An unsavory selection.

• Author: Bresler, Robert J.
• Position: STATE OF THE NATION - United States presidential election

BARRING SOME UNFORESEEN EVENT before this presidential election, the American voter will have to choose between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. This is a most unsavory choice. Admittedly experienced and intelligent, Clinton gives off an air of privilege, entitlement, and hypocrisy. In the face of State Department policy, she insisted on having her own e-mail server installed in her home. She blisters the Wall Street oligarchs, but takes their money for speeches and has them pony up for campaign contributions. She champions women's rights, while turning her back on the women her husband has exploited and brutalized. She claims that she wants to do so much for students, while charging their colleges exorbitant fees just for showing up and giving a talk.

Whatever she may be in private with her friends, she gives off little charm in public, laughs nervously, and shamelessly changes positions on major issues. As Secretary of State, she took pride in negotiating the Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). When Sen. Bernie Sanders (D.-Vt.) gained traction in opposing TPP in his bid for the nomination, she suddenly found fault in the very agreement for which she once had taken credit.

The best she can hope for from the American public is some kind of begrudging respect for her toughness and persistence. Few will extend her affection or high regard for her character--even should she win the next election.

Clinton may be distasteful, but Trump is disturbing. He is a political phenomenon with all the characteristics of a demagogue: the capacity to articulate the unarticulated grievances of a disaffected population. In the course of what many hoped would be a quixotic campaign, he has discovered a voice that is neither conservative nor liberal. He can be described as an American nationalist--but what kind of nationalist?

Unlike Pres. Ronald Reagan, who championed American exceptionalism as a beacon to the world, Trump feels the U.S. is too good for the world, a sucker whose friends and enemies take full advantage of our wealth and willingness to sacrifice and protect other nations. After more than 70 years of American leadership, Trump feels the rest of the world owes us something. If they do not give it, they will pay a price; if they do not accept our trading demands, they will see high tariffs; if they do not spend more on their own defense, we will leave them to their own devices (even it means they build their own nuclear arsenal); and if the...