Don’t get all the hoopla over Donald Trump? Gimme a “hell yeah”

I have to admit I’m completely baffled by all the fanfare surrounding Donald Trump’s flirtation with running for President, whether it be as an “Independent” or another party affiliation. The sensationalism-obsessed MSM, of course, can be expected to be all over this story but what’s not understandable is why some Republicans and conservatives are becoming excited about the possibility that Trump will run for President. Jonah Goldberg has a great column up today on this issue in which he reminds conservatives who support a Trump candidacy that he is not exactly the person we need to rally around for 2012 – not if we support conservative policies and want to win, anyway:

Not a day goes by when someone doesn’t explain that Newt Gingrich can’t win because he’s damaged goods. And it’s certainly true that the former speaker of the House has a lot of baggage — “enough to open a Louis Vuitton store” writes Ramesh Ponnuru in National Review. But surely “The Donald’s” baggage would require an army of stevedores and sherpas.

And yet, the thrice-married lothario who says all women are gold diggers — at least when it comes to signing prenuptial agreements with him — is actually leading among Republican women, according to a CNN poll.

Forget Gingrich. Consider Mitt Romney. Nearly every conservative in Christendom not on Romney’s payroll — and some who are! — insist that his “Romneycare” law in Massachusetts is a political albatross given its similarities to “Obamacare.” Well, here’s Trump in his book, “The America We Deserve”: “We must have universal healthcare. Our objective [should be] … to find an equivalent of the single-payer plan that is affordable, well-administered, and provides freedom of choice.” Trump is flip-flopping now, as he is on his past support for Democrats, raising taxes, etc. And changes of heart are fine. But forgive me if I don’t equate the word “Trump” with “sincere.”

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has been under fire for (foolishly) suggesting a “truce” on cultural issues with the left. Social conservatives rightly saw this as a call for unilateral disarmament. But somehow gambling and wrestling impresario Trump would make a reliable champion of social issues?

[…]

Still, I understand why the Republican electorate is so fickle. The GOP field is boring and cautious (though boring is an asset in a matchup against Barack Obama), while Trump is entertaining and seems fearless. It’s fun to watch the media fall for Trump’s act and the White House seethe over his “birther” crusade.

So have your fun. But remember the next election is a very serious thing, and with a Trump candidacy, the joke will be on us.

Make sure to read the whole thing.

13 Responses to "Don’t get all the hoopla over Donald Trump? Gimme a “hell yeah”"

Phineas says:

April 19, 2011 at 2:51 pm

I think the popularity of Trump right now is both another sign of our celebrity-captivated culture (as it was in 08 with Obama) and the public’s displeasure with the existing political class. It reflects the populist moment we find ourselves in. Honestly, I don’t think he’ll get very far. My bigger concern is that he’ll go independent and “pull a Perot,” dragging votes away from the Republican candidate.
Carlos says:

April 19, 2011 at 5:44 pm

You say “consider Romney” and put down those who think his RomneyCare is an albatross, then go on to explain that the Donald supports universal health care, too!

Which is it? Is Mitt OK in spite of health care, or is Trump a disaster for the same reason?

Personally, I’m underwhelmed by most candidates mentioned as viable candidates so far, and Mitt is the most underwhelming of all. He’s exactly what the empty suits on the RNC want.
Old Goat says:

April 19, 2011 at 6:19 pm

I think of it more as the Perot syndrome. As the economy is doing so poorly, and distrust in the political system we have in place, Trump (heck even Perot during his time) is a change and a form of revolt against the “system”.

When you see Boehner going through the negotiations with Obama and come out saying “WINNING!” while he delivered far less than the rhetoric promised, you see both sides of the aisle talking about cutting spending while holding on dearly to each and every increased spending for THEIR pet programs and projects, you start desiring to see a profound change at the top.

Trump, like him or not, does have experience with getting things done in a big way. He knows how to succeed in business, and politics isn’t all that different. At least on terms of internal US issues.

His foreign policy talk, I am not a fan. I do think he could get the spending under control, and he wouldn’t be afraid of taking on a fight.

Not saying I would vote for him, but if – as a for instance – it was a choice between McCain, Trump or Obama, who would you choose? I would choose Trump over those other two by a large margin.

