Low-road presidency

Analysis by Chris Cillizza, CNN Editor-at-large
Updated 10:30 AM ET, Fri October 20, 2017

... Suddenly the story wasn't about the death of Johnson. It was about whether Trump had "proof" that Wilson was lying. (He didn't -- although White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said several people, including chief of staff John Kelly, were listening to the call and thought the President handled it well.) About what, exactly, Trump had said. Over Wilson being "wacky." Over whether she "secretly" listened to the call between Trump and Johnson. (She didn't; the call was taken on speakerphone.)

This storyline has become de rigeur for Trump. In virtually every situation to date in his presidency -- and in his time as a candidate -- when Trump has been presented with the chance to take the high road, to act in a way consistent with the 43 men who have held the office before him, he has veered off onto the low road ...

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/20/politics/donald-trump-frederica-wilson/index.html