1. If we judge by the lowest of low bars, then Trump is doing slightly better in the last week (at least acknowledges problem is real) but it's still a disaster. One big problem is Trump isn't even using a lot of powers he has, like getting factories to make medical supplies
2. The president has a lot of power. Governors like Cuomo and mayors of cities can only take up so much slack because they don't have the full resources of the federal government -- i.e. Trump could order the Army Corps of Engineers to build makeshift hospitals.
3. Trump keeps loading off stuff that the Federal government is best equipped to do on the Governors. That's a real problem. There is a power vacuum at the top:
4. Beyond Trump's unwillingness or inability or incapacity to be a forceful leader, his management style remains chaotic. He continues to allow Jared Kushner to run a shadow "team" that is mucking up the government response.
5. So, Trump's not up for the job. But America absolutely needs a competent leader at the top who can deploy federal resources. What's the solution? The way forward, I think, is for the Democrats to push for a Coronavirus Czar.
6. Normally, appointing a Czar is a bad idea (it's autocratic, not responsive to political constituencies). But given the current situation we need a walk-around for Trump's incompetence. He's not up for the job and there has to be a leader.
7. The Dems could use leverage they have because Trump needs their stimulus votes (and also bipartisan cover in an emergency).
8. Who could be the Coronavirus Czar? Perhaps Ronald Klain (who oversaw the Ebola crisis). But imagine Elizabeth Warren in that role. I make the case here: thenation.com/article/societ…
