Thoughtfully, intelligent, and positive-- so un Trumpian!
590132
This was a great read that helped to clear up my own thinking on why so many people could be mislead by a man who constantly lies and thinks only of himself. We were certainly cheated out of the leader we Americans truly deserved by an archaic and un-democratic system of voting. Hamilton's electoral college may have worked two hundred years ago; but, it has long out lived its usefulness and now only exists to deny the concept of majority rule.
2242274
Captivating and engaging. I haven't been able to put it down. No matter what side of the fence you are on politically, this book is good and thoughtfully put together.

Mark is such a light in this dark world and I have to admit I was a misguided liberal before watching his videos. I couldn't stand the guy. But I've seen that what he's saying is true and I know the liberals want to believe they support justice and doing the right thing, but it's just not the case. Being intelligent means having an open mind and actually considering facts people. Stop being baby birds and having the media digest stories for you and puke it into your mouth. Let's use our brains.

And fans, if you really like and value Mark's hard work, please stop giving 1 star reviews. It's not classy.
3664664
This is an exceptionally well done biography of Donald Trump; put together by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher, supported by the staff of the "Washington Post".  The 'Post' has traditionally produced biographies of presidential candidates every four years, in an attempt to provide the electorate with timely information prior to the election.  This biography covers Trump's life up through the Republican Convention in June 2016.  As many reviewers have said, this book is not pro or anti Trump.  It is a clear-eyed, thorough, well-researched, and extensively annotated biography.  In the spring of 2016 after he secured sufficient delegates for the Republican nomination, Mr. Trump sat for extensive interviews with the authors.  Although produced in an extremely short amount of time, the book is interesting, well written, and thoughtful.  I feel it is at least a 4.5 star read.
Full disclosure: I am not a fan of Donald Trump.  He scares me.  And I'm afraid the book did not alleviate my concerns.  Throughout his life, really only one thing has been important to Donald Trump: Donald Trump.  Not family, not friendship, not religion, not country come before Donald Trump.  Secondly, truth is a concept that eludes him.  Or maybe what he says becomes the truth to him.  He has no discernible ideology - he's not a fiscal conservative, he's a recent convert to some aspects of social conservatism, he's officially changed his party affiliation at least seven times, and he's evasive about his  beliefs.  We truly don't know who this man really is philosophically or policy-wise.  Finally, he has an extremely steep learning curve in front of him and, to date, has shown very little evidence that he can be bothered with the necessary study/work the job requires.  That bodes extremely ill for the nation and the world.
What he is is perhaps the world's greatest showman/salesman (in the vein of P.T. Barnum).  He's a genius at picking up on the mood and desires of groups and crowds and feeding them what they want.  He's figured out how to sell his politics to a segment of society - a segment which he is not really part of.  He may have just completed one of the greatest scams in history - I guess we'll find out.
I highly recommend "Trump Revealed" by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher.
1845899
Want to read a tirade about the Trump presidency? If so, EVERYTHING TRUMP TOUCHES DIES (ETTD) should be near the top of your TBR pile. Interestingly, Rick Wilson, the author of this rant, is no ally of Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Instead, he is a rock-ribbed conservative who believes in small government, responsible spending, free trade, and international alliances. This, in Wilsons view, was what the Republican Party stood for before the Trump takeover.

But thats enough about Wilson. Heres a taste of his ranting: Everything we Never Trump folks warned you of, including massive, decades-long downstream election losses is coming. Alienating African Americans and Hispanics beyond redemption? Check. Raising a generation of young voters who are fleeing the GOP in droves? Check. Age-old beefs, juvenile complaints, and ego bruises taking center stage while the world burns? Check. Playing public footsie with white supremacists and neo-Nazis? Check. Blistering pig-ignorance about the economy and the world? Check. Pushing a tax bill that jacks economic inequality into the stratosphere? Check. Shredding the last iota of the GOPs credibility as a party that cares about debt, deficits, and fiscal probity? Check.

