Bernie Sanders, an avowed Socialist candidate for president, has the support of a growing number of Democrats, suggesting that many Democrats believe in Socialism. This is, or should be, an unsettling prospect, yet the liberal media’s fixation is naturally on the popularity of the Republican wild card, Donald Trump.
Granted, this is somewhat understandable. Although Trump’s current positions aren’t radically different from others in the Republican field, Trump is the quintessential product of the “Reality TV” age in which we live. He is a braggart and brilliant self-promoter, which makes him fodder for the media — even conservative pundits enjoy watching his circus act — so his voice rises above the din.
As for his popularity with voters, the Republican base is angry, both at the imperial Obama presidency, and at the supine Republican Congress, and Trump has become the voice for that concern, leading the charge against the horrible Iranian nuclear weapons deal, decrying the resurgence of a revanchist Russia, highlighting the huge budget deficit and stagnant economy, and repeatedly pointing to our inability to stem the flow of illegal aliens pouring into our country.
But will his popularity last? Trump has several problems that haven’t yet come to haunt him, but are about to. First, while his current positions are red-meat conservative, his past positions include being pro-choice, favoring universal health care, and supporting both Hillary Clinton and the presidency of hubby Bill. The man used to be somewhat liberal, and once that is better known — and it will be — explaining his past will be problematic.
Second, rather than just highlighting the problems, he is entering that period where he will have to offer solutions. How will he balance the budget and create jobs? How will he contain Vladimir Putin and Russia (negotiating with Putin is decidedly different from negotiating with unions over construction contracts)? How will he stem the flow of illegals?
In last night’s debate he was the same Trump, divisive and confrontational, even threatening to run as an independent if he doesn’t get the Republican nomination. Since thoughtfully debating the issues and offering realistic solutions to our problems doesn’t play to his strengths, this is all he has.
But bombast and braggadocio can only take you so far, which is why I believe the Trump Circus will eventually fold its tent. (An independent run? We’ll see.) At which point, if they are smart, those leading Republican candidates who emerge in Trump’s wake will try to figure out how to give a more sober voice to the concerns of Trump’s many supporters. Trump may be a clown, but his popularity proves he has touched a nerve, and whoever gains the loyalty of his followers has a real shot at becoming the next president.