Trump has a brass set on him. He is also a narcissist, just like our current “dear leader”. Trump will listen to alternate solutions though, where the current occupant of the WH will only listen to alternate voices so long as they echo his own.

Trump may not be an ideal candidate, and I do question his true motives. I think it depends far more on the field running before any determination could be made. I don’t agree with all his views, but that can be said about far too many of our leaders. His fiscal knowledge might just be something that is viewed by the people as being needed at this time.
Drew says:

April 19, 2011 at 6:33 pm

People.

If you want to win the White House, and you want to prevent financial disaster, please start investigating Pawlenty and Daniels.

I happen to be a Romney man, but have concluded that for whatever reason the GOP cannot coalesce around him. Unfortunate, but I’m not one for beating my head against the wall.
just a conservative girl says:

April 19, 2011 at 8:22 pm

If these people want an outsider with good business experience than take a look at Herman Cain. There is no doubt that he is a conservative. But he is not stirring the pot about the birther issues.
Old Goat says:

April 19, 2011 at 10:20 pm

Cain would be fine by me, but I don’t see there being a problem with Obama being asked for the proof about him being who he claims to be. There are far too many questions about him that are not answered. McCain didn’t bring any of it up because of his own status that had some questions.

When you think about the ramifications that could arise from Obama being President if it can be proven that he was not constitutionally eligible to hold office it makes it important to have these answered within a reasonable doubt.

Obama has questions on if he gave up his citizenship, questions on his SS number – where it was issued and when it was issued, questions on his school attendance where no one seems to recall knowing him, questions on passport records. The list isn’t small. If Obama has committed fraud, it is a huge issue.

I don’t see it being a bad thing if it gets questioned and answered. It can’t be the only issue to run on though.
Carlos says:

April 19, 2011 at 10:58 pm

If Duh-1 has committed such a fraud, I would think that everything he has signed into law becomes questionable, not to mention all the co-conspirators eligible for jail time (the current A.G. comes immediately to mind).
Sefton says:

April 20, 2011 at 2:30 am

Trump may not be an ideal candidate, and I do question his true motives.

Like Old Goat, this is where I’m at on Trump. Even without all the former (now flip-flop) statements on policy and party, the guy just comes across as the ultimate self-promoter looking to cash in on himself, not necessarily help the country. It’s like having a Don King/Geraldo Rivera type sensationalist run for president. If we’re not careful, we’ll just exchange one empty suit for another one.

Unfortunately, the picture is still a little unclear on who’s going to rise to the top and generate the needed coalition of GOP, Tea Party, independents, etc. to defeat Obama.

If West would run, he’d be at the top of my list right now.
NC says:

April 20, 2011 at 9:11 am

Has anyone considered that the polls may be stacked? I don’t even trust any polls anymore. Go with your own conscience and gut. Conservatives must continue to fight to get the message out, but it is the “right” message and hopefully more and more will recognize it.
Tango says:

April 20, 2011 at 8:24 pm

….make no mistake about it – one con artist can always spot another. Trump sees Barry as having pulled off perhaps the biggest scam in American electoral politics and believes he can out-do him.
Liz Tutton says:

April 21, 2011 at 12:59 am

Honestly, I cannot see Trump as president, but it sure is fun to see him tell it like it is with Gusto! I feel like we are fighting fire with fire!
Arnie Behnke says:

April 21, 2011 at 2:53 pm

Hell-Yeah!
Great White Rat says:

April 21, 2011 at 2:55 pm

I tend to agree with Phineas. It’s all name recognition.

In addition, the average Republican voter is hungry for a candidate to hammer Obama. That voter remembers that the 2008 McCain campaign refrained from even mild criticism of Obama. He doesn’t want that blunder repeated.

Any other prominent potential conservative Republican candidate so far has been trashed at length by the MSM drones. All their negatives, real or imaginary, have been highlighted.

So that voter, when polled, sees something favorable in Trump, and no good alternative at the moment.

Not too worry…Trump’s poll numbers will decline as other, more serious candidates declare later this year. But those candidates would be well advised to adopt Trump’s aggressive approach to the campaign.

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