The New York Times called President Trump’s speech “a soothing comfort food.” For those of us who’ve had it with the Trump administration’s circus, it was palatable bread enough.

I’ll admit I was impressed. Trump’s diction was eloquent; he barely strayed from the polished pitch he’d rehearsed. (Of course, he found it impossible not to sneak in a second “great” before “wall,” and make an unfunny joke about motorcycles.) He did sound presidential. His message, too, seemed uncharacteristically warm and inclusive.

He began with a respectful nod to Black History Month, and spoke of “the work that still remains to be done” on civil rights. He then denounced the hate crimes that have made the news recently: the racially motivated shooting of two Indian men in Kansas, and the present rash of threats and vandalism targeting Jews. He skillfully waved away the cloud of anti-Semitism accusations that has followed him since the campaign. (Truth be told, as an ethnic Jew with no love for Trump, I’ve always found the concern overblown.)

Other highlights: heartstring-pulling guests in the audience; premature self-congratulation; some guilt-trip appeals to bipartisan cooperation; and a new, almost manic confidence in his grand plan — a faith that “every problem can be solved.”

So what’s new? Nothing, substance-wise. There was fear-mongering along all the familiar lines. We heard the “radical Islamic terror” motif again — this time with added emphasis, as if to tell the new national security advisor who’s boss. (H.R. McMaster has reportedly called the phrase counterproductive.)

The “Morning in America”-like optimism was a real change in style, though. And I found it as scary as anything. It’s the grandiose talk of a Supreme Leader looking ahead to a Five-Year Plan; it’s “Yes We Can” untethered from reality; it’s Trump’s egomania showing through bigly, regardless of how many times he said “we.” But I guess it must be what the base wants to hear.

Trump’s speech had a morsel for most of us — blacks, Jews, women, infrastructure boosters, anti-interventionists — but we can’t let ourselves eat it up uncritically. The facts haven’t changed: this president has dangerous plans, he’s got Congress under his thumb, and he’s not about to back down or sober up.

Trump sent out a rhetorical plea: “Why not join forces and finally get the job done,” he asked. “True love for our people requires us to find common ground.” What he really means is that his critics should stand down; he’ll paint as un-American anyone who gets in his way. That’s nothing new, either.

Republicans stonewalled Barack Obama for eight years. Now it’s the Left’s turn, and I’m not about to be pacified by sweet nothings.

By Ben Riggleman