Posted on 07/29/2015 8:42:11 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
I've been deeply skeptical and critical of Donald J. Trump, presidential candidate. And I continue to have grave doubts as to whether he will actually stay in the race all the way until voters start voting next February.
But, there is one thing that Trump deserves real credit for: He engages with the press more than any other candidate running for president.
Here's Dave Weigel writing about Trump's Iowa picnic over the weekend:
After his main speech, and after a quick address to his overflow room, Trump stood for 28 minutes of reporter questions. He referred to producers who had covered him before by their first names.
*snip*
Trump's understanding of the media -- and what they can do for him -- is actually quite advanced. Here's a key passage from "Art of the Deal" explaining his approach:
I’m not saying that [journalists] necessarily like me. Sometimes they write positively, and sometimes they write negatively. But from a pure business point of view, the benefits of being written about have far outweighed the drawbacks. It’s really quite simple. If I take a full-page ad in the New York Times to publicize a project, it might cost $40,000, and in any case, people tend to be skeptical about advertising. But if the New York Times writes even a moderately positive one-column story about one of my deals, it doesn’t cost me anything, and it’s worth a lot more than $40,000.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
He’s no fool.
Trump might be altogether revolutionizing the way campaigns are wage. He might even make the debates (because they are not really debates but staged performances) less important...he might even render them unimportant.
Trump does not do unimportant.
Maybe conservatives in the GOP will revolt and start speaking out…
In fact, I would say that if he can really out-negotiate China and Russia and Mexico, he will have to also prove that he can out-deal his competition both in the primaries and in the General Election.
And so far, that is exactly what he is doing.
As a former New Yorker, I know his blustery exterior makes him appear a lot less intelligent than he really is.
He is definite an original article, but he also has a schtick that is almost Borscht Belt comedian.
Trump can call out anyone on either side because he is not dependent on the RNC for funding or blessings.
My only concern is that he is a stalking horse, taking up so much airtime that guys like Cruz aren't getting that time and exposure, people who are less well known (if at all) amongst the huge population who don't pay attention until the third week before the primaries.
If Trump drops out, he will have used up column inches and headlines which could have gone to less well known contenders, leaving the 'big name' people like Jeb in the front of the pack for name recognition--which would serve the GOPee just fine but likely elect a Democrat.
Time will tell.
Right.
Which is why he pulled out of the NH Union Leader debate.
Pingeroo.
Addition to our earlier conversation.
He has one shot to look like the mogul CEO who can competently get things done. He'll look even better if the low-pollers bring nothing to the debate except vapid stump one-liners.
-PJ
The Donald has ALWAYS engaged the press, no doubt about it. Just another tool in his charm arsenal, and one he uses much more to his advantage than the other way around.
Grudgingly, perhaps, but down deep, most of the press corps sort of ADMIRES The Donald. If they could have burned him any time in the past, they have not done it to any significant degree.
Also, the media knows the kind of torment they would be in for if they DID get aggressive with The Donald.
Not only the Teflon Don, but with a pretty good undergirding of cold-rolled, case-hardened, nickel-plated, chromium-vanadium-tungsten-molybdenum alloy steel armor plate.
Only The Donald will be able to do damage to The Donald.
Thanks RR
SHHHHHH! No, no, no. Don’t tip off Hillary to this. Let her remain the same aloof, isolated, narcissistic witch she’s always been. She’s getting no press coverage except bad coverage written about her scandals, and she is NOT making friendly with the press, whom she will need on down the campaign trail. So, leave her alone. You don’t interrupt your arch enemy if he/she is committing suicide.
We’re still what ... 15 months out? I think there is time for Cruz, Walker (& unfortunately, the ‘squishes’) to make their case & get air time. Right now, The Donald is doing a lot of the heavy lifting - bringing up issues like the illegal alien problem, Hillary’s criminal acts, America’s decline under Obama, etc. and allowing no dodging, ducking or backtracking. He’s getting the tough stuff out front and center that the GOPe won’t touch and in such a way that the media is neutered trying to blow it off. He’s like a guy with a machete cutting a path through the media jungle ..... the media that get in the way get cut down to size. I think he’s still a positive overall ... at this point in time.
Lo king the Demoine paper out of the picnic/speach sent a message to them. R E S P E C T Trump demands more than a little
He definitely has the Jewish humor thing down pat. It’s amazing how generational NYers all turn into Jews no matter what their race or creed!
LOL.
I am smiling.
Mr. Trump knows how to dominate the news.
I agree. He has dragged a lot out the MSM would not have touched and the GOPe would just as soon leave alone. That is a good thing.
I think many will be slow to embrace that because it not only offends their normalcy bias, but they will fear being labelled as extremists (which undoubtedly will be what the MSM tries to do to Trump).
So Trump answered press questions for 28 minutes after a recent event,,and no new dirt came out from that?
You would think if the press was so “intelligent” and Trump was such a fool, that he would have been handing them 28 minutes of dirt.
Where is it?
Interesting.
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.