Republican Presidential Candidates Can Learn A Lot From Trump

Republican Presidential Candidates Can Learn A Lot From Trump

Donald Trump may not have a realistic shot at becoming president, but his Republican opponents could learn a thing or 2 from his candor and message of “nationalism … (and) the willingness to embrace Middle America,” Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol said Monday in an interfiew.

Mr. Kristol said he would not be surprised if Trump wins the 1st debate.

In the current issue of The Weekly Standard, Mr. Kristol devotes his column to Trump’s candidacy, pointing out what “Trump understands that Americans aspire to greatness, and Mr. Trump understands that Americans like winning.”

“Trump is aware the public believes international politics is more Zero-sum than globalist elites like to think,” said Mr. Kristol, who quotes the billionaire real estate developer who said “our enemies are getting stronger and stronger, by the way, and we as a country are getting weaker.”

Donald Trump, Mr. Kristol points out, “is pro-tough trade negotiations, he’s pro-China-bashing, and he’s pro-military.”

“I will find within our military,” he promised voters. “I will find the General Patton or I will find General MacArthur, I will find the right guy. I will find the guy that’s going to take that military and make it really work. Nobody, nobody will be pushing us around.”

Mr. Trump also understands that Barack Obamacare “must be repealed and replaced. It’s not clear most of the rest of the field does,” Mr. Kristol opined.

Mr. Trump is well aware that he is at a “major disadvantage” having never been elected to office, so instead he puts politicians in his “crosshairs.”

“I’ve watched the politicians. I have dealt with them all my life,” he said. “If you cannot make a good deal with a politician, then there is something wrong with you. You’re certainly not very good. And that’s what we have representing us. They will never make America great again.”

Mr. Trump, according to Mr. Kristol, “understands that Americans have deep doubts about the competence and probity of our political class. It is not clear most of the rest of the field does.”

He also understands that Republican primary voters do not want a candidate afraid to take on Barack Hussein Obama and his bad decisions, including the swap of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who has been charged with desertion, for “5 killer terrorists.”

“We get a traitor, a no-good traitor, and they get the 5 people that they wanted for years, and those people are now back on the battlefield trying to kill us.”

“Trump understands that it’s OK to say something the media elite will shake their collective head at. It is not clear most of the rest of the field does,” Mr. Kristol writes.

Recall that in Y 1992, when “oddball and egomaniac” Ross Perot ran for president as an independent, his candidacy was mocked by President George H.W. Bush, something that may have cost him re-election.

The outcome may have been different had Mr. Bush adopted the attitude that there are things to be learned from smart oddballs and eccentric egomaniacs who have a feel for public opinion.

Like Mr. Perot, primary voters who cast their ballots for Mr. Trump will be up for grabs in the general election.

Stay tuned…

HeffX-LTN

Paul Ebeling