Understanding Donald Trump

[Weatherman2020]

I have heaped my share of criticisms on Donald Trump and am still not sure he would be the strongest candidate to run in the general election. However, I am starting to understand why such a wide range of people are supporting him--from secular conservatives and moderates (such as Jesse Ventura, Carl Icahn, Gary Buse) to staunch religious conservatives (such as Sarah Palin, Phyllis Schlafly, Jerry Falwell Jr., and Robert Jeffress)--and why even people like Bob Dole have said that although they are supporting someone else they would gladly back Trump if he gets the nomination because they think he's an intelligent, effective leader who would make a good president.

Most of these people grasp the one key, central, overriding fact about Donald Trump: He is an American first and foremost and a Republican a distant second, and he judges every policy by whether or not it would be best for America, regardless of how some other people or nations might feel about it.

Trump's economic plan is clearly center-right and would be a huge step forward from where we are now. However, overall he is not the most conservative GOP candidate. In fact, were it not for his positions on immigration and internal security, he would be widely regarded as the least conservative GOP candidate and perhaps even as something of a moderate with conservative leanings on some issues. Overall, he is a conservative, but he is not as conservative as Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, or Marco Rubio, among others.

The key difference with Trump, aside from his centrist and even liberal views on a few issues, and what makes him so appealing to so many people, is that he is a genuine patriot who puts loyalty to country far above loyalty to any political party and who has no qualms about criticizing Republican policies and leaders when he disagrees with them, including the Iraq War, George W, Bush, etc., etc.

What has Trump done in his life to show you he is a Patriot? I'm not asking for his rhetoric, I want to know what actions.

 

[Cecilie1200]

I have heaped my share of criticisms on Donald Trump and am still not sure he would be the strongest candidate to run in the general election. However, I am starting to understand why such a wide range of people are supporting him--from secular conservatives and moderates (such as Jesse Ventura, Carl Icahn, Gary Buse) to staunch religious conservatives (such as Sarah Palin, Phyllis Schlafly, Jerry Falwell Jr., and Robert Jeffress)--and why even people like Bob Dole have said that although they are supporting someone else they would gladly back Trump if he gets the nomination because they think he's an intelligent, effective leader who would make a good president.

Most of these people grasp the one key, central, overriding fact about Donald Trump: He is an American first and foremost and a Republican a distant second, and he judges every policy by whether or not it would be best for America, regardless of how some other people or nations might feel about it.

Trump's economic plan is clearly center-right and would be a huge step forward from where we are now. However, overall he is not the most conservative GOP candidate. In fact, were it not for his positions on immigration and internal security, he would be widely regarded as the least conservative GOP candidate and perhaps even as something of a moderate with conservative leanings on some issues. Overall, he is a conservative, but he is not as conservative as Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, or Marco Rubio, among others.

The key difference with Trump, aside from his centrist and even liberal views on a few issues, and what makes him so appealing to so many people, is that he is a genuine patriot who puts loyalty to country far above loyalty to any political party and who has no qualms about criticizing Republican policies and leaders when he disagrees with them, including the Iraq War, George W, Bush, etc., etc.

But then why has he flip flopped on issues that adults should have firm views on?
6 of Donald Trump’s biggest campaign-trail flip-flops

Because he's a self-absorbed me-monkey snake-oil salesman who doesn't care about anything that doesn't directly affect him, and therefore says whatever people want to hear. Or, better yet, says nothing much at all, and lets people project what they want to hear onto it.

 

[bendog]

I have heaped my share of criticisms on Donald Trump and am still not sure he would be the strongest candidate to run in the general election. However, I am starting to understand why such a wide range of people are supporting him--from secular conservatives and moderates (such as Jesse Ventura, Carl Icahn, Gary Buse) to staunch religious conservatives (such as Sarah Palin, Phyllis Schlafly, Jerry Falwell Jr., and Robert Jeffress)--and why even people like Bob Dole have said that although they are supporting someone else they would gladly back Trump if he gets the nomination because they think he's an intelligent, effective leader who would make a good president.

