Posted on 07/22/2015 2:30:28 PM PDT by Kaslin
Last week, 2016 presidential candidate Donald Trump dropped his second headline-making comment of the race. Responding to statements from Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., in which McCain labeled Trump's supporters on immigration "crazies," Trump shot back that McCain wasn't a war hero, because he had been captured. "I like people who weren't captured," Trump said, paraphrasing a 2008 Chris Rock routine in Michael Scott-like fashion.
Trump's shot was mean, nasty, uncalled for, and idiotic.
The media world immediately declared Trump's campaign over. A few days before the comments, Huffington Post -- a publication created by onetime failed California gubernatorial candidate Arianna Huffington -- announced that it would feature Trump in its entertainment section rather than its politics section. The Wall Street Journal editorial board opined, "It came slightly ahead of schedule, but Donald Trump's inevitable self-immolation arrived on the weekend when he assailed John McCain's war record. The question now is how long his political and media apologists on the right will keep pretending he's a serious candidate."
Trump's rival candidates leapt on the opportunity to throw dirt on Trump's political grave. Governor Rick Perry, R-Texas, said, "I have no confidence that he could adeptly lead our nation's armed forces. His comments over the weekend should completely and immediately disqualify him from seeking our nation's highest office." Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said, "I do think it's a disqualifier as commander in chief." Both trail Trump substantially in the polls.
Trump will, and ought to, take a serious hit in those polls after his McCain idiocy. But he will not go down this easily. That's because Trump exemplifies two qualities many Republican voters seek: brashness and an unwillingness to back down in the face of critics.
Trump's brashness is both his blessing and his curse -- but unlike Spider-Man, Trump seems unable to comprehend that with great power comes great responsibility. He says foolish things, and then refuses to back down from them. But that stubbornness seems to act as a counterweight to his brashness, in an odd way: Conservatives hungry for an unapologetic candidate resonate to Trump, even if he should apologize for his latest tomfoolery. Trump puts himself in a position to draw fire from both the establishment Republicans and the media; when he draws that fire, even for good reason, the base leaps to his defense.
Even better for Trump, his long history of making inane comments means that it will be tough for any one comment to finish him. Like Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side, Trump is so flawed a candidate that it's difficult to tell where the fatal flaw may lie. In such a scenario, flaws become assets. Trump has shifted his positions? Sure, but he's done so constantly -- he's a man of the moment, many believe, and thus we can believe whatever nostrum falls from his lips now. Trump has engaged in corrupt dealings? Sure, but he's so rich that he won't need to take payoffs, unlike those he's already paid off. Trump never shuts up? Well, at least he won't shut up when told to by those in power.
Upper echelon Republicans make a mistake in disqualifying Trump. Democrats never do this: Hillary won't call Bernie Sanders unfit for office, or vice versa. Trump will undoubtedly disqualify himself eventually, as well he should. Republicans can either learn from Trump's better qualities while discarding his worse ones, or they can try to destroy Trump as quickly as possible. The first strategy would be useful, the second wildly counterproductive. Unfortunately, as usual, the Republicans seem to be pursuing the worst possible option.
The media made a single comment by trump the top news for a few days but ignores all the country destroying things obama is doing like this obamatrade crap that is a trojan horse that will allow unlimited immigration into the USA.
It hasn’t hurt him yet in the polls that I can find.
Can a newly elected President get a previous holder of the office put in prison for fraud, or give him the death penalty for treason?
Being a Southern Baptist I can’t say I understand “being elected.” Some of us need to pray for forgiveness several times a day.
People like Trump because over the last 7 years sooooooo much PC crap has been shoved down our throats WE ARE SICK OF IT!!!!! I for the life of me DO NOT understand why OUR SIDE is NO LONGER our side!!!!! WE ARE SICK of bought and paid for politicians!!!!!!! We FIGHT tooth and NAIL to get them in office and WE are BETRAYED EVERY TIME!!!!! I sincerely hope TRUMP wins not because of his views, but because I WANT PAYBACK!!!!!! in ALL honesty the country could NOT possibly get any worse with TRUMP at the helm for 4 years, and EVERYONE’S head would absolutely EXPLODE!!!!!
