Explaining the draw of Donald Trump
POINT OF VIEW | NEW IDEAS AND A BUSINESS MIND
GLEANINGS
The Trump phenomenon continues its expansion throughout the electorate. Clearly, the populist rhetoric is striking a tone with voters and is the very reason for his success. Let me explain why.
“The Donald” is seen by the party elitists as uncontrollable — and therefore impossible to endorse or support. What the party has not gauged correctly is the overall disgust with robotic answers and guarded statements prepared by the party and espoused by its typically boring candidates.
Crime in our cities has become untenable. Our jobs are illusive. Our roads have deteriorated. Our educational system is not competitive. Our influence around the world is diminished, our manufacturing relocated, our retirement programs unfunded, our health care unaffordable, our defense strategy disorganized, our moral integrity eroded.
Why should we be worried about Trump? We have already had our hair cut. The only people who need to be scared are the ones who bring no value to the table. If a businessman gets elected, accountability is back in Washington. Is it so hard to believe we have chosen a maverick?
The public is tired of the same, old political talk without substantive action. Trump is spontaneous, outrageous, tough, strong-minded, raw and politically incorrect. Most of all, we perceive him as honest about what he wants to accomplish.
He has a vision of a long-lost, great America. If the public feels he can get the job done, we don’t have to like everything about him. Honest mistakes will be tolerated over dishonest backroom deals.
Is he contradictory in places? Yes. Is he always loyal to a political party? No. Is he somewhat overconfident or arrogant? Probably. Regardless, whether you like his bravado or not, the one thing he has over everyone else is originality.
This is where the public sentiment splits from the journalists, politicians and party loyalists. The voters are disgusted with the status quo and are willing to try a new — even somewhat flawed — product. Maybe his most enduring feature is the fact that he is not owned or controlled by the same lobbying machine that got us into — and keeps us in — this downward economic and political spiral.
That’s right, we want someone totally different.
We believe a newcomer, not a veteran, is what we need. That is how change happens — by changing the status quo.
The fact that Trump appeals to some of the Democratic base means he is electable, not that he is a betrayer. Maybe the conservative base of the Republican Party needs to realize that we can still offer flexibility on issues rather than trying to destroy anyone who disagrees with its limited platform.
Being too far right will never win the general election with our present civilian demography. When one party offers an onslaught of benefits while the other offers castor oil, which do you think will win an election?
Trump is a product of the disenfranchised who feel betrayed by Washington. He offers new ideas and a business mind to counter ongoing, stalemated problems that are argued endlessly by professional politicians. He is someone who can offer bipartisan leadership and broker a general consensus for action.
Is it risky? Maybe. Is it rebellious? Yes. Is it American? Without a doubt.