The chin-stroking insta-reaction is in on Donald Trump’s hastily arranged press conference with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto: Trump was … “presidential.” That’s according to GOP-types, pundits, and even the stray Democrat.
Behold the conventional wisdom:
Hard when you’re a challenger to seem presidential. Trump standing there–for all the awkwardness–looks presidential. Good day for Trump.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 31, 2016
#PenaNieto & @realDonaldTrump press conf. Took real guts to take that risk & Trump just passed cmdr in chief test. WOW! #HillaryinHiding
— KT McFarland (@ktmcfarland) August 31, 2016
If you believe Trump needed to pivot, moderate and look more Presidential, that event was a home run.
— howard wolfson (@howiewolf) August 31, 2016
We’ll see how Trump acts in Arizona soon. But that presser/whole thing was very presidential looking.
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) August 31, 2016
A Presidential moment for @realDonaldTrump. Preview of the type of direct diplomacy we’ll see for the next 8 years
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) August 31, 2016
On political optics, an effective little trip – a more “presidential” and calm image than Trump’s news coverage over the past, say, 4 weeks.
— Ari Melber MSNBC (@AriMelber) August 31, 2016
That was the best we've seen Trump do. President Nieto helped make Trump look presidential.
— Douglas Heye (@DougHeye) August 31, 2016
If he continues to do things allowing people to visualize him as POTUS, race will tighten further. she's so weak. https://t.co/8b4gqDYTs8
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) August 31, 2016