Interestingly, Wilson, who calls himself a master of political attack ads, acknowledges that he and his colleagues within the grown-ups wing of the Republican Partyhe includes William Kristol and George H. W. Bush in this groupbear responsibility for what Wilson definitely considers Trumps desecration of conservative politics and principles. Although Republicans, according to Wilson, have long tried to exploit the dark forces in American politics, they have, until Trump, always succeeded in corking the bottle after using racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and class resentment to win elections.  Then came the 2008 Presidential election. Wilson observes:

o The creature that emerged after Sarah Palin in 2008 kept growing, hungry not for policy victories that realigned the regulatory state, but for liberal tears, atavistic stompy-foot rages

o we fed the monster and trained it. I know how patronizing that sounds, the thought that we could activate andcall it what it ismanipulate voters. Well, we did. As the tools of data, targeting, and analytics improved, we got very, very good at it.

o We kept feeding the monster. We rewarded its darkest impulses. We brought it out when the time was right. The portfolio of messages, political rhetoric, and communication venues we built constituted a suite of powerful political tools.

o Then Trump came along. We lost control of those tools, the party, and the movement. The monster is out of its cage, and new trainers (both here and in Russia) encourage only its dumbest, darkest, most capricious, cruel, and violent behavior.

In his epilogue, Wilson posits two possible paths forward for American politics. The first he calls his Mad Max Outcome, which includes Donald Trump Jr. named as President in 2024 and the mysterious death of Rick Wilson in the crash of a small airplane. In contrast, he calls his second option the Big Reset and imagines the emergence of a new conservative movement in American politics. This second option, BTW, is the least persuasive element in ETTD since the Republican Party, in renouncing racism and resentment, becomes the conservative movement led by Bill Buckley, who was principled and quirky and never in power. Wilson gets the final word.

When Trump slithered down the golden escalator in his eponymous tower in 2015, I felt bile rising in my throat. This guy? This jackass? I was quite sure nothing had changed about his blustering ego, fever-swamp birtherism, and con-artist modus operandi. Given the ideological underpinnings of Trumpismslurry of barely coherent nationalism, third-world generalissimo swagger, and the worst economic ideas of the 19th centuryI recognized that he was an existential risk to the country, win or lose.
3999131
I'm going to recommend this to all of my friends! Unbalanced, witty, and insightful. I'm not a republican or a democrat, but I can certainly appreciate this heavy tome from Professor Bolt.

A fine piece.
315830
I honestly didn't know what to expect when my dad loaned me his copy of "Our Endangered Values." I have never read any of Jimmy Carter's books and I really don't know much about him. I grew up in the Reagan era. I do remember hearing that Carter was a humane president but that was all I knew. This book is surprising and insightful.

It is an intelligent discourse on what Carter sees is happening in our country today and what is going on with the current administration and with Congress. First, Carter talks about his religious background and what he believes in and gave several examples of what he considers to be Christian and what is to be a Fundamentalist. He then describes some of the Neo-Conservative movements that seems to be entrenched in Washington these days. It was interesting and no, I didn't feel that he was bashing anyone ~~ he was just simply stating facts, disturbing as they may be.

Then Carter goes on to describe some of the other moral problems that faces the US today in the international community. The Iraq war, the United Nations, the Kyoto Treaty, drilling in Alaska, Women's rights, foreign aid and so on. His chapter titles alone can provoke discussions. For example, The Entwining of Church and State, Sins of Divorce and Homosexuality, Must Women be Subservient? (That one was my favorite.) and so on. He provides facts and opinions for each of the issues he chose to cover in this book ~~ and while it might sound dry, it wasn't. It was thoughtfully written without overly trying to persuade the reader to his side of the argument. However, he did lay out pretty strong arguments and in this time where people are starting to question the state of affairs this country is in, the timing couldn't have been better.

If you are interested in reading about a moderate point of view (yes, Carter is a Democrat but he is more of a moderate than a leftist) regarding the current affairs in today's world, this book is a great choice. If you're interested in just knowing what a former president is thinking ~~ this one is a great choice. All around, this is a really good book. It has great arguments and is supported by facts that he has researched. It is also filled with tidbits to keep it interesting. It is just one of the best discourse I've read in a while.

