The conservative magazine, National Review, has caused quite a kerfuffle with it's latest issue, "Against Trump," which, as the title suggests, is a scathing rebuke of Donald Trump. The piece is a collection of arguments (essays) written by leading conservative thinkers. In short, the piece strives to make the case why Trump is not a conservative, doesn't deserve support from conservatives, doesn't represent conservatives, and will not uphold conservative ideals or champion such policies. The writers, all smart people, actually make a compelling case against Trump. Which is not a difficult task because Trump's conservative credentials are indeed fraudulent. He's been pro-choice and pro life. He's taken positions that would weaken the right to own certain guns and to strengthen those rights. He has championed universal healthcare and demonized it. In 1999 he switched his party affiliation from Republican to Independent Party, then to Democrat in 2001, and back to Republican in 2009. He's jumped around more than a Mexican jumping bean.
But National Review and other conservatives/republicans that oppose Trump are fighting an uphill battle because the are apparently unaware of the unspoken pact between Trump and a significant portion of the base. This pact was not actually negotiated, but its terms are clearly understood by both parties (Trump and the defectors). There's nothing complicated about it. Trump rejects any trace of traditional presidential politics in his quest to 'make America great again', and his supporters, desperate for a candidate that appears willing to do whatever it takes to save this country, commit to Trump. This arrangement is working quite well. Trump actually has a shot at the nomination, and his supporters are sensing that real change may be in the making. And this is the reason why no manner of dire warnings or predictions of political destruction will bring Trump supporters back to the farm.
You might say Donald Trump is a very luck guy. If times were different, even just eight years ago, Donald Trump would have been relegated to novelty act status and eventually dropped out. But these are uncertain times, and Trump has more than luck going for him. He has keen instincts and lot of guts, or to put it in business terms, he's not risk adverse. That's what's plaguing most of the other candidates. They're all smart and patriotic, but voters want the big issues tackled and wonder if they're willing to ruffle feathers, step on toes and prick social niceties to get America back on track? Or will they play the game of politics to win popularity polls? Trump's supporters have asked and answered these questions.
Critics that believe Trump's supporters can be persuaded to abandon him once they understand the big picture, need to accept the fact that his supporters believe they know all they need to know about Trump. They know full well that he's not a conservative (which is why his lack of conservative credentials don't matter). By now, everyone knows that Trump didn't become a republican (again) until he was in his 60s. They've read about the flip-flops, heard the insults and listened to the experts delineate his weaknesses. But these voters don't care about track records, or political correctness or what makes a conventional politician strong.
Growing numbers of disaffected voters truly see Trump as their best hope for a better future. Their faith in him is so strong that they're willing to accept certain things from Trump, whereas any other candidate would be run out of town. Case in point, most of these voters detest Washington's culture of backroom deal-making. Yet Trump often uses the "I'm a businessman" defense to deflect questions about his coziness with the Clintons and donations to democrats (and republicans). Recently, he accused Sen. Ted Cruz, a conservative, of being "such a nasty guy that nobody in Congress likes him." He added, "You can't make deals with people like that." Trump is the only republican candidate that can boast about wheeling and dealing and even suggest it's a strength he'll use in Washington.
I'm not a Trump supporter, but I'll become one if he wins the nomination. For me, it'll be a simple calculation--consider the alternative. Should he win the nomination, he'll have to move beyond broad brush campaigning and give us specifics. And when the critics begin to attack his policies for being unrealistic, unattainable and un-American, his loyal supporters will hold steadfast to the belief that he is indeed the right man for the job.
No disagreement here; I think there are large blocks of both Republican and Democrat voters who are fed up with typical politicians who will tell the voters what they want to hear while campaigning and then play it safe to protect their careers or pander to special interests once elected. I'm pulling for Cruz but should Trump prevail he'll get my vote in November. There is just no way would that I would ever vote for Hillary. It's hard to say what Trump's policies would be once elected but we already know what we'd be getting with Hillary.
ReplyDeletep.s. it's been a real treat to hear you on AM-560 this week. I used to be a regular listener when you were on WLS and always appreciated your down to earth perspective. In my mind you're the original 'compassionate conservative'.
Hello Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks so much for being a loyal listener...I couldn't have done it without you. As for your comments, I couldn't have said it any better myself. Maybe you can help me out, because I just don't understand why supporters of both Cruz and Trump think that sitting out the election if their guy doesn't win serves any good purpose.