Michael Medved: No, actually, this is what democracy looks like

Inauguration Day has been good to Donald Trump. Not just because he was sworn in as president of the United States, but also because people are protesting him. According to Conservative commentator Michael Medved, even protesters are good for Trump. Between the opposition and the inauguration, it also boils down to an example of what democracy looks like — and what it doesn’t.

Related: Seattle filled with multiple anti-Trump protests

“There is one thing I know for sure about Donald Trump,” Medved said. “In his business, in his personal life, in his political career, he has a habit. It is a very useful habit for a politician. It’s a habit of converting obstacles into advantages.”

“At this moment, Trump has a huge advantage,” he said. “There are morons out in the street. There are sincere people in the street, too. But I don’t think sincere people throw rocks at police officers, vandalize cars and smash windows, all the while chanting ‘This is what democracy looks like.’ No, it’s not.”

“This is good news for Trump … aren’t they helping Trump?” he added. “… low expectations work for Trump, because he turns obstacles into advantages. He’s doing it again.”

What democracy looks like

Medved has been a critic of Trump since he first began his run for the presidency. And even leading up to the inauguration, he had his doubts about the man. But he was pleased, even inspired as events unfolded on Jan. 20.

“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this because Trump is Trump,” Medved said. “… this is a very good start.”

If there is a good example of what democracy looks like, Medved said it was at a lunch with Trump and congressional leaders on Inauguration Day. Various leaders, Democrats and Republicans, made statements.

“You know who spoke well?” Medved said. “Nancy Pelosi spoke well, and honored the new president and vice president. Chuck Schumer spoke well. Paul Ryan spoke exceptionally well.”

Finally, the mic was turned over to Donald Trump. His remarks were brief, but Medved said it was “such a good sign.”

Trump said:

There is something that I wanted to say. I was very honored, very honored when I heard that president Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton were coming today. I’d like you to stand up. I’d like you to stand up (motioning to the Clintons). There’s nothing more I can say, because I have a lot of respect for those two people. Thank you all for being here. We are going to have four great years, hopefully of peace and prosperity … We all want the same thing. We are all good people. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, doesn’t make any difference. We are going to get along.

“The applause for President Clinton and Secretary Clinton when they stood up, both of them were beaming,” Medved noted. “Obviously, it was meaningful to them – the applause went on for several minutes. It was thunderous.”

“This is what Democracy looks like,” he said. “Hard fought election. Serious issues. And now a new president, and a new Congress get together to make a real start on making the country better.”

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