Trump: Windbag, Exciting, and potential third-party candidate?
Bill Loguidice wrote:
It's interesting you mention Perot, clok. That was the first Presidential election I can recall REALLY paying attention to. If Perot had chosen a better VP candidate AND didn't go off the deep end with the conspiracy stuff (all "the government is trying to kill me" talk), he would have had a REAL shot given how well he did even AFTER all that. What's particularly sad about that was that that was the last real chance a third party candidate had, and he blew it by being kooky.
Interestingly, when all this talk about Trump considering a Republican contender came up, I was thinking "he'd make a better Perot-style Independent candidate than a Republican candidate."
I obviously can't say for certain what he's thinking, but I, for one, think he's serious! I don't think it's a publicity stunt. I think he really believes he's a true contender.
There are many problems with his candidacy from a Republican perspective, though.
One: he doesn't have a Republican political track record, either policy-wise or party-support-wise. I admit I haven't followed it too closely, but most accounts of his past political statements and support seems to skew more Democrat than Republican. His true "Republican" credentials are questionable.
Two: he's a "loudmouth." I think we, as Americans, like the bold, tell-it-like-it-is, take-on-the-man "straight talk." Most politicians speak through a political filter, but Trump clearly doesn't; he says what he means, with no pulled punches. Unfortunately, as demonstrated by the "Charlie Sheen" phenomena, while people are first enthralled with this style, it soon wears thin when the wrong stuff comes out, or the act wears thin. Yeah, I'm comparing "Donald Trump" to "Charlie Sheen."
Three: He's had a controversial past, as has been pointed out here. Shady business deals is one major one. He's recently bragged about screwing over Libyan leader Qaddafi in a business deal. I don't care if it is a hated international figure, you don't brag about screwing someone over in a business deal!
I could go on (of course), but I just think he's getting a popular boost because he's a celebrity who's taking it to Obama in a way that other politicians cannot, and Obama opponents are enjoying that. But, I don't believe he really speaks for Republicans in general terms, and that will catch up with him. Plus, he's bound to say something really, really stupid eventually, that will totally disqualify him from the Republican candidacy....... I really don't think most Repubs take him that seriously.
By the way, turning this back to a videogame discussion, I happened to purchase this game a few years ago:
It didn't seem bad, but I didn't get into it much. It's one of those games I've meant to play, but never get around to it.Donald Trump's Real Estate Tycoon!
Interestingly, when all this talk about Trump considering a Republican contender came up, I was thinking "he'd make a better Perot-style Independent candidate than a Republican candidate."
I obviously can't say for certain what he's thinking, but I, for one, think he's serious! I don't think it's a publicity stunt. I think he really believes he's a true contender.
There are many problems with his candidacy from a Republican perspective, though.
One: he doesn't have a Republican political track record, either policy-wise or party-support-wise. I admit I haven't followed it too closely, but most accounts of his past political statements and support seems to skew more Democrat than Republican. His true "Republican" credentials are questionable.
Two: he's a "loudmouth." I think we, as Americans, like the bold, tell-it-like-it-is, take-on-the-man "straight talk." Most politicians speak through a political filter, but Trump clearly doesn't; he says what he means, with no pulled punches. Unfortunately, as demonstrated by the "Charlie Sheen" phenomena, while people are first enthralled with this style, it soon wears thin when the wrong stuff comes out, or the act wears thin. Yeah, I'm comparing "Donald Trump" to "Charlie Sheen."
Three: He's had a controversial past, as has been pointed out here. Shady business deals is one major one. He's recently bragged about screwing over Libyan leader Qaddafi in a business deal. I don't care if it is a hated international figure, you don't brag about screwing someone over in a business deal!
I could go on (of course), but I just think he's getting a popular boost because he's a celebrity who's taking it to Obama in a way that other politicians cannot, and Obama opponents are enjoying that. But, I don't believe he really speaks for Republicans in general terms, and that will catch up with him. Plus, he's bound to say something really, really stupid eventually, that will totally disqualify him from the Republican candidacy....... I really don't think most Repubs take him that seriously.
By the way, turning this back to a videogame discussion, I happened to purchase this game a few years ago:
It didn't seem bad, but I didn't get into it much. It's one of those games I've meant to play, but never get around to it.
Donald Trump's Real Estate Tycoon!