EDITORIAL: Trump should begin healing nation tonight

Feb. 28--While it is technically not a State of the Union address, when President Donald Trump addresses his first joint session of Congress tonight, it will have all the trappings of one.

The House sergeant at arms will herald Trump's arrival with the traditional announcement: "Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States." This will be followed by thunderous applause and cheers from the Republicans, and polite clapping from the Democratic side.

Trump will take his time getting to the podium, shaking hands and chatting with members of Congress along the way, before being introduced again, this time by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who will say: "Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor to present to you the president of the United States."

This will be followed by more rapturous applause by the Republicans and some clapping by the Democrats.

Presidents love this event because no matter how rancorous the political climate may be, the American public is seeing them getting an enormous amount of respect while they lay out their vision for the country directly to the people.

At no time was this more evident than in 1998, when Bill Clinton, mired in the disgrace of the Monica Lewinsky incident, received all the trappings of the office as the ritual unfolded.

"These are good times for America .... The state of our union is strong," Clinton said. He was able to tell his audience about low inflation and unemployment, a declining crime rate and an enormous budget surplus. At least for that night, he wasn't the scandal-ridden "Slick Willie." He was the president of the United States.

That ingrained respect for the office, if not the man, is what made what Republican Congressman Joe Wilson did at Barack Obama's joint session speech in 2009 such an infamous breach of etiquette.

Wilson interrupted Obama's address by yelling out, "You lie!" Twice.

No such outbursts are expected tonight from the Democratic side when Trump makes his speech, but given his unpredictable nature, things could get interesting. As long as the president stays on point -- he is expected to recommend a $54 billion hike in defense spending along with cuts to domestic programs -- he will be fine.

Democrats may not like what he has to say about immigration, abortion rights or health care, but that is part of the normal byplay between the parties as a president goes through his laundry list of priorities.

However, if Trump rails on about the "dishonest" media or attacks the judiciary, that would only be counterproductive. Will he be pugnacious and defiant, insisting as is his wont, on replaying the 2016 election over and over again, making up irrational statistics as he pleases?

Or will he be wise enough to see that the country he leads is becoming more divided each day, not totally, but in large part because of him? Will he choose to try to unite the nation, or will he miss the once-a-year opportunity that this prestigious event provides him.?

As Abraham Lincoln (borrowing from Mark: 3:25 and Matthew 12:22-28) said, "a house divided against itself cannot stand."

Mr. Trump would be well-advised to begin the healing process, and there is no better time than the present.

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