It is really the Republican establishment that has “Trump mania,” as in fearfulness. What they understand is money, and he has a lot of it, and is therefore uncontrollable and that makes them maniacal.
Trump’s compelling message is about protecting America and making it great again.
In reality Trump support is more about issues than Republican establishment wants to admit. Indicated support for Trump sends a message, it serves as an outlet for giving notice of the visceral disgust with Republican “elites.” That is why his numbers went up after the Fox News forum even though he refused to pledge support for just any Republican nominee or unless (by his own determination) he is treated “fairly”. If it has not dawned on the Republican establishment as yet, that 15 – 20% or so Trump is getting support from is not going to vote for just any Republican either or respond positively to any perception that their issues are being swept aside and not “fairly” being pursued.
They are not going to turn out for a candidate who is perceived as not being a change candidate. No more business as usual. They are not going to turn out if they feel the nominations process was rigged, which for example was the initial cause of problems in Iowa in 2012. In Scott County, Iowa’s third largest, the elites rigged the game against Paul supporters which aggravated a winner take all attitude later. The head of the Iowa Republican Party was also perceived as rigging the momentum by calling the election for Romney when it was too close to call and Santorum had won.
The Republican establishment has insisted on losers as nominees and have no room to predict “electability.” The Republican elite picks of late have been or very near campaign disasters: Ford, the Bush I reelection, Dole, GW Bush 2000 campaign, McCain, Romney. The attitude from the elites, so palpable, toward the unwashed: “where are ‘they” going to go” will not be tolerated by a growing percentage of Republicans or Republican leaning independents. The attitude we detect is “no more’.
Trump support could be very fluid. We estimate it is. The lessons the Republican establishment should take, no let us start over, as they are hopeless, the lesson Republican rivals to Trump should take is the necessity to adopt his aggressive assertive approach to get the job done. Some candidates already were (Cruz) or can be seen to be adapting two or three others. Most of the rest have found their assertive tongue only to condemn Trump rather than articulate a convincing plan to stop the invasion of the country, the assault on the Constitution, and the ongoing hemorrhaging of our finances .
The elites can continue to refer to the Trump support as churlish and immature etc etc. and all it will do is to sustain Trump and cement the Republican establishment as the leadership of a political party that is part of the problem. Trump sentiment is made up of people who realize the clear and present danger the country is in and that business as usual “crony politics” cannot continue. Trump’s success at this point is not about money. His numbers have risen on “earned media” however disdainful of it many are. He will fade when other candidates righteously adopt and aggressively articulate the themes he is making mincemeat of them with.
Here is Victor Davis Hanson’s take on the Trump political situation. It is not flattering towards Trump but his article does indicate he understands aspects to Trump’s success.
The Trump Catharsis Recommended.
R Mall
