#1: Donald Trump is a 21st Century political phenomenon. Why is that so?
I reject the implied premise of your question, that a person running for President needs to be "credentialed." This was not the intent of the Founders.
#2: If you like Donald Trump, or dislike him, why? (Please be specific.)
I dislike him because I believe he would be an arrogant blowhard who would abuse Executive Authority; In other words, AN EXACT replica of the man he would replace.
People who like him, like him because he has articulated their frustrations on some important issues, and refuses to back down.
#3: Forgetting about demeanor and delivery, what Conservative positions/platforms does Mr. Trump have that you like the most.
Apparently, he believes that America should be a country in more than just the name.
That's appealing. He also claims to be pro-life, but I haven't heard what, if any, exceptions he would be willing to permit, or how he would go about changing the status quo. He hints that he supports economic nationalism. Is that a conservative position? To my relatives and some on this forum, it is.
4: Forgetting about demeanor and delivery, what positions does Mr. Trump have that you like the least?
His silence on a number of issues bothers me more than his positions. Saying you will turn the military loose to do what they do best isn't a position. The military takes orders, what orders -- for example -- does Trump plan to issue to walk the tightrope of combating ISIS without aiding Iran?
5: There are other strong Conservatives in the race for the nomination, for example Senator Cruz and Governor Huckabee.
Huckabee is not a conservative.
Which Trump position or positions are more Conservative than the Senator or Governor? (Again, please stay away from the demeanor or style of delivery, but rather stick to specific policies.)
Huckabee is not a conservative.
I'm leaning Cruz, and I would say Cruz is more conservative on every issue, and can actually articulate why. But Cruz has to be elected to be meaningful. Can he be?
6: Mt Trump espoused some strong Conservative positions in the debate. Which was most important to you?
American sovereignty generally, and immigration in particular. I'm not sure he has really made a good argument for paleo-conservative economics, and I'm not sure he even believes in them. Saying you will "get tough" with China over trade is an attitude. But it is not a position.
Mr. Trump has espoused some very liberal policies in the past, especially one that are objectionable to Conservatives. Which of those bothers you the most?
I accept Rubio's premise that an election is always about the future, and not about the past. Therefore, I don't care what Trump believed in the past, except to the extent that I can use it gauge whether his currently stated stance is trustworthy or not.
At this point, frankly, that is my biggest issue beside his clearly enormous ego: is Trump trustworthy? I simply don't know.
7: Mr. Trump has espoused some very liberal policies in the past, especially one that are objectionable to Conservatives. How sure are you that he is simply not engaging in the political trick of telling the audience what he thinks they want to hear, and why are you sure/unsure about that?
I'll answer your question just as soon as you tell me how that would make him any different from any of the other Republicans that I've voted for since Reagan.
8: Like many politicians, when pressed, Mr. Trump seemed to have few specifics about his accusations or plans. Does that bother you and why?
Yes.
And the answer to "why" is: "Duh?!"
9: Mr. Trump has touched a nerve in Americans who feel disenfranchised. If elected, how would he turn that into actual improvement for all Americans, as opposed to simply more angry Americans.
The country is divided sharply between the looters and the producers right now. Frankly, I don't care if the tables are turned, because the looters should feel disenfranchised. They have no business being allowed to ransack the treasury for their own benefit. The alternative to making them angry is making them comfortable, and honestly, we've done too much of that already.
10: In his books, Mr. Trump says he favors saying and doing anything to get an advantage in a business deal. Would that work for him as President?
No.
But I reject the premise of the question that Trump -- or anyone else -- would approach a new job, especially a job as unique as the American Presidency, the same way he would his old job(s). It's a silly question, frankly.
11: In what some have called vicious personally attacks, Mr. Trump has gone after people who do not agree with him. If President, would that work in DC, or are they simply Sol Alinsky tactics, and if so, would they would work as President, and how?
This is a loaded question, and it's stupid.
Vicious is subjective, and "personal," like "racism" is something people throw out there to put an end to being bombarded by criticism.
We need someone who can articulate a conservative position and stick it to the opposition. The "new tone" crap got us ineffective leadership. Have Sol Alinksy tactics used by a President been effective? Look around at the wreckage that is the USA. They seemed to have accomplished 0's objectives.
12: A 3d party candidate would split the Right vote and hand the election to the Democrats. Should Trump run as a 3d Party candidate if he does not get the Republican nomination?
NO.
13: Did your opinion of Trump increase or decrease as a result of the debate?
It decreased. But not for the reasons given by some. I wanted Trump to be longer on specifics and actual plans. He wasn't. He was just The Donald.
14: Could you please list the leading candidates, ranking them from most Conservative to most Liberal?
15: Assuming Mt. Trump gets the Republican nomination, how would you advise him to attack Hillary Clinton in the general election.
On her record, which is abysmal.
On her corruption, which is manifest.
On her policies, which will just be anther four years of 0bama, run by the same apparat.
Thank you both for your well thought-out replies. They are so much more important to the American national political debate than some of the other rants here.
Again, thank you.