1-11-06
1430690
This work is a followup to Don Surber's first book on Trump and the election of 2016. In Trump the Press, Surber revealed the arrogance of the media and its experts on everything political as they self immolated during the nominating process. That a book is of great historical importance in its insight and unmatched documentation.
 In this book he employs the same sharp pen and wit, again accompanied by the most meticulous documentation of the same characters in full failure mode, almost always described in their own words, while the author himself, a long time political reporter and editor, expertly chronicles  how Trump achieved his victory over an opponent thought too big to fail. Surber was one of only a handful of political observers who thought Trump would be victorious, even before he was nominated. Those readers only familiar with the usual political commentators in major media will be well rewarded by  Surber's often unorthodox and always rewarding views on the politics of this race and especially on Trump himself, all expressed in frank and unbiased prose leavened with gentle humor. There is no conventional thinking here, but always unexpected, even sometimes profound. Not just major players are on stage. In a wonderful passage, to me a highlight of the book, coal miners appear in their dark and dusty world, humbly asking for the common respect their eco enemies would deny them. The hidden springs of money flowing from corporate media and its establishment partners used to provide resistance to Trump are discussed and made evident as are many other twists and turns in the most amazing of elections. The book is fun to read and speeds along. I hope there are more to come
4705029
Great insight and such a refreshing perspective! I am encouraging all my conservative friends, who "can't stand Trump", to read this book!
2754043
One thing I've long said is that without fail, Mr. Yiannopoulous works a room far better than most of the entertainment industry. Dangerous is really no different. Much as he & I disagree as far as Donald Trump is concerned, I completely respect his right to express his opinion. That aside, he clearly isn't afraid to ask some tough questions... actually, no, they're not really toughthey just tend to make certain people uncomfortable. Guess what? No one has grown or broadened their views by surrounding themselves who are exactly like them.

The topics that I found most interesting namely related to Black Lives Matter, the conundrum that is Leslie Jones & the irony of UC Berkeley going from its roots in, 'I may not agree with what you're saying, but I'll fight like hell for your right to say it,' to well... the exact opposite.

Needless to say, Milo's (and most of my) opinions & questions surrounding BLM will not be popular with many. In any event, he raises questions that I've asked numerous times. As he readily admits, there's not an argument of racism's existenceit's when/how the term is applied that leaves a big question mark. How is it racist to question? Is this not how people learn? How is it racist to disagree with the behaviors exhibited by many BLM 'activists'? I promise, I don't own a white robe, im not gearing up for the next klan rally, but one thing I do frequently is ask questions.

History buffs & intellectuals tend to question because we want to learn. Simple as that. When someone says/does something to try to make 2 + 2 = 6, I'm going to wonder if you omitted some Information.

I can't tell you I agree with everything stated in, 'Dangerous,' but that was never my objective in reading it. If I am to be an informed citizennot a citizen of popular opinion, but one who reads often, retains information from multiple sources & then constructs their opinion, I'm going to need to read things beyond the latest 'think piece' from a magazine or publication that only publishes one point of view, right?