Most of these people grasp the one key, central, overriding fact about Donald Trump: He is an American first and foremost and a Republican a distant second, and he judges every policy by whether or not it would be best for America, regardless of how some other people or nations might feel about it.

Trump's economic plan is clearly center-right and would be a huge step forward from where we are now. However, overall he is not the most conservative GOP candidate. In fact, were it not for his positions on immigration and internal security, he would be widely regarded as the least conservative GOP candidate and perhaps even as something of a moderate with conservative leanings on some issues. Overall, he is a conservative, but he is not as conservative as Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, or Marco Rubio, among others.

The key difference with Trump, aside from his centrist and even liberal views on a few issues, and what makes him so appealing to so many people, is that he is a genuine patriot who puts loyalty to country far above loyalty to any political party and who has no qualms about criticizing Republican policies and leaders when he disagrees with them, including the Iraq War, George W, Bush, etc., etc.

But then why has he flip flopped on issues that adults should have firm views on?
6 of Donald Trump’s biggest campaign-trail flip-flops

Because he's a self-absorbed me-monkey snake-oil salesman who doesn't care about anything that doesn't directly affect him, and therefore says whatever people want to hear. Or, better yet, says nothing much at all, and lets people project what they want to hear onto it.

Yes, he's more a self-promoting huckster than patriotic American. And even the candidates who I dislike I cannot say that about. Though I think Christie has made policy decisions hurting NJ simply because he saw them as politically expedient to his career .... and being such a jerk has come back to bite him on the butt. But Cruz and Rubio and Saunders, with whom I really disagree, are more or less principled on issues, as are even Jeb and Hillary although they have probably been at it too long.

 

[Cecilie1200]

I have heaped my share of criticisms on Donald Trump and am still not sure he would be the strongest candidate to run in the general election. However, I am starting to understand why such a wide range of people are supporting him--from secular conservatives and moderates (such as Jesse Ventura, Carl Icahn, Gary Buse) to staunch religious conservatives (such as Sarah Palin, Phyllis Schlafly, Jerry Falwell Jr., and Robert Jeffress)--and why even people like Bob Dole have said that although they are supporting someone else they would gladly back Trump if he gets the nomination because they think he's an intelligent, effective leader who would make a good president.

Most of these people grasp the one key, central, overriding fact about Donald Trump: He is an American first and foremost and a Republican a distant second, and he judges every policy by whether or not it would be best for America, regardless of how some other people or nations might feel about it.

Trump's economic plan is clearly center-right and would be a huge step forward from where we are now. However, overall he is not the most conservative GOP candidate. In fact, were it not for his positions on immigration and internal security, he would be widely regarded as the least conservative GOP candidate and perhaps even as something of a moderate with conservative leanings on some issues. Overall, he is a conservative, but he is not as conservative as Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, or Marco Rubio, among others.

The key difference with Trump, aside from his centrist and even liberal views on a few issues, and what makes him so appealing to so many people, is that he is a genuine patriot who puts loyalty to country far above loyalty to any political party and who has no qualms about criticizing Republican policies and leaders when he disagrees with them, including the Iraq War, George W, Bush, etc., etc.

But then why has he flip flopped on issues that adults should have firm views on?
6 of Donald Trump’s biggest campaign-trail flip-flops

Because he's a self-absorbed me-monkey snake-oil salesman who doesn't care about anything that doesn't directly affect him, and therefore says whatever people want to hear. Or, better yet, says nothing much at all, and lets people project what they want to hear onto it.

Yes, he's more a self-promoting huckster than patriotic American. And even the candidates who I dislike I cannot say that about. Though I think Christie has made policy decisions hurting NJ simply because he saw them as politically expedient to his career .... and being such a jerk has come back to bite him on the butt. But Cruz and Rubio and Saunders, with whom I really disagree, are more or less principled on issues, as are even Jeb and Hillary although they have probably been at it too long.

