The final presidential debate on Wednesday night revealed more disturbing traits about Donald Trump. His lack of chivalry and patriotism was on full display for the world to see.
When Trump and Hillary walked to their podium, he failed to walk over and shake Hillary's hand. He had another opportunity at the end of the debate but he again missed it. In the second debate, he also did not shake Hillary's hand. Perhaps Trump believes that shaking Hillary's hand is political correctness — something he said he disdains.
By not shaking Hillary's hand Donald Trump not only showed his lack of chivalry it showed that he is not a unifier. He is a man who is thin skinned and vindictive — qualities that do not suggest a unifier.
Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner — Waldorf Astoria Hotel, NY
Trump again showed his lack of chivalry at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner last night at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NY. After his speech, he shook some hands but walked by Hillary sitting one chair away from him without shaking her hand. It was only after Hillary finished her speech that Cardinal Timothy Dolan got the two candidates to shake hands.
Donald Trump's lack of chivalry and opportunity to show that he is a unifier was eclipsed later on in the debate when moderator Chris Wallace asked him,
Mr. Trump, I want to ask you about one last question in this topic. You have been warning at rallies recently that this election is rigged and that Hillary Clinton is in the process of trying to steal it from you…sir, that you will absolutely accept the result of this election?
This was Trump's response,
I will look at it at the time. I'm not looking at anything now. I'll look at it at the time.
When Trump tried to avoid answering the question, Wallace followed up with,
But, sir, there is a tradition in this country -- in fact, one of the prides of this country -- is the peaceful transition of power and that no matter how hard-fought a campaign is, that at the end of the campaign that the loser concedes to the winner. Not saying that you're necessarily going to be the loser or the winner, but that the loser concedes to the winner and that the country comes together in part for the good of the country. Are you saying you're not prepared now to commit to that principle?
Trump responded with what he thought was funny,
What I'm saying is that I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense. OK?
This is not the first time that Donald Trump has shown his unpatriotic sentiments to the cherished institution of the electoral system. After Pres. Obama won re-election against Mitt Romney in 2012, he said, "We should have a revolution in this country," and made a number of tweets including these:
Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump has presented himself as the only man who can fix America's problems. Sadly, his supporters believe him even when he has no political or public service experience. Even more disturbing they have ignored the many flaws that make unfit to be president.
He has made vulgar comments about what he has done to women - comments that would have doomed his candidacy immediately. Instead, his supporters still give him hope that he can win.
Fortunately, for America, there are still more reasonable and principled people than Donald Trump supporters who will go to the polls on November and vote against him. Because when it comes to doing the right thing, America gets it right when it matters