DAVE ROSS

What happened to ‘scandal mode’ following Wiregate?

Mar 13, 2017, 8:06 AM

It has now been nine days since President Trump accused Barack Obama of tapping the wires at Trump Tower.

And I’ve noticed something: When the tweets first appeared, newsrooms were in full scandal mode.

Related: Is President Trump withholding evidence or just a Magic 8 Ball?

Fox News Security Consultant Tony Schaefer in particular, who said Trump Tower was “wired for sound” to the best of the Obama Administration’s ability.

“This is an order of magnitude worse than Watergate,” Schaefer said. “We’re talking about the potential of indictments of a former sitting president and his staff.”

Even some regular people were in full scandal mode – like this Trump supporter who goes by the YouTube handle “Watchman for Jesus” and posted a broadcast from his parked car.

“I’m sure that President Trump would not have Tweeted what he did if he didn’t have the evidence to back it up. And it means that Obama could be indicted.”

But I don’t sense that most Americans are anywhere near ready to do that. And I think I know why. Because people just assume this president doesn’t mean half of what he says. And they’re cool with that.

They just accept that we now have a president who likes to troll.

Even House Speaker Paul Ryan, when he was asked about it on Face The Nation, brushed it off.

It’s like Trump said during the campaign – he can act presidential when he needs to, but he’d rather have a little fun.

And to get angry at him for that is like getting angry with an actor for the character he plays.

President Frank Underwood does things that are WAY worse, but no one gets angry at Kevin Spacey because of it.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

Image: From left, Chris Sullivan, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien stand together in the KIRO Newsradi...

MyNorthwest Staff

Dave and Colleen’s final ‘SMN:’ KIRO colleagues, politicians say their goodbyes

"Seattle's Morning News" on KIRO Newsradio will soon have a new sound. On Thursday, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien will host their last show together after a decade of co-hosting.

2 years ago

Classical literature on bookshelves. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross as you’ve never heard him before: ‘I like fat books and I can’t deny’

"This song, inspired by one of my first interviews when I started my talk show, which was Sir Mix-A-Lot," Dave Ross said.

2 years ago

national debt...

Dave Ross

‘Don’t cut a cent:’ Dave Ross on why the national debt never gets under control

The national debt now exceeds $36 trillion, and every president says it has to be under control. And yet, it never is.

2 years ago

voters hormone...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters weren’t just voting for change, they were voting for a hormone

The more I read the post-election analysis, the more I’m convinced voters weren’t just voting for a change – they were voting for a hormone.

2 years ago

ross o'brien - Seattle's Morning News...

Frank Sumrall

Dave Ross, Colleen O’Brien departing after co-hosting ‘Seattle’s Morning News’ for a decade

Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien, the co-hosts of "Seattle's Morning News" on KIRO Newsradio are both leaving the show.

2 years ago

election day...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross: Election Day and Decision Day are two separate things

Tomorrow is Election Day – that’s what the calendar says. But there are two problems with the term "Election Day."

2 years ago

What happened to ‘scandal mode’ following Wiregate?