort to ensure that my public statements are true to the best of my knowledge, and my spokespeople will be expected to do the same; and my office will swiftly correct any misinformation that it may issue when facts become better known.” 6/
“As president, I will nominate and appoint people to positions in my administration based on qualifications and character, not on familial or donor relationships or political support.” 7/
“As president, I will never ask for or require any pledge or affirmation of personal loyalty to me, nor give such a pledge to anyone in or out of the government. My oath of loyalty and allegiance is to the Constitution only.” 8/
“As president, I will set policy goals for our justice system and law enforcement; but I will never comment on or interfere with an ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice.” 9/
“As president, I will strive to keep essential functions of the executive branch fully staffed with competent people. I will ensure that my nominees are properly vetted. I will act quickly to fill vacancies and honor the advise-and-consent role of the Senate.” 10/
“As president, I will understand and abide by the Constitutional limits on my powers, and respect the coequal powers of Congress and the judiciary. I will work within the framework of the Constitution, not in tension with it.” 11/
"As president, I will protect the honor and safety of the nation's armed services by enforcing military discipline and holding accountable service members, contractors, and other personnel for any atrocities they commit." 12/
"As president, I will honor international treaties made by the United States government, recognizing that our reputation and the world's goodwill toward us have been instrumental to our national security. I will renegotiate unworkable terms without reneging on our word." 13/
"As president, I will treat those who disagree with my policies and actions with respect, understanding that competition of ideas, public debate, and conscientious dissent gave birth to our freedoms. I will engage my opponents as equals not inferiors, & refrain from insults." 14/
"As president, I will direct the government in response to natural disasters and other emergencies for all affected residents of the United States and its territories. I will never withhold or augment disaster aid based on political affiliation of those affected." 15/
"As president, I will use the pardon power only in the interests of justice, following the recommendations of advisors who are knowledgeable about the laws, circumstances, and ethics surrounding each petitioner's case. I will never dangle pardons for political leverage." 16/
"As president, I will take only such personal time as is necessary for my physical and mental health and to attend to my family's needs. I will subordinate my extra leisure interests to the duties and demands of the office." 17/
"As president, I will strive to be informed on issues that I am called upon to address, and will seek for knowledge from a diversity of sources, including those that are critical of me or take contrary stances. I'll read voraciously." 18/
"As president, I will make sure that my Cabinet, administration, and other employees are a diverse group in opinions, backgrounds, and life experiences. Collectively they will resemble and represent all Americans, not just one dominant group." 19/
"As president, I will put strict limits on time devoted to campaigning for myself or others. I will let my job performance largely speak for itself. I will not hold rallies of self-adulation but town halls and debates where I can be fairly challenged in mutual dialogue." 20/