All in all, there are good points in this book. You may hate Mr. Yiannopoulous. He may drive you utterly mad. Yet if you have an open mind, there are plenty of topics that will make you think. For this reason alone, I found 'Dangerous' to be worthwhile, not to mention a book that can spawn some interesting discussions within a broad-minded group of people.
2288157
Brad and Amy Herzog's book, Dump Trump, is worth a read. Funny  and insightful in its observations, it is a book I shared with our 9 year old to help him understand our concerns about Trump..  Dump Trump is so well worded as to inspire my son to put it to rap rhythms and keeps all of us thinking.  If only all words of warning about Trump were so eloquent.  That this book was considered so provocative that some  very manipulative and vindictive people are  lashing  out at the Herzogs makes it all the more worth reading and sharing.
3159878
If she wasn't so forthright, conservative, intelligent, wise, honest, patriotic, etc. she'd make a great political leader. As a right wing, Bible believing, patriotic American (yes liberals - I'm your worst nightmare) who always tries to seek the truth and wisdom of a situation or issue independently and will defend the truth no matter what others say (and begs forgiveness when he slips) I've always wondered how so many liberal and democrat pundits seem to be so passionate in defending positions that are so ridiculous as to defy even simple reasoning (i.e. - abortion, WMDs, Obamacare, spending, Rove did it, it's Bush's fault, , it's the oil companies, it's the insurance companies, it's the rich, global warming, alternative energy, light bulbs, etc). After reading this book understanding the liberal mindset (or more appropriately mindlessset) kind of makes sense in a weird sort of way. They are just against anything that reasoning people are for(picture tea party folks - because I learned in this book you need an image to understand what I mean by "reasoning people") - it has nothing to do with facts or logic or truth. It is useless to argue facts with them - they don't care about facts or history or truth - they are like the spoiled child who wants his way, and will do whatever it takes to win - period!. The only chance of overcoming the groupthink (which actually involves no thinking at all) is to pray for them and to be prepared to give a logical defense of the truth should they pause, look back and decide not to follow the herd over the cliff/into the sea. Yes, satan does exist and exert demonic influence on men who are not equipped and prepared for his attacks aforehand) and this book shows how he is indeed the "prince of the air...waves". The biblical picture of "Legion" entering the herd of swine who then stampeded into the sea to drown themselves is a great picture of the liberal mentality and what it ultimately leads to (I think God knew that story could one day help save America when He wrote it). A very well thought out, logical explanation of the current American condition - it's a shame that most true liberals won't read this (it's very much like the Coulter? quote "If democrats were smart they would be republicans", not to say that republicans are perfect - just a lot closer to being so)in that "If liberals cared about facts or logic or truth they would read this book")...but God can still do miracles, the greatest of which have always been in the arena of changing of men (and women...again because a liberal might not recognize the generic sense of "men" being applicable to the human species in general and accuse me of being sexist...). Good job Ann Coulter! Never give up and keep on smiling! May God bless you as you defend truth! Ignore the liberals that will continue to bash you - just take it as a sign of encouragement (again, the image of a badge of honor) that you're doing a good job (like most thinking American's do!).
2798620
If you are intelligent and open-minded, you will understand and enjoy this book. Love it! Naturally the brainwashed Ann Coulter lovers will not understand nor like it. This book is a hoot!
2314767
Katy Tur reports on her five hundred plus days covering the Trump campaign, from its very beginning. Her book is being released on the same day as Hillary Clintons memoir of her loss, and for my money this is the better read. I much prefer learning about why Trump won than why Hillary didn't. To me it is the more interesting question of the two, and more historically significant as well.

When Trumps campaign began, Katy was an inexperienced political reporter but she soon proved more than equal to the task. She has the quick intelligence and sharp wit that served her well in dealing with Trump, who alternated between treating her with disdain and respect. Less respect than disdain, actually, kind of like his statement about Mexicans "and some of them, I'm sure, are good people". Trump was certain to notice her - an attractive young female reporter - and beginning with the very first campaign rally where he called her out by name, she became one of the most significant correspondents to cover Trump as the 2016 campaign progressed.

I've seen Katy Tur reporting on television throughout the campaign and since, and have been looking forward to her book. It is as much about her experiences and personal stories over this time period as it is about Trump and his followers. It is an effective and enjoyable story as she takes the reader back to the beginning of Trumps campaign, showing how the crowds were strong and enthusiastic from the very start. She was the first reporter assigned to cover Trump full time, was with the Trump campaign until election day, and she discusses not only the Trump that everyone saw on television but also provides enough insights from her behind the scenes experiences to give a more complete story of the man and the campaign.

Of course, some will (and have) criticize her for pointing out Trumps casual relationship with the truth. Her prominence in reporting on Trump was raised to a new level when she conducted a lengthy interview with him one-on-one early in the campaign. She angered Trump by being tougher than he expected, more assertive in her questions and rebuttals to him than he seems to have anticipated. How he reacted to her and treated her then and afterwards gives insight into Trump that is not surprising given everything that has been seen and heard over the past two years. It does reinforce the stories of Trumps behavior, his bullying and intimidation tactics with real examples that are documented and undeniable.

With respect to the support the Trump received from very early in his campaign, she makes it clear in her prologue to the book that she understands the frustrations that led to Trumps victory (and she gives many examples of them along the way). And yet, even more than other reporters covering Trump, the particular attention she received from him meant that she required security protections at many points as the campaign progressed and the level of vitriol increased.

I believe that this book will be one of the primary sources for those wanting to understand the 2016 election, an on-the-ground recounting of this reporters experience and observations. Others will offer more scholarly analyses of how the Trump and Clinton campaign strategies differed. This book focuses on the Trump campaign alone, Trump and his supporters and why they were so passionate about his candidacy. Earlier than just about any one else she predicted the strong possibility of Trumps win, after spending so many weeks and months attending his rallies and observing the enthusiasm of his crowds. The signs had been there from the beginning, they were simply too unexpected for most campaign watchers to fully comprehend.
3463504
I wrote a previous review about this book where I praised some things and castigated others, notably Trump's opposition to Israel.

