And, in the midst of it all, there is a presidential election, one in which the ability of the candidates to engage with the public — the most fundamental aspect of politicking — is being thrown into question. Candidates like to talk about that 3 a.m. phone call, that split second when their resolve would be tested. The campaign we’ve all followed for months is over; something very different and deeply unpredictable is beginning. “The tables can turn quickly.”Over the past 18 hours, we’ve gotten a preview of our new politics. Last night, the country watched President Trump deliver a monotone Oval Office address, only to have various administration officials quickly step in to correct several policies that he had announced.

Source: New York Times March 12, 2020 23:26 UTC