One thing that differs sharply from the time Buckley set out that theory -- almost 50 years ago -- is the burgeoning and ubiquity of the media, particularly the 24/7 news cycle that demands sensationalism, and failing to get enough, creates it. Trump is actually a better candidate because in addition to his other skills as a developer of complex projects, he is already tempered by, and hardened to, the media game.
He’s getting better at it with time.
This was a really good editorial, and I hope you’ll write more. But Please be sure to call them an editorial on the news activism page so they’ll get the views they deserve.