The reason this double scandal (spousal abuse, security clearance) is such a big deal is that it highlights the incompetence of the principal in the Oval Office, the need for the WH staff to protect him (you can’t highlight abuse to Trump as a problem any more than you can highlight Russia probe stories), the lack of ability of those serving, and the inability to attract truly competent people.

You may not be able to beat Trump on policy, as much as you think ours is better (on whatever topic). But Trump’s personal characteristics are repelling independents and driving the resistance, especially among women. This scandal has been the top story for a week, and is not going away any time soon.

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1/ Again, a normal White House with a real General Counsel and COS would have pulled the trigger on Porter after the FIRST FBI report came back.

— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 13, 2018

Michael Gerson/WaPo:

Among the more revealing moments in the ongoing White House nervous breakdown came in Chief of Staff John F. Kelly’s initial defense of staff secretary Rob Porter. As accusations of domestic abuse against Porter became public, Kelly pronounced him a man of “true integrity and honor.”

I have never been in the military and have great respect for Kelly’s distinguished service. But I suspect that, for most people in uniform, this is not what they mean by “honor.”

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Republicans are growing increasingly concerned at President Donald Trump’s inability to quiet the Rob Porter abuse scandal https://t.co/dA4YFM6vx7 pic.twitter.com/G2dnvRg5hu

— CNN (@CNN) February 14, 2018