In figure skating's long programs there are two major scoring criteria -- "technical merit" or degree of difficulty of the tricks and "presentation" or style -- the costume, correct back arch, graceful arm movements, skater's synchronization to the music, etc.
Judging President Trump's performance this way gives him high marks on technical merit -- tax reform, deregulation, economic growth, defeating ISIS, employment growth, reforming and restoring international alliances, pushing back on our enemies, immigration law enforcement, restoring a conservative tone to our judicial system, starting to rationalize our healthcare insurance system, etc. But it is on the style front where he receives the most demerits. In fact, many of his critics would prefer to judge him solely on style ... and do. He is petulant, He is self aggrandizing. He demeans his enemies ruthlessly. He is a sexual predator. He is impulsive.
Trump's governance is in stark contrast with his predecessor's ... which was primarily style with few heavy lifts ... most of which, when attempted at all (immigration policies, Obamacare, Iran nuclear deal, restoring robust economic growth, North Korea containment, Paris climate accord, improved race relations, TPP, etc.), were mismashed ... not even a single Salchow. It was Obama's smooth style that won him his fans.
Or to use the Texas slight (and muddle this metaphor), he was all hat and no cattle. Style-less Trump is, in my opinion, all cattle and no hat. If I can't have both, I'll take technical merit over style.
