Indeed, Nathan, I did like the response you linked. Your opinions are clear, and persuasive. I don't agree on all, but... I do on many.
I don't have as negative an opinion of Trump as you do. I think he's a man who truly does love his country and has been trying to do good things for it. He's failed in many areas, but succeeded in others. Nevertheless, he has never shirked from the spotlight... (lol, now THERE's an understatement!)
I think it's pretty clear that DJT has been dreaming about being President for most of his adult life. Like 17+ others, he saw an opportunity in this cycle, and jumped on it. Before anyone else, Trump very clearly saw THE ISSUE that could carry him all the way: Illegal Immigration. He made this issue the centerpiece of his announcement, and returns to it every time he gets into trouble. Nine months later, he’s STILL the Republican front runner, and the ONLY candidate with a chance to win an outright majority of the votes. Like it or not, he IS the “winner”…. Almost. Our bizarre system for nomination might still save the day for the establishment.
Personally, I have always preferred Cruz and still do. But, I copied the quote from Michelala above for a reason: I think it’s correct. As a Cruz supporter, I must admit; he has NO CHANCE to win the nomination outright, with votes from the people. Perhaps Cruz has the political organizational skills to pull off a win in an open convention, but… I doubt it. I see it as FAR MORE likely that, we get a GOPe candidate like Ryan. In fact, I’d probably take an even money bet, right now, that Paul Ryan will be the R Party nominee. He won’t win the general (Since the Trump AND Cruz supporters will revolt). But, he’ll be ‘nice enough’ in the losing, that Republicans will be able to hold the House, and… hopefully, the Senate. This is the logic of the GOPe.
Honestly? I don’t know what I think. I WANT to believe that Trump is a smart man with pure motives, one who could be a strong leader in a fight against Socialism. He does have a relationship with the American people that has been developed over 30 years, and won’t be easily destroyed by the media. He does FIGHT, in a way no other R leader will. But, he also continues to do truly stupid, childish things like talking about his ‘junk’, attacking Heidi Cruz, or not simply apologizing to Michelle “Baby Face” Fields. I am concerned by the possibility that Trump would “lose it all’. That would be a disaster for this country, as you have correctly identified.
I waffle because, I don’t see a clear path forward. I don’t see a champion for conservatism worthy of the cause. I don’t see a country receptive to our message. I fear, we are like the drug addict who must hit rock bottom before seeing the hope of Jesus. Maybe, as a country, we deserve Bernie Sanders? Or maybe, we need to prop up our best fighter and try to carry him to the finish line. Of one thing I’m sure, Trump WANTS to win, and will FIGHT for it. We’ll see how the process plays out. I HATE being pessimistic, but I don’t see any way this ends well for conservatism, or America.
If not Trump, who?