How Donald Trump Got Conservatives in His Back Pocket
Trump had this figured out long ago:
Donald Trump simply made a strategic political and marketing decision a few years ago that if he wanted to run for President, he’d simply have a better chance marketing to Republicans than to Democrats because Republicans are more likely to believe anything a candidate says where Democrats want someone who believes in fair public policy unconnected to billionaire entitlement.
Donald test-marketed and trial-ballooned his electoral approach with Birtherism a few years ago and it was a smash hit with right-wingers and Republicans, so Donald married the GOP strictly for political purposes, his fourth official marriage.
Trump’s ambivalence on gays, abortion and (previously) some form of gun control is the main reason why the GOP establishment hate him, and why he loses in uber conservative states and states that vote via caucuses where only the far right votes. His views on immigration and muslims also mirror what many ordinary Americans think about that subject, but just too afraid to speak out in public for fear of being labeled racists as the vocal minority of liberals love to hurl at anyone who doesn’t embrace open borders as they do.
While Trump appeals to a gathering who enjoys his unpredictability and unwillingness to conform to political nuance, it is this very characteristic that makes him so disagreeable to others (not to mention his vitriolic speech). He says whatever comes to mind, whether it’s an opinion about what qualifies a woman to be attractive (apparently large breasts are the key) or whether a whole cultural group should be assigned blame for violence.
Although these traits might seem “refreshing” to those who are tired of political antics, do they comprise a good leader? When comforting a nation fearful of and saddened by terrorism, when in the midst of diplomatic negotiations, when tackling controversial bills, is spontaneity really the best option? I think not.
What is a Donald Trump:
Trump is a centrist Democrat, who came to political prominence by appealing to the “poorly educated” (his words) by claiming President Obama was Kenyan born and therefore morally unfit to be president for all Americans. He’s hardly enlightened and his stand on LGBT issues won’t hurt with his non-ideological base, who has bought into his promising the moon, but don’t worry about the specifics simplicity of “making American great, again”
Trump doesn’t say anything out of conviction, he says it for gain. He is a strategy and numbers guy. He knows very well that his base is solidly in his corner unless he suddenly changes his mind regarding building the wall and Muslims, so whatever policy he embraces otherwise will not move them. Looking towards the GE, he is presenting himself as having socially liberal policies to pick off a slice of Sander’s voters, tickling their fancy with the promise of raising taxes on the wealthy. He wagers their disdain for Hillary will cause them to hold their nose and vote for him rather than stay at home. In muddying the waters and not having his foot firmly in either party, that also gives him an advantage with Independents.
Trump is a xenophobic cretin whose few consistent ideas are patently absurd and whose rhetoric is part calculated rabble-rousing, part impulsivity. The “he’s better than the others” line of thinking is gaining ground rapidly, as evinced by his ever growing base, particularly among centrist Republicans and far leftists. I think it’s potentially tragically mistaken.
As Mitt Romney said, Trump’s imagination must not be married to real power. Ted Cruz has a deep understanding of, and respect for, the Constitution. And I trust him as Commander in Chief long before I’d consider trusting someone like Donald Trump.
Mr. Taylor Has a Masters Degree in political science from Columbia University. Mr. Taylor is also an anti-abortion activist, political consultant and writer.
