Posted on 01/21/2016 5:51:42 AM PST by Kaslin
No one, with the possible exception of Donald Trump, could have predicted six months ago that the billionaire real estate magnate would be sitting atop the Republican presidential nomination field less than two weeks before the first caucus in Iowa.
But there is little doubt that that is where he is. According to Real Clear Politics, national polls have Trump at 35 percent, Ted Cruz at 19 percent and Marco Rubio at 13 percent. The site has Iowa's Trump average at 28 percent and Cruz's at 27 percent. In New Hampshire, which is more moderate than Iowa, Trump is at 31 percent, followed by John Kasich at 13 percent.
It's been a big week for Trump. He spoke at Liberty University, a bastion of evangelical higher education, and was endorsed by Sarah Palin in Iowa. As if this wasn't enough bad news for Cruz, who is attempting to solidify the evangelical base of the Republican Party, Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad accused Cruz of being "heavily financed by Big Oil." Branstad went on to state that, "once Iowans realize that fact, they might find other things attractive, but he could be very damaging to our state."
If, when watching Trump, you still can't quite determine why people are supporting him, take a look at the story Matthew MacWilliams wrote this week in Politico Magazine titled, "The One Weird Trait That Predicts Whether You're a Trump Supporter."
MacWilliams writes that "a single statistically significant variable predicts whether a voter supports Trump -- and it's not race, income or education levels: It's authoritarianism."
While the media and commentators have been focusing on race, age or gender, attempting to pigeonhole Trump supporters, MacWilliams sees something very different in the data.
How did MacWilliams determine the authoritarianism of the respondents? By asking questions that "pertain to child-rearing: whether it is more important for the voter to have a child who is respectful or independent; obedient or self-reliant; well-behaved or considerate; and well-mannered or curious," the article said. "Respondents who pick the first option in each of these questions are strongly authoritarian."
According to MacWilliams, it's not just Republicans who have the authoritarian trait, but also "39 percent of independents ... and the 17 percent of self-identified Democrats who are strong authoritarians ... it's very possible that Trump's fan base will continue to grow."
A second statistically significant variable was "fear of terrorism." In a time of uncertainty, whether from the economy, national security or an increasingly complex world, being unsure could lead people to follow leaders who seem able to solve their problems, thereby making their lives better.
When Palin endorsed Trump in Iowa this week, her comments reinforced MacWilliams' analysis. Palin talked about needing Trump so that there would be "no more pussyfooting around." She continued by asking the crowd, "Are you ready for a commander-in-chief ... let our warriors do their job and go kick ISIS' ass?"
Palin continued by providing a narrative of how a Trump presidency would make their lives more secure, "Ready for someone who will secure our border,
to secure our jobs and to secure our homes."
The appeal is for a leader who is strong, who can make us safe in an uncertain world.
This week, Iran swapped prisoners with the United States. We were given four, and gave them seven. This past Wednesday marks the 35th anniversary of the release of 52 U.S. hostages, which happened minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president. It ended a crisis that had lasted 444 days, and was among the reasons Jimmy Carter lost his bid for a second term.
This is a small view of the national security backdrop for this election.
This past Monday, when introducing Trump to the Liberty University students, President Jerry Falwell Jr. talked about why his father, Jerry Falwell, had supported Ronald Reagan over Carter. The younger Falwell said Reagan's ability to lead was the reason for his father's decision. "When he walked into the voting booth, he wasn't electing a Sunday school teacher or a pastor or even a president who shared his theological beliefs; he was electing the president of the United States with the talents, abilities and experience required to lead a nation."
It will be fascinating to see if evangelicals in Iowa and South Carolina follow the same line of reasoning when they walk into the voting booth and decide whether to vote for Trump.
Mmmm...authoritarian steak...
What took them so long to notice? They have several things in common, the most prominent being their ability to convince their loyalists they are whatever they want them to be. And the same temperament - ridiculing and bully all who oppose them. To Bambi’s credit I never heard him swear during a stump speech.
Because nobody cares about this ad hominem word salad of unhinged Trump FUD.
I like it .....sign of toughness....no BS as it were. A MAN.
Just see the top headline above the photo on DRUDGE today. Globalists in Davos shaking in their boots that Trump is going to put an end to their sucking American blood.
Obama is so popular, isn’t it wonderful?
Trump is so popular, what is wrong with people?
I saw the article Gingrich was referencing when it came out earlier. She explains it better than the author did. Still think it’s BS though. Switch the word authoritarian out for “savvy pro-American leadership”. Then you have a story.
Trump said he was going to “take care us.” That appeals to many.
A few of Trump’s fans here in FR have openly stated they’re OK with a dictatorial, Trump-led government. Apparently, the idea of a jackboot on their neck comforts them.
Trump said he was going to “take care us.” That appeals to many.
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It does indeed...folks are still looking for HOPE & CHANGE. They’re just looking in all the wrong place IMHO.
* “take care OF us.â€
It's very similar to that Obamalove dynamic that swept the country back in 2008.
Complete total hysteric BS from your typical Establishment tool.
People see Trump as a liberator. Liberating them from the DC Business/Political/Media master class who does nothing but mock and deride their very real economic and security concerns.
..the only one of that second generation of children of famous preachers who is actually a cut above their fathers politically —Franklin Graham ...
Another completely ridiculous establishment manufactured attack line. Trump has all ready provided more specifics on Trade, Immigration and Taxes alone then all of O 2008 campaign provided on anything.
A man...interesting view.
“How did MacWilliams determine the authoritarianism of the respondents? By asking questions that “pertain to child-rearing: whether it is more important for the voter to have a child who is respectful or independent; obedient or self-reliant; well-behaved or considerate; and well-mannered or curious,” the article said. “Respondents who pick the first option in each of these questions are strongly authoritarian.””
My son is a strong-willed child and is independent, self-reliant, considerate, and very curious. Loved by all and a former Marine infantryman. He is also respectful, obeys his superiors (even when he views a lot of the cosmetics as b.s.), not very well-behaved but obeys the law, and has learned to be well-mannered. He is ALL man.
Come to think of it, he is much like Jesus, loves his bride so much he would lay down his life for her. Don’t see either of the two mentioned giving up all power or wealth for anything.
Well we need a Napoleon to cut the head off the collectivist/Moslem beast. But, alas, if you vote in Napoleon you just might find you have Napoleon.
Pretty pathetic that “Conservatives” have adopted the Leftist debate tactic of hysteric nonsensical personal attack and the bile laced tirade.
What the matter? Incapable of making a case FOR your candidate so all you are left with is regurgitating these old attack lies from the from far left wing bots at Politco?
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