Don Clement: Breaking tradition

Me thinks J. Peder Zane doth protest too much (“Democrats may be incapable of taking the high road,” Nov. 23 column).

He accused Democrats of practicing identity politics, of being self-righteous and of feeling infallible. Really? Did he never listen to Donald Trump?

I’m as opposed as Zane is to hypocrisy and condescension. That’s why I had to oppose Trump. It’s why I, and about half the population, are roiled by the election. We voted to oppose the very things Zane condemns.

Zane says all efforts “to muzzle free speech” come from the left. Again, really? Did he miss Trump’s boasting (ill-informed as it was) that he would open up the libel laws to go after the media? Did he miss Trump’s chastising the cast of “Hamilton” for its quiet, civil statement?

Zane’s complaining that President Obama breaks with tradition by reserving the right to criticize Trump sounds almost quaint.

We all agree the election was exceptional. Trump worked to undermine it by claiming it was rigged. He did not release his tax returns. He threatened to jail his opponent. He denied saying things we all heard on tape. Trump is all about breaking tradition. Let’s hope that’s all he breaks.

This story was originally published December 3, 2016 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Don Clement: Breaking tradition."