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By this point, it is clear that Donald Trump has shaken things up in American politics. Back in June of 2015, when Trump first announced his candidacy, Republicans and Democrats alike wrote him off as a loud-mouthed billionaire celebrity with no serious chance of being the Republican nominee, much less the President of the United States. Days after Trump officially announced his campaign, the New York Post released an article titled “Clown Runs For Prez! Trump throws rubber nose in Republican ring.” The article blasted Trump for his “bizarre, ad-libbed circus speech” and supported the then popular opinion that the Trump campaign would be short-lived. Yet Trump’s rhetoric and his desire to remain politically incorrect have somehow allowed him to prevail. According to an April 13th Huffington Post poll, Trump holds 44% of the support in the Republican primary. However, according to a different April 13th poll, Trump would not defeat Hillary Clinton in a general election, as he would garner only 39% of nationwide support when facing her in the general election. Although he may have electrified crowds of voters with his controversial rhetoric and macho persona, after nine months of hearing his improbable proposals and non-substantive speeches, the American people are beginning to doubt Trump’s ability to effectively lead the United States. And his provocative bombast may be further undermining the strength of his original campaign.
There are important steps that Trump needs to take if he is to have any chance at the White House..
First, Donald Trump needs to get control of his tongue. His bombastic rhetoric may have provided the fuel for the fire in the beginning, but his increasingly foolish comments are beginning to cost him support. Trump has sacrificed his personal dignity in his efforts to bash his enemies and opponents. For example, Trump’s escalating feud with Megyn Kelly of Fox News, originally stemming from the “tough” questions Kelly asked Trump at the first Republican Debate, is an example of the unnecessary belligerence that ultimately may cost Trump votes. Trump took aim at Kelly days after the debate, making reference to her menstrual cycle as the reason for her challenging questions. Kelly’s popular show has taken an increasingly anti-Trump stance since the two became enemies, possibly influencing the voting sentiments of many of her show's’ viewers. Similarly, Trump’s recent inappropriate comments about Ted Cruz’s wife, which criticized her supposed lack of physical attractiveness when compared to Trump’s own wife, is yet another ego-driven, unnecessary display of hostility that could be costing The Donald support. He later suggested that a women should be punished in some unspecified fashion if she has an abortion, further alienating many women. Only 21% of women view Trump favorably, according to the same series Huffington Post polls. Trump’s popularity has no doubt been fueled by his willingness to speak his mind about sensitive political issues and to say what many politicians are afraid to say. And he can continue to attract additional voters by doing so. However, if he is unable or unwilling to temper his outrageous and offensive comments, he may likely erode the foundation of his support faster than he can rebuild it. .
Second, rather than focus his speeches around the failures of his adversaries, Trump needs to begin to fill his speeches with coherent and substantive plans for the reforms he desires. Although he has many supporters who agree with many of his strongly held viewpoints on American trade deals, immigration reform, etc., they are yearning to hear some details on Trump’s plans. At this point, Trump’s ideas are simply ideas. They need to be transformed into a coherent plan of action. HOW will Trump be able to force Mexico into paying for the enormous border wall? WHO will be responsible for the numerous negotiations that Trump claims U.S. leaders cannot handle themselves? WHAT are the details of Trump’s plan to bring jobs back to America? HOW will he reform the tax code? These questions need to be answered soon. His supporters are beginning to doubt he has the knowledge or capability to do what he claims, and he must provide the details to demonstrate that he can..
Finally, if Trump can accomplish the above, he may convince his party that he can defeat the Democratic nominee, whoever she may be, in the general election. It is likely that a contested convention will decide the Republican nominee in July. If he has not gained his party’s support by then, Trump will face a serious problem; unpledged delegates could very well hand the nomination to another Republican candidate. Although Trump claims that he can defeat the Democratic nominee once voters swing their support in his direction as other candidates drop out, the Republican Party currently does not believe him. For them, Donald Trump as the Republican nominee would ensure a Democratic presidential victory, and so the delegates will elect another candidate more likely to defeat Clinton..
This election race is not the same as it was nine months ago. Although Trump’s fiery speeches and idealistic propositions have allowed him to rise to the top of the Republican primary, these tools alone are not enough to win the presidency. Donald’s defeat is increasingly imminent unless he can change in a way that allows him to hold on to his current voter base while attracting new voters. If not, his campaign will self-destruct and his steamrolling will have paved the way for someone else to become the Republican Presidential nominee..