I believe I was misunderstanding Trump. First and foremost, Donald Trump is a nationalist. It is very telling that he flew to Britain and praised Brexit, which itself was a stunning moment of nationalism. My eyes were therefore opened, and I considered viewing Trump through an admirable nationalist lens, and finally his policies become evident. We need nationalism, all of our nations around the world. Simply put, in Donald Trump I see a force for nationalism who will stand up to the Fed, to the world, to the political establishment, to the progressives, and everyone who quite frankly deserves to be pissed off and given the finger to.

I agree with Donald Trump. I agree with the simple, forceful, politically-incorrect things that come out of his mouth. I'm sick and tired of these smug globalists, so certain of their superiority with their Ivy League opinions, who care nothing at all for the history, culture, or spirit of nations, and to whom the entire world is just some game to toy around with the latest fad ideology. At his core, Donald Trump is a nationalist who is going to stand up to America's oppressors and do what he feels best in order to make our country great again.

And you know what, I believe in him. Sometimes a nationalistic revolution is necessary before a nation can return to an era of glory. At the end of the day, I think Trump's revolution can take us there.

And, honestly, I just can't wait to drink those liberal tears.
856155
This book has often been described as Machiavelli for the '90s and beyond.  One might even joke the cynical side of Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friend's and Influence People" - - A brilliant story teller, Chris Matthews has written a book that to this day if actually read transcends his controversial personality and is an indepth study of how people get ahead... its not just a book for politicians - - everyone should read it - - whether viewed as a study of greed, or a guide to how to get ahead in life, Matthews makes some brilliant observations - - learned from a wide variety of political personae on all sides of the ideological coin, and proving the one thing that every political ideologue in Washington has in common - - a modus of operendi relating to their success based on their ability to pull people's strings. - - In essence, Hardball is a study of just this - - the art of pulling people's strings by understanding what makes them tick, incuring favor, indebting them to you (often by having *them* do *you* favor !) and playing by certain rules.  - - People politics are key to the game of life in any field (whether or not you like the game.)
On his TV show, Chris Matthews comes across as a cranky anti-intellectual motor mouth - - one who can have 7 guests, and not a single one will get a word in likewise...  The myth of Chris Matthews is best characterized by SNL's Darell Hammond's routine where he's always cutting people off with that hillarious, "Yeah... yeah... yeah... yeah.. shut up !"
In fact, it was through SNL that I actually began tuning into Chris's show - - and I actually took a liking to him...  Rather than finding him to be "anti-intellectual", I found him "anti-rhetoric" - - On the surface it sounds like he's hostile, rude and won't let his guests get in a word likewise, but if you listen in closely, what he does is not allow his guests (who are ALL in the P.R. game some way or another) to lay on their carefully rehearsed soundbits...  He listens when they shoot straight, but all hell breaks lose when they start to launch into the same diatribe that they delivered on "Meet The Press" - -  when he questions them, rather than eliciting the rhetoric talk show hosts are expected to do, he often lays their own rhetoric on them  and cuts them off when they go for their carefully rehearsed speeches.  - - After reading this book, it seems clear that Chris Matthews isn't Darell Hammond's cranky old big mouth... the truth is, he knows the game and is having fun throwing side pitches - - in reality, few will fluster or break down and cry (most simply resort to doing little other than repeating themselves over an over), but I think being able to outmouth any powerhouse with a big ceeeeeeegar is somewhat of a fete in itself.
Incidentally, despite the rumors, its hillarious to find out that he was actuall Tip O'Neil's right hand man, and practically learned the game from the old Democratic sage of Capitol Hill ! ! !
Long after Chris's stint as a popular cable TV show talk show host is forgotten, this book will be mandatory reading at high schools, colleges and in the game of life (of course, played hardball style !)
1797045
I am one of CJ Werleman's many star-whores on Twitter. I love everything he says. So, it would come as no surprise that I loved this book. He's funny and smart and knows more about American politics than most Americans. And he's not even a natural-born American!

Any intelligent liberal with a sense of humor will enjoy Crucifying America. The people who should read this book, though, never will.

Aside from George Bush's surprise re-election, I had never given any thought to election rigging by Republicans. CJ Werleman describes a process known as redistricting, which redraws districts to give a party an unfair advantage, and how some areas were eliminating early voting and changing polling locations and hours to confuse voters and prevent them from casting a fair vote on election day.

