Five reasons to give Trump a ‘fair shake’

More than a month after the presidential election, thousands of Americans are still reeling over Donald Trump’s stunning victory. Many people are marching, demonstrating, ranting on social media, and refusing to accept that Donald Trump will be the next president. 
 
I believe all Americans must give an elected winner the opportunity to execute his or her responsibilities appropriately, regardless if they support that candidate. For the sake of the country, it’s vital that President-elect Trump is successful during his term. 
 
Here are five reasons to give the next president an opportunity to succeed:
 
1. We Have No Choice. Donald Trump won the election. Many people argue that he should not be president because he lost the popular count by more than 2 million votes. The popular vote does not determine the outcome of a presidential election; the Electoral College does.  Even if the president-elect makes major missteps at the beginning of his term, he will not be booted out of Washington, D.C. for at least four more years.  

2. All Presidential Candidates Evolve from the Campaign Trail to the White House. During a heated campaign, candidates often make controversial statements to get attention. While the president-elect may have taken controversy to a new level, he is softening on some of his hardline stances. It’s likely he’ll step back on more. For instance, he said during the campaign that climate change was a hoax. He may be backing off and admitting there are some viable environmental concerns. He recently met with former Vice President Al Gore, who reported that he had, “a lengthy and very productive session with the president-elect.”  All presidents adjust their positions as the realities of the office set in.  
 
3. Most Americans Want to See a Shake-Up in D.C. Trump has said he wants to free Washington, D.C. from the influence of lobbyists and career politicians who pass self-serving laws. These ideas merit an honest discussion and an open debate. While the president-elect has named career politicians and lobbyists to various posts, he’s also looked to the private sector for some unconventional problem solving.  Maybe that’s not such a bad thing if it results in meaningful change. Americans are clearly dissatisfied with the status quo. It’s why both Trump and Bernie Sanders were able to elicit such overwhelming support.
 
4. The Carrier Deal. Trump announced that Carrier Corp., an air conditioning manufacturer, will reduce the number of jobs it planned to move from Indiana to Mexico. While it’s likely that the $7 million tax breaks from the state of Indiana had a lot to do with Carrier’s decision, a little pressure from the president-elect certainly helped.  The business community will likely cry foul that the free market is being interfered with, but the American public wants results, not rhetoric. Americans want their elected officials to do more to create and protect jobs at home. If President-elect Trump can save more jobs with personal appeals or incentives, is that such a bad thing? 
 
5. Trump Will Hopefully Learn Quickly.  Trump is not the first president elected to have no military experience. President Obama is among took office without any foreign affairs, military or national security experience. No incoming president can be expected to be an expert on every topic. That’s why the president has a cabinet and other advisors. The president must be disciplined, ask the right questions, and listen attentively. Some of the announced members of his administration are experienced professionals who will guide him and help him make good decisions. Other announced members with less experience will breathe fresh life into government, resulting in a balance between experience and innovation.
 
It’s unfair and unwise to say that the president-elect will fail before he has taken office. Sabotaging Trump’s presidency helps no one.

Ritch K. Eich was Chief of Public Affairs for Blue Shield of California. He is co-founder of Eich Associated, a management consulting firm.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.