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Some Perspective On Trump’s Surge

Donald Trump is Howard Beale with groomed hair, clean clothes and his own Boeing 757.

By Art Gallagher

Donald Trump has the media and political elite on both sides of the aisle in a tissy because he is leading the GOP field for the 2016 presidential nomination after committing two “unforgivable” sins against the politically correct commandments—his disparaging remarks about Mexican illegal immigrants and about Senator John McCain’s heroism.

Trump has already made a contribution to our PC culture as it is now safe to say “illegal immigrant” instead of “undocumented worker,” at least for the time being.

Trump is succeeding in large measure because he has given voice to those who are fed up with the elite PC thought and speech police.  He is expressing the frustration of many who are fed up with mealy mouth “leaders” who use a lot of words not to say anything and put the American people to sleep while fleecing them.  Many who don’t agree with “The Donald” are enjoying the show and are particularly enjoying watching the elites squirm as they try to discredit him…and Republicans in general..in order to retain their cultural and economic power.

Trump’s popularity is surging because he is shouting that the emperors have no clothes and doing so in the manner of the fictional Howard Beale.

Donald Trump is Howard Beale with groomed hair, clean clothes and his own Boeing 757.

Trump is succeeding in large measure because not enough has changed for the better in America in the six months since Republicans have taken control of both houses of congress.  He is succeeding because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner are attempting to govern rather than expressing the outrage that swept them into power.

As is their custom, the liberal elites are attempting to spin current events as an indictment on all Republicans.  Trump is surging because Republicans are racist, angry, white and uneducated, if you believe the spin coming out of the White House, Harvard, The Washington Post and Red Bank.

That is nonsense, of course.  Just like the Republican “War of Women” in the last two federal elections was nonsense.

Trump is leading the field of Republican presidential candidates with 18%-20% of the vote, according to recent polls.  That means that 80%-82% of Republicans prefer someone else become the next president.  His surge and success in the crowded field is hardly a derogatory reflection on Republicans.

If Donald Trump really wants to be President, I think he will be. That would not be the end of the Republic.  If Donald Trump was as reckless as his rhetoric buildings would be falling down all over New York.  President Trump’s policies would not be a reckless as his rhetoric.

But I don’t think he wants to be President.  He is already saying in interviews that he doesn’t want to be President because he loves the company he built and he loves doing the work he does.  I think Trump wants to ensure the presidential campaign is about “Making America Great Again.”  He is moving the national conversation in that direction and creating a perception that America can be great again.

Sometime before the Iowa Caucuses, I think, Trump will endorse either Scott Walker or Chris Christie, declaring that he doesn’t have to be the one to make American great again, because either Walker or Christie can do it, with his help, while he goes back to erecting buildings and making reality TV shows.  And then he will take credit for the success of the next President of the United States.

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Posted: July 28th, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: 2016 Presidential Politics, Donald Trump | Tags: , , , , | 4 Comments »

4 Comments on “Some Perspective On Trump’s Surge”

  1. James Hogan said at 7:34 am on July 29th, 2015:

    There is absolutely an important role in the political process for the rabble-rouser with no real political ambition, and nothing to lose. As a former rabble-rouser myself, I’m glad to see Trump forcing conversations and public debate on issues that both Democrats and Republicans have been dishonestly talking about or flat out ignoring.

    For me, it’s not important if someone agrees or disagrees with Trump or any other candidate, it’s important that the candidates communicate some honest, consistent message with the public and help or sway the public to feel willing and able to talk about issues like illegal immigration, the overuse/misuse of the word “hero”, trade imbalances with Mexico and China, and the Second Amendment.

    Thanks to Trump being willing to take a stand and give voice to these real issues, people are feeling willing and able to talk about the types of issues, that really do impact Americans directly, around the water coolers of Workplace, USA. Win, lose or withdraw, Trump has so far been the only candidate, or rabble-rouser, on either side to get the majority of the public interested and talking.

  2. Gene Louis said at 12:09 pm on July 29th, 2015:

    @Jim

    Just think about it, Jim. Trump has conditioned the public to accept straight talk. This will make it easier on you when you run for Congress again.

  3. Bob English said at 1:23 pm on July 29th, 2015:

    Interesting to note how much of the nonsense Trump is spewing is not even true. Does not seem to bother his supporters though.

    http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/statements/

  4. Kathy Baratta said at 8:39 pm on July 29th, 2015:

    Art,

    Howard Beale was a man descending into madness. We, the audience, were not supposed to be inspired by his ravings but incensed by the forces that drove him mad. Ned Beatty’s character is the one that most embodied Trump’s whole persona – a corporate cannibal glutted from the exploitation of the masses; a self-serving sociopath without a hint of morality or even humanity. I get a feeling this point completely eludes you and the others who see Trump’s ravings as evidence of his being beholden to none; a political messiah, if you will.

    Nothing could be further from the truth. This is all about Trump and his ego and absolutely nothing more. For now, the Trumping down of politics is a fun diversion (most people enjoy a free-for-all romp) for an election we shouldn’t even be talking about now seeing as it’s about a year-and-a-half away. The Trumping-down serves as a way for news people (talk about using a term loosely) to fill air time without having to do any actual news reporting.

    The truth is Trump is a self-serving egomaniac who is having the time of his life. I’m willing to admit it is kind of enjoyable to watch this puppeteer make the media marionettes dance on the stage he has erected. But to say this talking Creamsicle should be taken seriously or to imply he’s presidential timber is stretching credulity to the breaking point.