He talks about Republicans rejecting essentially all of President Obama's efforts: the Affordable Health Act, the proposal to increase minimum wage, the idea that everyone should have access to college, etc...

He also describes how big corporations "want only a few things: elimination of government regulations; the destruction of unions, labor laws, social security, unemployment insurance, public education, Medicare, Obamacare and, of course, they want lower taxes."

Additionally, I highlighted so many great quotes from this book:

"If you're filing legal action to prevent others from declaring, 'Merry Christmas', then you most definitely are an *hole!"

"If the South were to secede, then we in the blue states would pay lower taxes because we would no longer have to support the poorest states in the country."

"Hostage taking, ultimatums, walkouts and tantrums are now the hallmark of the Tea Party and the Christian Right."

"Scientists base their belief in facts and evidence, whereas Republican lawmakers base theirs in special interest PR literature ('Why Global Warming is Bunk' by Exxon) and campaign contributions; while Christians base theirs in the earth "science" found in the Bible."

Anyone who favors logic and reasoning will appreciate Crucifying America. I will most certainly be reading more of his books in the near future.
3730269
This is a well-written book, most of which details JC's long and impressive career. The book homes in on Donald Trump on p. 211 of its 277 pages, but there is no doubt that the specter of Trump looms over the entire text. Consider the dedication to the Department of Justice and the FBI before the book even begins: their commitment to truth "keeps our country great."
As the book builds toward JC's interactions with Trump, vignettes from Comey's life foreshadow his analysis of Trump. Comey was bullied as a child and became a bully himself, so he knows about that. As assistant US Attorney in NY, he investigated and prosecuted the Mob, so he knew about that and was able to draw his now famous portrait of the Trump presidency as a political version of Mafia culture; the Martha Stewart case foreshadows a lying president.
I wasn't as put off by his description of Trump's physical features as others have been. I noticed that he painted mental pictures of many of the individuals who parade through his life and book. They're bald, short, have salt-and-pepper hair, etc. Comey mentions his uncommon height several times, even noting twice that his knees brushed up against the big desk in the Oval Office. What was a bit off-putting were the several references (four? five?) to the "fully-armored black Suburban" that JC rode in.
It was interesting to be reminded of law enforcement cases that Comey was intimately involved in before entering into the public gaze as director of the FBI: the Mafia investigations; the Martha Stewart case, the clandestine Stellar Wind intelligence gathering program; the John Ashcroft hospital drama; the Bush 2 torture program, etc.
As I read all this, the suspicion slowly grew on me that the book really wants to make two points. The more obvious one is to unmask the Trump presidency for what it is. The second is more subtle and is only revealed, literally, in the book's final words. In the Acknowledgments at the end, JC thanks various folk "for the joy and the journey, which isn't over yet." What could that mean? What it means is that JC has political aspirations and that his book is a kind of campaign biography. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he is running for higher office at some point.
Every reader will also come away from the book with some idea of James Comey the man. On the whole, he struck me as intelligent, hardworking, honest, and a dedicated patriot. There was also something else that struck a chord. His mother (who is never named; you have to look for her under "mother" in the index and not earlier under "C" where seven other Comeys are listed) kept in her dresser drawer for 50 years a note the young James wrote to her after some transgression. "I am sorry. I will be a great man someday." This is what his mother expected to hear. "Starting when I was a little boy, she told me how much was expected of me." What a burden to carry. More than a few times in his career, Comey regretted not saying or doing what he later thought he should have said or done. On these occasions he seemed emotionally hamstrung, afraid to take a step that might be a stumble on the way to an impossible goal. In other instances, he did act boldly, but perhaps not wisely, to validate his greatness. When some of Hillary Clinton's emails were found on Anthony Weiner's laptop, JC pondered what to do days before the 2016 presidential election. He writes that he had two choices, two doors, one marked "Speak," the other marked "Conceal." He had to be a man of action, he had to make a choice. As he mulled his choices, he missed seeing the third door, the one marked "Wait." Temporizing, stifling the urge to be great in a difficult historical moment, and honoring FBI custom in the run-up to the election might not be the hallmark of a great man of action, but it would have been the best choice and, in light of what was found on the laptop, ultimately the right choice.
There's a bit of the tragic figure in JC.