I think Trump probably takes responsibility for his actions- failures & successes. He knows, God Knows. He repents & makes sure he doesn’t make the same mistake/ failure again. God Knows he’s sorry. It’s probably not *surrendering* himself to God ‘’the right way’’ according to some, but it doesn’t mean that he is not surrendering himself to God.
Do you think that God doesn’t Know what’s in Trump’s heart?
You don’t actually think going to the polls and voting means anything do you? Shoot, I knew once they started the “electronic” voting we wouldn’t have another election decided by the people. We are on their ride folks and until enough people open their own eyes we are stuck with whoever the Elites want to put in there for their puppet. Do you think Obama makes ANY decisions? Hell know, you can practically see the puppet strings when on camera. Revolution the only way this turns around. Get ready because it seems to be right here knocking. Lord protect us is our fight - Amen
You don’t actually think going to the polls and voting means anything do you? Shoot, I knew once they started the “electronic” voting we wouldn’t have another election decided by the people. We are on their ride folks and until enough people open their own eyes we are stuck with whoever the Elites want to put in there for their puppet. Do you think Obama makes ANY decisions? Hell know, you can practically see the puppet strings when on camera. Revolution the only way this turns around. Get ready because it seems to be right here knocking. Lord protect us is our fight - Amen
God knows, but how do you know?
I have no idea, but I am sure someone can
:-) I don’t need to know. That’s between him & our Heavenly Father. We’re not to judge our brethren.
Check!
He’ll turn the first debate into a goat rodeo.
But he’s has legitimate points.
If Candy Crowley thought that, Trump is indeed formidable.
Trump is playing the popular New York character Archie Bunker. Once Trump accidentally touches the third rail of modern politics by insulting a black person, the urban media will finally have him in checkmate.
You are absolutely right. People are sick of the establishment career politicians that only pretend to care when their election is coming up. As soon as they con a vote out of us they go back to their gated protected communities and the rest of us have to live in the hell they create.
In your previous post you seemed to be speaking for Trump, or more precisely making excuses for his not ever asking for forgiveness. I have no idea what is in his heart (and don’t really care) but Trump was the one that said it.
When it comes to marriage I understand he tries out the new models before junking the old ones. Any opinion on his marriage practices?
We need to keep track of what he actually plans on doing.
Shapiro practicing MSM yellow journalism by omitting the fact that Trump immediately, repeatedly, in the same breath said that McCain was a war hero.
I’m not ‘’speaking for’’ him, but I can understand his point of view. It doesn’t matter if I agree with it. It’s what comes from not forgiving oneself, imho. What I mean is, I think he doesn’t ask for forgiveness because HE views whatever he’s done as obviously unforgivable. He should have known better, so how can he even ask? I understand this because I have been this way. It isn’t arrogance. It’s humility- & a lack of fathoming the Grace of God. God Isn’t Done with any of us yet.
The question of his private life, too, is between Mr Trump, his loved ones, & God.
Are we playing Find Something With Which To Excoriate Him? We have guidance regarding that, do we not?
I don’t see what bearing either of these questions have on whether he would make a good leader or not. Jesus isn’t here. And He wouldn’t be running the government in *this* world if He was.
1. Jesus Died for remission of the sins of ALL mankind. That includes everyone.
2. Render to God, that which is God’s & render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s.
3. If we’re looking for some sinless man to guide us, that isn’t even possible. Not among ourselves, not among our pastors, & certainly not among those who seek to govern us. Power corrupts. Period.
We would be fools to proclaim that ANY person is morally ‘’good’’. As you say, we can’t know their hearts. We’ve seen this play out time & time again.
But the Trumpster is jerking their chains and I like it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.