Crazy Train or Pennsylvania Avenue? Will Donald Trump go “off the rails” or into the White House?
Because I live in Iowa and work in politics I’m very fortunate to be able to meet most of the presidential candidates with relative ease. Over the past year I’ve attended small and large events held by Republican and Democratic candidates. And, I’m here to tell you, there is nothing like a Donald Trump event. I’ve attended two of his Iowa events in the past three weeks. Usually one knows what to expect at a basic campaign function; fairly safe music, signs, buttons, questions, statements, photographers, flags, cheers and great people watching. At Donald Trump events you will be entertained and you can expect the unexpected. You get the basics then something more.
Mr. Trump draws huge crowds. He said his crowds are bigger than Bernie Sanders’ crowds. The crowd yesterday at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on the west end of Davenport was in “the thousands”. The venue was packed and Mr. Trump was running late. The loud speakers played songs like Ozzie Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”, the Beatles and Stones in addition to Adele. There is an air of entertainment, expectation and showmanship. I was almost expecting some James Bond style entrance to Adele’s “Skyfall”.
Mr. Trump’s remarks are a chain of provocative, stream of consciousness statements and you have to listen carefully because you never know what he will say next. At this event he insulted, in no particular order, President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Hillary’s pantsuits, John Kerry, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, John Kasich and Rick Perry. He used words like stupid, dumb and incompetent (although he said incompetent is no longer strong enough) to describe our national leaders. And he insulted the media, repeatedly. He pointed at them on the back risers, hurled insults and the crowd loved it. He insulted political pollsters and those who pay political pollsters.
He says really nasty things. He said “shit” and “frickin” in his remarks. Then he turns and blows kisses to the audience and tells them that “I love you.” In fact, he said his events are “filled with love.” He talks about the depth of the conviction of his supporters. When he goes through the rope line and you meet him face to face he oozes with charm. Perhaps he would (and he did) call it “class.” He said something about attending an Ivy League school and being able to outclass other world leaders.
People need to know that Mr. Trump wants to win and he believes that he can win. He admits that maybe he wasn’t so into it at first, but now it’s on. He believes that he can make America great again. He promises that we will start “winning” and “it’s going to feel good.” He promises to take better care of our veterans and fully equip the military.
Forgive me this is generalization but the crowd was mostly older (over 50), mostly white and male. From the tone of their responses it is clear they are angry. They want their gun rights (to be able to protect themselves) and they want a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and they want it now. They chanted “Build the Wall” and Mr. Trump promised he would build the biggest, best and most beautiful wall. He bragged about his building experience.
Do not underestimate Donald Trump any longer. His message connects with voters at a very deep, arguably dangerous, level. He is willing to say what they are thinking. He is personally charming and charismatic. His campaign staff are political pros who are organized, effective and focused on getting Iowans to caucus for Donald Trump. He doesn’t have to worry about fundraising. He gets media coverage with very little effort.
The “Summer of Trump” and the “Fall of Trump” have come and gone. Someone draws a line and he crosses it, with vigor. He goes way out on a limb and it doesn’t break! He keeps climbing higher. Where is this going to go from here? Will it be as Ozzy Osbourne sings “off the rails of this crazy train” or into the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue? We can’t stop watching.