The Trump problem.
 

Trump is a master marketer, that is apparent. He knows the art of the sale, and he uses it to a degree never before seen in presidential politics. He is a celebrity, slightly more impressive than Kim Kardashian, or Gene Simmons, but with little to recommend him as a national leader other than his ability to sell his image. He sets up events that bring in large numbers of people because of his celebrity, and to a degree, because of the entertainment value, and the media covers it because it sells advertising, and is compelling much like a multi-car accident. Meanwhile other candidates with far mor gravitas get little to no exposure because they are not as outrageous or compelling. So Trump gets free exposure in the media while others have to use expensive advertising to get their message out or get equal exposure. John Kasich is an excellent candidate with stellar experience, and great appeal, but because Trump sucks all the air out of the media, he gets little exposure for his superior ideas, as contrasted with Trumps half-baked, nonsensical, and totally impossible schemes. We have heard all the theories about whyTrump is so popular with people, and I get it, but do you really think that he is the kind of person that should represent the best of this country?

Yes.

You are working way too hard to get Trump to fit a political profile....the business as usaul politician.....the play it safe....don't hurt anybody's feelings....wishy washy....two faced....typical politician.

People are sick and tired of the incompetence in Washington starting with Obama. They are sick and tired of their America being reduced to an also ran or less on the world stage.
They are sick and tired of rag tag terrorists and terrorist countries walking all over the American values.....sick and tired of our politicians pretending the enemy is our friend.....

to name a few.

And like it or not Trumps says the same things about all the crap above and the cronyism, business as usual politicians.

Americans are ready to err on the side of someone who is promising to do what they want. All the previous errors like Obama have only proven to be nothing but talk, harbor and support our enemies while ruining America in the process.

That is why they are resonating with Trump.

And I do think you are very much in error when you categorize Trump "...Trumps half-baked, nonsensical, and totally impossible schemes...."

The Americans who support him do not see that. They see an aggressive business person who is not afraid of the establishment.

You can like your guy, but you should be more attentive to why it is Trump is literally making history with his following.

Can he do any worse than Obama. NO!!! Only one can do that. Clinton.

Can he do all of what he promises? Probably not. Can he do more than the crony establishment and incompetence of Obama's 8 year debacle.....Damn right he can.

Obama won the election twice by being a good talker.
The American people are now listening to another talker that holds the promise of delivering more than that!! Obama did not!

I listened to an interview PBS had tonight with Rand Paul. Intellectually Trump sounds like a buffoon compared to Paul. I can understand Trump's appeal to the uneducated but never guessed he would do well in this community.

Trump is not uneducated, even though he sounds like a dock worker. Americans want something different representing them, and he is different. Obama was different, so those chose him over Hillary and a war hero. Why? Because they bother represented Washington.

I still can't get my hand around the idea of Trump as president, but then again, after obama why not?

I am still hoping that Rubio will do better, since he understand diplomacy a bit better and I believe he can work with everyone, not just the disgruntled.

As a progressive Democrat - here is my opinion of Trump ......

GO TRUMP !!!!!!!!!

Please Donald - bring Palin with you to every rally, and let her speak.

I don't know what is worst, Palin's motor mouth, high pitched voice, or Hillary's wicked witch of the West cackle. I don't want to see either in the White House, and I know that Palin won't because Trump wouldn't do it.

Understandable from your position. Hard to argue.

Progressive democrat=oxymoron...
 

Absolutely nothing has been progressed with the democrats who subscribe to this verifiable stealing of American $$$$$ and the downgrading of the free society we ascribe to. The p.c. progressives want us to be sensitive to the minorities while they rape and pillage their way around the world. They want to elect a woman who steals from the public, lies to the world and degrades anyone who gets in her way and claims they're either sexist, racist or unAmerican....seriously?!?

Under progressive leadership racism has flourished, the poor are poorer and women are going nowhere fast. Chicago, San Francisco and New York are examples of progressive democracy in action...failures each and every one.

Ask yourself why when a democrat fails at something(and they're in charge)they always blame somebody else. There isn't a progressive alive who's ever taken responsibility for their own actions...it's always someone else's fault. Why would anyone want someone to run anything with that sort of ideology??????? Bunch of money spending cowards....

Really, please name the republican running today that has apologized for anything.

I do not get it either. How can anyone trust this pathological liar?

The RNC will rig the nomination process somehow that Trump will NOT be the nominee and Rubio WILL be the nominee.

Trump will be angry and run as a third party buffoon and siphon off votes intentionally to make the Republicans lose to the Democraic nominee.

Doubt me? Make your best case.

