[DannyTN]

I would definitely vote for Trump over a democrat.

And if I had to vote for the GOP nominee today, I'd vote for Trump for the following reasons:

1. Trump understands how our international trade policies are the primary cause of our economic and unemployment problems. No other candidate gets that. Most still support free trade agreements with countries that have high unemployment and low wages. And Cruz ardently supported giving fast track authority to Obama, though now he's changed his mind indicating both a lack of economic understanding, and flawed judgement with regard to Obama.
2. Trump understands that illegal immigration is also contributing to our unemployment problems. He will close the border. And he will deport the criminals and sponges. No candidate will deport them all including Trump because it's been allowed to go on for so long.
3. Trump identifies as Christian-Espiscopalian, has called out Obama for not allowing middle east Christians to immigrate while allowing middle east Muslims to immigrate, and has stated that he will defend Christian interests. And while I'd prefer Baptist, Trump is the one who's willing to speak about Christianity. All the candidates identify as Christian, but Carson is a Seventh Day Adventist which is considered a cult by mainstream Christianity.
4. Trump called out Obama for being to politically correct about Islam after the Chattanooga shootings. Who else has done that?
5. Trump changed in 2011 from being pro-choice to being pro-abortion. His value foundation for the change isn't as strong as I would like, but he seems pretty much as good as the other candidates.
6. Trump has stated he's for traditional marriage and that gay rights is not his thing. He isn't making it much of a campaign issue. But then neither are most of the others.
7. Trump has voiced strong support for Israel and has said we should be increasing sanctions on Iran, not making a bad deal with them.
8. Trump said in the past that he supports Universal healthcare. But recently he has stated that Obamacare will be too expensive and needs to be repealed. He has stated that he wants to find market mechanisms to extend coverage to all.
9. Trump hasn't written off groups of voters like Romney did.
10. Trump knows how to handle the press. And Trump is more charismatic than the rest of the candidates put together, which means he has a better chance winning the Presidency.
11. Trump knows how to manage people. He can size people up very fast. He knows how to use metrics to manage processes. We need someone who can say "You're fired" to career bureaucrats that are inefficient in their jobs.
12. I believe Trump will bring us a much leaner government.
13. Trump has dealt with excessive regulation from the regulatee's standpoint.

[DannyTN]

#5 should say changed from pro-choice to pro-life.

[Lexinom]

Yes, for his many warts, he's saying the things no one else is and making the libs squeal like stuck pigs.

I am very interested to see how he and Cruz interact within the broader primary electoral arena.