BILL O'REILLY (HOST): Donald Trump criticized Mr. Khan and his wife while Hillary Clinton did not directly confront Ms. Smith, other than saying she might have misheard some stuff. Lesson number one for Donald Trump commenting on regular folks, fraught with danger, no matter what they say. To be fair, Khizr Khan did seem rather orchestrated at the convention.
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A contrived sound bite to be sure. But, as an American, the man has the absolute right to make it. Trump then fired back, pointing out Mrs. Khan said nothing, and that might have been because of how some Muslims see women. That comment was enough to start a media frenzy which was focused negative attention on Mr. Trump.
Lesson number two. Any reference to a minority, here Muslims, also fraught with danger. Then, of course, the partisan piling on began, topped off today by President Obama. Donald Trump will be here momentarily, and we will play you the president's sound bite so he can react. Simply the fair thing to do, right?
Now, all powerful people have to know that calling folks out has to be done surgically. If a family has lost a son fighting for America, you simply cannot hit them with a broadside no matter what they say. You have to let it go. If you “punch down,” as the saying goes, the media will label you a bully or worse, if you are a conservative, if you are a Republican. Not always fair but that's the reality.
Final lesson. Trump's only chance at winning the presidency is to stay on message. America is in decline, and he can fix it. If he fights everyone who comes after him, he will lose. And, believe me, the Democrats are lining up legions of people to come after him.
