AUTHOR: Can't answer question

Tuesday’s front-page article in the Coeur d’Alene Press by Uyless Black caught my attention, having read The Atlantic June 2016 in-depth analysis of the Trump personality by McAdams.

Mr. Black’s stated goal is to determine “…can a person exhibit narcissism that is so excessive it disqualifies the individual from carrying out the duties of the presidency? That is the question the three articles in this series address.”

Mr. Black’s article mirrors exactly the same list of “grandiose” narcissistic U.S. presidents that the The Atlantic lists, with the exception that Mr. Black lists 10 presidents while The Atlantic lists 7.

The Atlantic article makes many observations that would imply how impossible it will be for Mr. Black to achieve his above quoted goal. Per McAdams, Trump seems to be most like the No. 3 on the list — Andrew Jackson. To list one similarity, Washington insiders considered Jackson’s election a disaster. Where will Mr. Black rank Trump when compared to Jackson — more or less narcissistic? If more narcissistic, then by what criteria and how much more? Trump insulted people, where Jackson survived 14 duels. Which style is more narcissistic?

The Atlantic article points out — “Narcissism in Presidents is a double-edged sword.” It is associated with historians’ rating of “greatness” but also with impeachment resolutions.

Without Trump having served as president it will be impossible to decide if he is disqualified to be president based on an observed personality trait. Besides, who will have so much wisdom as to be able to preemptively decide if a candidate now shows excessive narcissism to the degree that he must drop out of the race. Fortunately, the voter still makes the ultimate decision on qualifications.

RICHARD SHELDON

Coeur d’Alene