WASHINGTON ¨C If you look beyond Donald Trump¡¯s comprehensive unpleasantness ¡ª is there a disagreeable human trait he does not have? ¡ª you might see this: He is a fundamentally sad figure. His compulsive boasting is evidence of insecurity. His unassuageable neediness suggests an aching hunger for others¡¯ approval to ratify his self-admiration. His incessant announcements of his self-esteem indicate that he is not self-persuaded. Now, panting with a puppy¡¯s insatiable eagerness to be petted, Trump has reveled in the approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin, murderer and war criminal.
Putin slyly stirred America¡¯s politics by saying Trump is ¡°very ... talented,¡± adding that he welcomed Trump¡¯s promise of ¡°closer, deeper relations,¡± whatever that might mean, with Russia. Trump announced himself flattered to be ¡°so nicely complimented¡± by a ¡°highly respected¡± man: ¡°When people call you brilliant, it¡¯s always good.¡±
When MSNBC¡¯s Joe Scarborough said Putin ¡°kills journalists, political opponents and invades countries,¡± Trump replied that ¡°at least he¡¯s a leader.¡± Besides, Trump breezily asserted, ¡°I think our country does plenty of killing also.¡± Two days later, Trump, who rarely feigns judiciousness, said: ¡°It has not been proven that he¡¯s killed reporters.¡±
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