Donald Trump is not a clown: Signs say he actually wants to win — and his books (edit for size)

New York Daily News ^ | Tuesday, August 4, 2015, 5:00 AM | Errol Louis

[Cringing Negativism Network]

I can’t count how many friends and strangers have stopped me on the street with a variation on the question: When is Donald Trump going to drop out of the race for President? I inevitably answer that I don’t have the slightest idea — and neither does anybody else — but we should assume that, like any candidate, he’ll try to remain in the race until the outcome becomes obvious.

When that might happen is anybody’s guess, although a fair number of pundits and journalists have already concluded, prematurely in my view, that the end of Trump’s political career is right around the corner. Some even suggest that the billionaire was never serious about pursuing the Republican nomination and has been toying with the electorate all along.

I’m not so sure about that. While political analysts keep confidently — and wrongly — predicting when Trump will fizzle, he keeps rising in the polls, marching from one successful campaign appearance to the next and arriving at this week’s televised debate as the front-runner among Republicans in the national polls.

(full article) http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/errol-louis-donald-trump-not-clown-article-1.2313355

[Cringing Negativism Network]

A very good article.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Full title:

Donald Trump is not a clown: Signs say he actually wants to win — and his books reveal real policy ideas

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/errol-louis-donald-trump-not-clown-article-1.2313355

[pepsi_junkie]

It may all have started as a publicity stunt, who knows? But I am sure that as long as he’s in first place, he’s not dropping out.

[null and void]

[9YearLurker]

What makes you think it started as a publicity stunt?

[Reno89519]

At some point there will be a ‘if you can’t beat them, join them moment’ for the political elite. Trump has the money, the timing, and the personality to force change. He’s already accomplished much in his short campaign. (In the back of my mind I still hope he doesn’t pull a Perot—either self-destruct or pick someone incredibly unsuitable for VP.)

[gr8eman]

I actually listened to what Trump said in the Arizona speech. He called out Hillary, Yeb, and Obamba and explained what he would do if elected President. Why doesn’t anyone want to listen?

[9YearLurker]

His updated book coming out on Thursday should be very interesting. I’m hoping it doesn’t have amnesty in it.

[Calpublican]

Does the Narcissist-in-Chief understand that much of the rise of the Trump phenom
Is a direct repudiation of him and his policies.
He may recognize the revolt against establishment GOP but may not make the leap.
Since he is suggesting he could win again, it appears not.

[ncpatriot]

It is too late for him to drop out. He has a huge following and the public would be so mad at him that his businesses would suffer. People will not forget for forgive him should he drop out AGAIN.

He is turning the world right again...ie up is up, down is down. He is returning common sense. And it will spread overseas. We need this. I hate the way the politicians and pundits/media talk. Not Trump - he is direct. About time.

[TennesseeProfessor]

I’m also trying to decide whether Trump is sincere.

I remember H. Ross Perot’s campaign. He was the top-ranked candidate in a three-way race also including Bush and Clinton. He then dropped out. In October he re-entered the race, leading a lot of Bush supporters to wonder whether his objective was winning the Presidency or helping Clinton to win the presidency.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

It may all have started as a publicity stunt, who knows? But I am sure that as long as he’s in first place, he’s not dropping out.

Article says Trump has two books out that both say he was serious about a presidential run. By the time he’s running for reelection, you may be convinced.

</sarcasm>

[pepsi_junkie]

I never said I thought it was a publicity stunt, although Trump teasing a run every four years then pulling back sort of implies he might have been in it for the headlines those times. I actually said "who knows" because nobody really does even though many in the media go ahead and say it's likely.

But regardless if it was all a PR stunt or not, he's winning and he's not going to walk away from an opportunity like that as long as he is. That's my point. If anyone thinks "oh he just wanted publicity", I don't think it's true now even if (IF!) it ever was.

[9YearLurker]

Fair enough.

I look at him as someone who went into the family business, but has demonstrated not only a keen interest in politics, but an interest in potentially entering the political arena himself for some time now.