You really do live in an alternative universe. San Francisco is a failure. They have the highest maybe second highest housing prices in the US. If they are a failure, why do people want to live there?

New York is a failure. Does that mean when Trump toots New York's horn he doesn't know what he is talking about.

Democrats always want to blame someone else. Having you been reading the posts on this board? The Republicans here don't think that Republicans are responsible for anything. I have seen such a group of people that are so full of hate.

Don't need a "best case." You are talking RNC, not DNC. Case closed.

YOu are absolutely right. Conservatives need to start taking the blame for something, for a change. I say that conservatives should take the blame for higher moral and ethical standards. They should also take the blame for attempting to slow or stop the out of control spending in Washington. I also blame them for their fanatical wish for border control and attempting to enforce immigration laws. And on top of it all, they believe in national security. I blame them for all of that.

Dear OP Guest: First let me compliment you on a well written and well thought out piece. And respecting that sentiment let me return this thread to your questioning.

I agree with all you reference as to why Trump is beating everyone in the polls and why he is receiving so much free media exposure.

On the other hand in my view it only partially explains why other candidates, much to my chagrin, are not receiving equal time despite campaign financing. However, candidates themselves have to take some of the blame because they are just not good salespeople or their message is not resonating with voters. I give you that Trump is peddling populous propaganda but that is reaching the base of his voters.

Whether they realize it or not man voters, Republican or Democrat have become statist believe government is the one solution. Those who do not lean toward the Cruz's and Rubio's

You reference John Kasich. I personally am not enarmored by his presentation nor his agenda because it speaks to government as the solution and more government means more taxes, regulation ...meddling in people's lives.

To address your real concern, you like me, are upset that this election cycle is so one sided, out of control and not issue driven with an opportunity to kick the tires with every candidate.

Between now and March 15th we will all know where the November election is heading but until then even the paid political pundits are guessing.

Thank you once again for a well thought thread. We need more of the same on Political Talk.

Personal Best Regards:

Why didn't your president bush and your majorities in congress fix all this, you would't know a true fact if it hit you in the face. The sky is falling.

"Whether they realize it or not man voters, Republican or Democrat have become statist believe government is the one solution. Those who do not lean toward the Cruz's and Rubio's"

Where do states when they are in trouble go to, big government. Example, your great governor of Michigan just to name one of numerous times. Please President Obama can we have some money because we screwed the people of Flint and we have no money to try and correct it.

The national review, one of the most conservative groups out there, has labeled Trump as a menace. Additionally, they call him crude. I cannot disagree with their analysis. As a progressive, however I do hope he gets the nomination, simply to ensure the win of the Democrats.

Then you have nothing to worry about. Because the only liberal that has a chance to win IF Trump doesn't get it, is Sanders the socialist. If so, you deserve what you will get.

Did you mean Hillary!

You are absolutely right!

Trump is bonkers :loco: but I would dearly love to see him be the nominee. I am so happy I was able to get a Florida driver license so I can vote this year.

You finally passed driver's ed? Congrats.

Cannot agree that "Trump is peddling populous propaganda". No question he does not have the smooth political delivery that has elected many a candidate to office over our country's history. Unfortunately with the sophistication of the campaign in recent years many unqualified candidates that look great and have great speechwriters, get elected. Trump did not get his business to the level it is without an intelligent and well executed plan. His employees and family have nothing but positive things to say. Your "populous propaganda" are really statements that many many more conservative Americans want to have happen than you can believe. There is such a great divide between the left and the right in this country that any post by either side will never be exempt from attack by the other. This is how Congress and the Executive branch has operated for a long time. So here we are looking for someone to execute dramatic change to a system that is unpopular to half the country.

Trump's Atlantic city casinos filed for bankruptcy three times. Casinos have not been the only weakness in the Trump empire. There have been many high profile bankruptcy filings, bad real estate deals, and a trail of ongoing lawsuits accusing him of bad business practices. In addition, he got his start by having rich parents. What he's been good at is manipulating the media and keeping his name in the news, and branding himself and his name. His skill at keeping his name in the news has helped his presidential campaign. Are these skills what we are looking for in a President though? His personality certainly isn't a compromising type that would be able to deal with Congress. He would be subject to congressional approval and would not be able to "fire" those whom he would like to. I just can't see him being successful as President. And worldwide, other leaders look at him as a buffoon. That certainly wouldn't help our image.

trump only has one thing in his way....the constitution of the united states of america. I am offended by his implications that america is not great, the whole world looks to us. is it so long that we will make der fatherland great again isn't still resonating in our ears???