By this point, it is clear that Donald Trump has shaken things up in American politics. Back in June of 2015, when Trump first announced his candidacy, Republicans and Democrats alike wrote him off as a loud-mouthed billionaire celebrity with no serious chance of being the Republican nominee, much less the President of the United States. Days after Trump officially announced his campaign, the New York Post released an article titled “Clown Runs For Prez! Trump throws rubber nose in Republican ring.” The article blasted Trump for his “bizarre, ad-libbed circus speech” and supported the then popular opinion that the Trump campaign would be short-lived. Yet Trump’s rhetoric and his desire to remain politically incorrect have somehow allowed him to prevail. According to an April 13th Huffington Post poll, Trump holds 44% of the support in the Republican primary. However, according to a different April 13th poll, Trump would not defeat Hillary Clinton in a general election, as he would garner only 39% of nationwide support when facing her in the general election. Although he may have electrified crowds of voters with his controversial rhetoric and macho persona, after nine months of hearing his improbable proposals and non-substantive speeches, the American people are beginning to doubt Trump’s ability to effectively lead the United States. And his provocative bombast may be further undermining the strength of his original campaign.
There are important steps that Trump needs to take if he is to have any chance at the White House..
First, Donald Trump needs to get control of his tongue. His bombastic rhetoric may have provided the fuel for the fire in the beginning, but his increasingly foolish comments are beginning to cost him support. Trump has sacrificed his personal dignity in his efforts to bash his enemies and opponents. For example, Trump’s escalating feud with Megyn Kelly of Fox News, originally stemming from the “tough” questions Kelly asked Trump at the first Republican Debate, is an example of the unnecessary belligerence that ultimately may cost Trump votes. Trump took aim at Kelly days after the debate, making reference to her menstrual cycle as the reason for her challenging questions. Kelly’s popular show has taken an increasingly anti-Trump stance since the two became enemies, possibly influencing the voting sentiments of many of her show's’ viewers. Similarly, Trump’s recent inappropriate comments about Ted Cruz’s wife, which criticized her supposed lack of physical attractiveness when compared to Trump’s own wife, is yet another ego-driven, unnecessary display of hostility that could be costing The Donald support. He later suggested that a women should be punished in some unspecified fashion if she has an abortion, further alienating many women. Only 21% of women view Trump favorably, according to the same series Huffington Post polls. Trump’s popularity has no doubt been fueled by his willingness to speak his mind about sensitive political issues and to say what many politicians are afraid to say. And he can continue to attract additional voters by doing so. However, if he is unable or unwilling to temper his outrageous and offensive comments, he may likely erode the foundation of his support faster than he can rebuild it. .
Second, rather than focus his speeches around the failures of his adversaries, Trump needs to begin to fill his speeches with coherent and substantive plans for the reforms he desires. Although he has many supporters who agree with many of his strongly held viewpoints on American trade deals, immigration reform, etc., they are yearning to hear some details on Trump’s plans. At this point, Trump’s ideas are simply ideas. They need to be transformed into a coherent plan of action. HOW will Trump be able to force Mexico into paying for the enormous border wall? WHO will be responsible for the numerous negotiations that Trump claims U.S. leaders cannot handle themselves? WHAT are the details of Trump’s plan to bring jobs back to America? HOW will he reform the tax code? These questions need to be answered soon. His supporters are beginning to doubt he has the knowledge or capability to do what he claims, and he must provide the details to demonstrate that he can..
Finally, if Trump can accomplish the above, he may convince his party that he can defeat the Democratic nominee, whoever she may be, in the general election. It is likely that a contested convention will decide the Republican nominee in July. If he has not gained his party’s support by then, Trump will face a serious problem; unpledged delegates could very well hand the nomination to another Republican candidate. Although Trump claims that he can defeat the Democratic nominee once voters swing their support in his direction as other candidates drop out, the Republican Party currently does not believe him. For them, Donald Trump as the Republican nominee would ensure a Democratic presidential victory, and so the delegates will elect another candidate more likely to defeat Clinton..
This election race is not the same as it was nine months ago. Although Trump’s fiery speeches and idealistic propositions have allowed him to rise to the top of the Republican primary, these tools alone are not enough to win the presidency. Donald’s defeat is increasingly imminent unless he can change in a way that allows him to hold on to his current voter base while attracting new voters. If not, his campaign will self-destruct and his steamrolling will have paved the way for someone else to become the Republican Presidential nominee..