I don't know that I consider Hillary principled. I think she's every bit as self-absorbed and narcissistic as Donald Trump, and she'd LIKE to be a huckster, but she just has no personality or charm.

I think Christie would have liked to be more conservative than he is, but being from and running for office in New Jersey is an enormous impediment to that.

 

[TyroneSlothrop]

“the sense of heated exaggeration, suspiciousness, and conspiratorial fantasy”
Victims if Liberals .....

 

[beagle9]

“the sense of heated exaggeration, suspiciousness, and conspiratorial fantasy”
Victims if Liberals .....

Now be fair and apply your talents equally to the dems or libs... I thought not...

 

[NYcarbineer]

Trump is the consummate panderer, with enough celebrity and showmanship to pull that off.

 

[NYcarbineer]

Is American business, of the multi-national variety, supporting Trump's plans for massive tariffs on Chinese imports?

 

[bendog]

Is American business, of the multi-national variety, supporting Trump's plans for massive tariffs on Chinese imports?

He's as likely to do that as he is to get Mexico to pay for a wall or for me to run a six minute mile again. LOL

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

"Understanding Donald Trump"

Trump is perfectly and accurately understood by everyone but his supporters.

 

[Mac1958]

...what makes him so appealing to so many people, is that he is a genuine patriot who puts loyalty to country far above loyalty to any political party...

I think the guy is an old-fashioned huckster who will say absolutely whatever it takes to make the sale at that particular moment, and whose sole loyalties are to his ego and his status.

I just don't see the attraction to this non-stop "you're gonna love it" and "this is gonna be so great" parade of platitudes that appears to be passing for depth, judgement and perspective.
.

 

[Cecilie1200]

"Understanding Donald Trump"

Trump is perfectly and accurately understood by everyone but his supporters.

I can't believe I actually agree with you about something. I feel like I need a shower.

 

[Preacher]

I have heaped my share of criticisms on Donald Trump and am still not sure he would be the strongest candidate to run in the general election. However, I am starting to understand why such a wide range of people are supporting him--from secular conservatives and moderates (such as Jesse Ventura, Carl Icahn, Gary Buse) to staunch religious conservatives (such as Sarah Palin, Phyllis Schlafly, Jerry Falwell Jr., and Robert Jeffress)--and why even people like Bob Dole have said that although they are supporting someone else they would gladly back Trump if he gets the nomination because they think he's an intelligent, effective leader who would make a good president.

Most of these people grasp the one key, central, overriding fact about Donald Trump: He is an American first and foremost and a Republican a distant second, and he judges every policy by whether or not it would be best for America, regardless of how some other people or nations might feel about it.

Trump's economic plan is clearly center-right and would be a huge step forward from where we are now. However, overall he is not the most conservative GOP candidate. In fact, were it not for his positions on immigration and internal security, he would be widely regarded as the least conservative GOP candidate and perhaps even as something of a moderate with conservative leanings on some issues. Overall, he is a conservative, but he is not as conservative as Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, or Marco Rubio, among others.

The key difference with Trump, aside from his centrist and even liberal views on a few issues, and what makes him so appealing to so many people, is that he is a genuine patriot who puts loyalty to country far above loyalty to any political party and who has no qualms about criticizing Republican policies and leaders when he disagrees with them, including the Iraq War, George W, Bush, etc., etc.

Trump's a douche.

I hope that helps.

Who you gonna vote for if Trump is the nominee?

 

[beagle9]

We need a candidate that isn't ashamed of Americans, and who will quit selling this nation out for personal gains for either him/her or his/her and their cronies to become filthy rich while millions perish and suffer as a result of it all...

 

[beagle9]

In this nation we have somehow formed a huge gap between the rich and the blue collar working people in this nation. The disrespect for workers who are Americans has almost destroyed this nations families and stability as a fully secured and strong nation.

 

[beagle9]

Putting the working class in the struggle of their lives, and setting this nation up to be anti-family, anti-American, anti-religious, anti-everything in respect to the ones who built this nation, and what it had believed in, was a mistake that will haunt this nation from here on out.