He does have to be given credit for either having the smarts on his own or hiring those that do....when to take advantage of existing laws that allow bankruptcy filings.

Too many folks do not know how bankruptcy proceedings work and why. Too many think it is like a big door that slams down on those just doing something wrong or mis-managing a business. When in fact it is a process pursued as the best option going forward. Many are called pre-pack filings with the outcome desired already known in advance.

Big money; many businesses; some not so good? Dumping is easy....bankruptcy provides opportunity to either minimize losses or even make money.

None of the above equates to being incapable.....quite the contrary.

he is not the genius he claims to be either (he has made sure to block access to his academic records, and my uncle who was part of the new york real estate elite had told me at the time that trump didn't make it into Penn on grades he made it on being 3rd generation of the trump real estate dynasty and it took 2 years of family pressure to get him into wharton in his junior year.

that divide is the best example of why party politics doesn't work. the party becomes an entity that has no true respect for its constituency, its greatest imperative is its own continuance regardless of the issues its constituents believe important.and now parties are trying to control us using religions as their weapons to divide. this years crop of candidates are the most petty, foul mouthed nincompoops we've seen in a while.

Obama didn't let the Constitution get in his way. He blatantly ignored it. You are right about the whole world looking to us,--- and laughing at our weakness since Obama. If you think that the idiots Kerry and Obama have negotiated good deals by leading from behind (following) then you are an idiot also.

What's the difference? Obama got into Harvard due to Affirmative action. Have you seen his academic records? I have a relative that knows a janitor that has a fifth cousin that said that Obama didn't even attend Harvard.

No, I have been a licensed driver for years in England. I used my international driver license to get the Florida license. Just about everyone in Europe has both a license from their own country plus an international driving license. If the Florida clerks are dumb bunnies, I don't care. Now, I am able to vote in England and Florida!

Go Hillary!!

I love this country. Truly the land of the free. Good post.

No wonder they call our state "Floriduh".

The gun lobby, and NRA say over and over that enhanced background checks would not have stopped any of the mass killing that have happened in the past few years. Therefore, there is no need to change gun laws.

Applying that same logic, since anyone can get a drivers license, and a drivers license is one of the acceptable forms of ids to obtain a voter id, isn't changing the voting process making a voter id necessary before you can vote totally a waste of time vote a waste of time? Therefore, there is no need to change the voting process. Just show up, and vote.

You have to be a U.S. Citizen to vote. If you're not, you're mocking our nation.

Dear Guest: As to where do states go when their in trouble bear in mind that Obama ad his EPA where as much to blame for this misfire as was Michigan's Quality Water Division. and while a Republican governor who should share the blame is in office Flint like Detroit have been Democratic cities for decades

My only point is that too many people want government to be all things and it has made too may of us too dependent.

Take the college kids today who demand their student loans be forgiven because they did not get a job they believed was promised them. When we were in college it was made clear that a college education was for the expressed purpose of knowledge only .

Personal Best Regards:

The Flint water treatment problem looks like a bureaucratic mess-up where some small group of "experts" were too arrogant with the idea of their expertise in a limited area. Does not really fall to President Obama nor to the Michigan Governor but to the clique that made these decisions. Common sense was overrun by the arrogance of a small group of bureaucrats.

Dear Guest: Let's define "populous propaganda". Populous (popular) is "liked by many" "famous" "having wide acceptance" propaganda " organized effort to educate others to one belief's" Trump like all candidates gets on the bully pulpit and parrots what people are most agitated about. People in this state of mind are very vulnerable and they make poor judgment assuming because a candidate says it s/he can make it happen.

Take Trump's repeating theme "Make America Great Again" Well the fact is America is still great and to support my statement consider that despite the fact that we have the worse president in history, America is still far ahead of any other nation. Why because of our US Constitution and because of our Democractic beliefs , our rules of law, our civility....simply our superior form of government. We have had this president repeatedly kicking this nation in the stomach and we have withstood his malfeasance and Americans have shouted back to him "is that all you got?"

Trump in my view is not the way because he does not have the moral imagination or courage that is needed now. He is a pied piper and we will only create more division and that is the last thing we need know. We need a unifer. His continual and vicious attacks on anyone who criticizes him is very telling because like Obama he is thin skinned which i view as a weakness and like Obama as Chris Christie aptly labeled he too reacts like a petulant child and we are in desperate need of an adult in the West Wing

Personal Best Regards:

Not to pick on you,as you never pick on others, please proof read your post before submitting it. So you go to college for knowledge only, mmmm. When you were in college most graduates had job offers when they graduated, not now.