MrR were discussing this tonight. Trump has several things going for him.
He has enough money to compete against the DNC machine, and to not be bought.
He is a creative and successful businessman who can inspire company and brand loyalty. So far no employees have spoken against him.
He has 40 years in the public eye and has been vetted.
He is a realtity TV star - and lets face it politics has become a reality TV show “you are the weakest link...goodbye” or who gets “voted off the island”. He knows what it takes to keep people entertained.
He says what he thinks and enjoys pissing people off (I trait I admire actually). He doesn’t mind being the heavy or people hating him. They have for years while he laughs his way to the bank.
He is a joyful competitor. I don’t think he was serious in the beginning and maybe threw his hat in to be a voice, but you can tell he is really enjoying this now. He likes the chase and the spotlight and the fact people like what he is saying (including many who left the GOP after Romney for Constitution Party or became Independent).
Along these lines, he has made and lost and made billions again, it gets boring (here is where he reminds me of my great grandfather and great uncle). He has written books, he has had TV shows, he has raised more than one family. This is a challenge for him and people like him like the challenge above it all.
This country needs a businessman right now who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is and that resonates with people, esp the middle class blue collar.
Is he ethical? Not really (advantage of corporate bankruptcy laws - perfectly legal but questionable eithical) but look at our opponents. They haven’t been ethical for decades. The GOP being the ‘party of principle and ethics’ isn’t reality either. It has gotten us nowhere. We elect supposed conservatives who turn on us as soon as they get into office (look at the midterms) and then say ‘next time’ well we have over 20 years of ‘next time’ and the GOP caving to the dems and being run by RINOS who put forth losers like Romney, Dole, etc and moderates like Bush. The fact the GOPe HATES Trump is a good reason to support him.
He makes no bones about giving money in the past to both sides and admits he was an independent (contrary to Carson who dodged questions about being Democrat until recently). Trump is more transparent than most.
He is squishy on some social issues - I know and it does bother me, but I still am supporting him because if we don’t deal with some big issues like terrorism, an illegals we won’t have a country to worry about social issues.
For all these reasons love him or hate him - Trump is the most logical candidate.
Well reasoned and articulated post.
Brilliant summary of Trump attributes.