Even though Congress passed a $40 billion reduction in spending for 2011, discord remains. The stakes are high and the acrimony harsh between the political parties, over how the US government taxes citizens and spends beyond fiscal 2011 and into the intermediate future, as the country works out of its acute deficit squeeze.
Donald Trump Says He Is the Answer to Wimpy Politics
In mid-April of 2011, as the rancorous debate floundered aimlessly and appeared to have no agreement in the offing, a curious and impulsive mood seems to be sweeping the country. Voters are accepting new faces and political tyros who are answering the call. One of them is Donald J. Trump – aka "The Donald" – who has reappeared in the media polls as a potential candidate for President.
However, maybe it just seems that he’s new on the scene. Although he claims he’s never seriously considered a run before, according to Foolocracy.com he thought about entering the race on the Reform Party ticket in 2000. Then In 2004 and 2008, he considered running as a Republican. But Foolocracy.com admits he seems more interested this time around.
Donald Trump Knows How to Market His Brand
Regardless of brigbats hurled at the flamboyant Trump, no one disputes that he knows how to sell his own brand. Images of bold "T"s emblazoned on products burn on the viewer's memory like the smoking hide of a steer, embossed with a "Circle K" brand as the smoking hot iron is pulled away.
There are Trump hotels, resorts, books, golf courses, TV productions, educational services, clothes, chocolate candies, jewelry, tea and more. Trumpdom is a gauzy empire of fancy real estate, bangles and beads. (Was the Ford T-bird Really Trump's idea?)
His Politics Are a Many-splendored Thing
Adroitly, he has conjured up his image as a tough, no-nonsense captain of industry, through his magisterial rulings as the quintessential employer on the Apprentice TV survival series, which premiered in 2004. In addition, his feuding gigs on talk shows intensifies the image.
In his present political life, he is a Republican; but he has been a registered Democrat and an Independent. (Some wags suggest he has even toyed with the idea of becoming a Monarchist.)
In a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released April 12, 2011, Donald Trump tied with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the favorite among Republicans to win the party’s nomination for the 2012 Presidential race. Preferential ratings were:
- Donald Trump, businessman extraordinaire, 19%
- Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor, 19%
- Sarah Palin, former Alaska Governor, 12%
- Mitch Romney, former Massachusetts governor, 11%
- Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, 11%
- Ron Paul, Congressman of Texas, 7%
- Michelle Bachman, Congresswoman of Minnesota, 5%
- Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi, 1%
Karl Rove Explains Trump's Political Appeal
How do political analysts explain the surprising rise in early 2012 Presidential polls of this businessman who can be strident as a marine drill instructor, crafty as Gordon Gecko and demanding as Jillian Michaels?
"They've seen him on television, they see him as brash, outspoken, declarative, in charge, he makes decisions," Carl Rove, former White House insider and current Fox News contributor, explains.
Rove's idea makes sense, considering the White House and the Congress are haranguing each other about the makeup of the federal budget as though they had the entire millennium. The government of the most powerful nation on earth could grind to a halt, if they are not successful soon.
The Public Seems Starved for Decisiveness As Though They Want a Boss
Many see Donald Trump as the answer to clearing out the logjam in Washington DC, although not winning a Beltway popularity contest in doing so. They picture him as the tough "you’re fired" executive from his television programs. In addition, advocates dare to hope his Wharton School MBA will enable him to build a business model that has the US deficit back in the black again soon.
Those who doubt the controversial businessman’s candidacy argue it’s highly unlikely he would enter such a demanding campaign, when he seems totally committed to making expansive new deals happen. Although his two sons and daughter are working in his company as developers, he does not seem like a person who leaves major decisions to others.
How Can One with So Many Deals Settle Down to One Job?
In 1997 he wrote a book with Tony Schwartz entitled, The Art of the Deal, and his preoccupation with the subject of the book seems a dominating one. Also, his financial affairs have experienced strains in the past, leading to two bankruptcies among other issues, and voters might be wary of electing him to a position with the squeaky-clean demands of the Presidency
In analyzing his penchant for popping up with some regularity as a candidate, it is important to remember his pride is creating deals. As a patriot and one who professes Americans need his guidance at this time, it is not far-fetched that he considers that achieving the highest office in the land would be the grandest deal of his life.
He is flamboyant publically, with a conservative political streak that is close to an ideology. For example, he says US foreign policy should be putting America first. That’s clear enough, but will it play in China?.
Is the Billion-dollar Frown Laughing on the Inside?
Although considered by some opinionated, arrogant and outrageous, to others he is audacious, imaginative and crafty. He is just being "The Donald."
He seems to enjoy the give-and-take of political debate, almost as much as making fabulous deals. As far as his jousting to become President, he might be laughing on the inside at the consternation he creates at the possibility that he will be successful. With that sly grin, is he thinking what to rename the White House - maybe the Trump Spa and Conference Center?
Howard Bryan Bonham - Howard Bryan Bonham is a former daily newspaper editor and award-winning financial writer.
