Foulest card in his in the spotlight
Does Trump not understand that the so-called Islamic State is desperate to present the West as intent on waging war on all Muslims? Can he not see how he – a potential “leader of the free world” – is making its propaganda effort so much easier?
cials now have the task of deciding whether or not someone was a true follower of the Islamic creed and thus ineligible for entry into the United States?
It is extraordinary – some would say tragic – that this controversy has broken out in a country which was founded in large part by people fleeing religious persecution. Welsh Quakers fled to Pennsylvania and their communities founded leading colleges such as Bryn Mawr and Haverford.
Does he have the same attitude to voters that a snake oil salesman has to customers? Is he prepared to promise the impossible because he doubts that he will be tested by the responsibilities of office?
Does he feel no sense of responsibility to the millions of Americans who are Muslim? Has he no fear that his remarks will spur unprovoked attacks, feed prejudice, encourage isolation and potentially increase the danger of radicalisation?
Does he not understand that the so-called Islamic State is desperate to present the West as intent on waging war on all Muslims? Can he not see how he – a potential “leader of the free world” – is making its propaganda effort so much easier?
If he does recognise these facts and yet has pressed ahead with his announcement for the sake of some airtime he is either (a) serious in his intention to introduce a policy that would represent a roll-back of freedom of religion in the Western world or (b) one of the most shameless hucksters to enter the electoral arena in recent decades.
His comments may also help him snatch handfuls of voters away from rival Ben Carson, an acclaimed neuro-surgeon famed for separating conjoined twins, who has said he “would not advocate” a Muslim becoming president.
Traditional Republicans face a dilemma when dealing with Mr Trump. They may fear the party of Lincoln and Reagan is turning into a freak show, but he is scratching where a sizeable chunk of their base itches.
A CNN poll last month had him on 36%, ahead of Mr Cruz (16%), Mr Carson (14%) and Mr Rubio (12%).
Even if the party does reject him, there is the chance he could run as a third-party candidate.
This will trigger memories of the 1992 election in which George Bush Sr lost to Bill Clinton in a race in which billionaire Ross Perot took 19.9% of the vote. In 1968 George Wallace ran on a pro-segregation ticket and won a 13.5% share.
Equality cannot be taken for granted even in the land of the free.