Trump's Job 1: Show he's up to the task
Donald Trump has just provided Republicans in the U.S. with their greatest unanticipated opportunity since Ronald Reagan's first election in 1980.
At the same time, he has provided Republicans with their greatest challenge since … who knows when? The days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt? The agonizing days prior to, and just after, the resignation of Richard Nixon? Those days after 9/11 when there was uncertainty as to what might be next?
It is much too early - even for Trump - to know what the future holds for America, but Trump's first challenge is to provide assurance to Americans that he will have an acceptable plan for America's future.
He needs time to develop and fine-tune that plan, and he needs time to mend fences with Republican congressional leaders and other political leaders, including governors, mayors and others who must be included among his partners and allies.
Trump needs to extend a hand - both hands, actually - to Democrat congressional and state leaders and ask for their advice and guidance.
And he needs to do that soon - even today, if he hasn't already begun that task in the 30 or so hours since he was able to claim victory.
He needs to show Americans - and leaders of countries around the world - that the USA may have changed leadership but that America's commitment to democratic principles and to freedom remain intact and that even with a change in political leadership, this will be the same United States of America on January 21 that it was on November 7, the day before our election.
While Hillary Clinton would have faced many challenges as the first female president of the U.S., Trump probably faces even more challenges since he has to assure Americans and foreign leaders alike that he has the wisdom and integrity to keep the United States on the right track or, in those situations where the U.S. may have drifted off that track, to get us back where we belong.
Before the construction work begins to build Trump's wall between the U.S. and Mexico, Trump needs to meet with the President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, and discuss (and agree upon) ways the two neighbors can work together for what is best for both countries.
The same holds true for Canada. Trump needs to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and ask him to welcome with open arms all the Americans who promised they would move to Canada if he won. In some cases, it will be in the best interests of the United States if they do leave and promise (or threaten) not to come back as long as he is president of the United States.
Trump needs to be highly visible to Americans, at least for the next few weeks.
While some political and government "experts" would suggest that he needs to get together with his advisers or start interviewing prospective cabinet members, most Americans really need to see him on television in non-campaign mode so they can learn that he is not the boisterous, self-absorbed buffoonish blonde that they came to either like or despise during the lengthy campaign.
His wife and kids can (should) stay in the background, at least until a Thanksgiving family photo circulates, and another around Christmastime.
Americans should see their president-elect in serious meetings and discussions with current government leaders, perhaps with some foreign leaders, and with anyone else who can assure them that the new president of the United States really does have what it takes and really can lead our nation.
I think a lot of Americans (and others) need quick reassurance that he is up to the job.
Ed Murnane, edmurnane@gmail.com, of Arlington Heights, is a former staff member for presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and former regional administrator for the Small Business Administration. In 2015, he retired as president of the Illinois Civil Justice League.