[goldstategop]

It goes to the heart of most people’s desires: we want to be popular/loved/admired and we’re willing to do almost anything to get it.

Trump did the opposite. He made his unpopularity an asset and a source of strength. He projected confidence and bravado in the face of overwhelming odds. Most people wouldn’t or couldn’t do it.

He won by making the election a referendum on his opponent rather than him. If you can diminish your enemy and raise yourself, you will win. The advice isn’t from Trump; its from Machiavelli.

The man who plays politics better than the rest and uses the passions of human nature to dominate others, is a winner. Its a script as old as time. Studying it can lead us to learn how Trump succeeded where others had failed.

[dr_lew]

If you can diminish your enemy and raise yourself, you will win.

I am my own subject of study when it comes to the question, "Why did Trump appeal to me?"

As far as I perceive an answer, it is that he "stepped up" and"spoke out" when others were unwilling or unable to do so. He was daring! Fearless, even! When everyone else was ruled by calculation. That is the Calculus of Fortune.

[hinckley buzzard]

The commentariat routinely misunderstand Trump. They think he is a narcissist because of his bombastic campaign persona. He is not. He has solid self esteem, which is a healthy thing, and which makes him immune to the threat of rejection. People with healthy self esteem know that "rejection" is just bullshit.