Very perceptive comment. My only edit would be that it’s still primary season. One thing that we like about Trump is that he’s a no-holds-barred fighter. After seeing McCain genuflect to Obama (”he’s a good man”), and Romney cow in fear, we’re liking Trump’s pugnacious attitude. Maybe that’s turning off the supporters of other candidates a bit much, so yes, hopefully, once the nomination is secure, he’ll set about the task of mending fences. I gotta think however that the Republican base will be highly motivated to come out and vote against Hillary no matter what Trump does. Four to eight years of that is just unthinkable.
You’re right. I think Trump really caught fire when he came out with his “Wall” theory and got the commentariat crazy. Then instead of backing down he punched right back. This was a breath of fresh air for all of us who are sick of conservatives apologizing for their positions. Then the attacks in San Bernardino happened and he caught a wave of interest then too.
So that’s when he really surged in my mind at least, facts might prove otherwise.
But recently he is punching wildly and he needs to stop and act more mature. The Megyn Kelly thing is an absolute embarassment to me and others. His new thing about a PAC-ad on his wife is over-the-top too. Maybe it is to distract from the Utah result or something like that? I don’t know.
Several of his speeches and debate performances after Rubio went low were appalling as well. The reference to his “down there” in the debate was unwelcome. The people it appealed to were already pro-Trump. Convince those on the fence that you can be trusted and you have the right positions and the right demeanor.
This act means a bunch of R voters in the burbs who want to vote for someone respectable as President are becoming nevertrumpers. And this especially shows in the current, massive gender gap. To win nationally, an R candidate needs the suburban moms (and many other constituencies). Wild vulgar rants and bullying aren’t helping here.
I support Cruz, but if I were advising Trump I’d try to get him to dial it back and be aggressive on issues that matter and stop the attacks on people and issues that don’t.