When leaders focus on what they want to talk about instead of what people need to hear, they slide quickly from governing into something that sounds a lot like denial. And voters don’t forgive denial.

The House of Windsor just gave the world a case study. Every extra year, month, minute Prince Andrew retained even a trace of title or privilege—and every cent that could be traced to the public purse—the institution paid compounding interest on reputational damage.

Here’s the truth: selling a compromise is one of the hardest acts in politics. In my latest column, I explore why the best strategy for a government in this position isn’t pure damage control, it’s offence.

Trump has now deployed California National Guard troops to Oregon, defying a federal court order, and ignoring the objections of both governors.