- May 24, 2015 -
Taking Trump Seriously
As of right now, the media and political elites consider him a joke (or at least they pretend to). On the other hand, you’ve got actual people, who show enormous enthusiasm for him everywhere he goes. This enthusiasm manifests in spontaneous and prolonged standing ovations during his speeches. The fact is that Donald Trump could be a game changer in presidential politics. He’s hired staff in Iowa and New Hampshire. He’s serious.
Yes, there is the hyperbole for which Trump is known. There is, however, no reason to assume that his admittedly gigantic self-confidence is misplaced or otherwise spurious. What one man calls exaggeration, I may choose to regard as idealism, and an idealistic agenda can become reality.
The criticisms leveled at Trump are either superficial (the hair, the mannerisms) or unwarranted. Rebecca Berg claims that his rhetoric is “light on policy details.” Firstly, the extent to which he has, or has not, elucidated detailed policies is appropriate for this point in the campaign. He hasn’t even announced whether or not he is running (though he promises to make an announcement in June). Secondly, the vision which he has described thus far seems more tangible and fresh than anything other Republican candidates have themselves expressed. This is especially true vis-à-vis trade policy. Compare that to Republicans who purport to offer new ideas, but who in fact are new faces with very familiar and worn ideas and slogans.
Whatever the Donald decides to do, that will remain a sobering assessment of some of the major players in the Republican primary. Taken together with his evaluation of the causes of Romney’s loss, along with his prophetic dooming of Romney’s third bid, it would seem that Trump finds himself in the ironic position of a billionaire speaking truth to power. In fact, I suspect that it’s too much truth for the liking of some.
