Posted on 08/28/2015 12:45:13 PM PDT by Red Steel
I host a regional radio talk show. Every single show for the last six weeks, Monday through Friday, I've received calls, emails and Facebook comments during my broadcast from audience members starving for a new-and-improved nation.
It's apparent from my vantage point behind the microphone that if you're even remotely glossy-eyed by presidential coverage in the media, you'd better buy some eye drops. The panorama of candidate content, communications and messaging is barely on the horizon, and soon to be in full view as the Iowa caucus and primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada come into focus.
Maneuvering through the gauntlet of opinions, I'm finding a consistency remains in deep-rooted support for presidential candidate Donald Trump.
People love Trump. They deem him a saving grace. He's the proverbial Hercules and America's problems are the labors to pursue and slay. He is riding a wave of popularity so profound even the sharks are curbing their taste.
In light of the Trump sensation, it may be appropriate, or at least instructive, to delineate what my radio listeners embrace from Trump's message.
Here are five reasons why Trump appears to be the candidate to beat:
1. He doesn't need to bluff. Trump has such confidence that he's the kind of player who doesn't bluff in a poker game. While this feels counterintuitive to a winning strategy, particularly in an age of baby-kissing politicians who thrive on placation over results, it's actually refreshing. His candor builds respect. Radio listeners are extolling day after day the fact Trump is transparent to a fault, from his stances on immigration to foreign relations. Even his faults are steadily accepted and adopted. Poll Americans on who they like better: Trump vs. Univision reporter Jorge Ramos, actress Rosie O'Donnell, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), blogger Erick Erickson, pollster Frank Luntz or even columnist George Will, and the New York businessman will be on top every time by double digits.
2. He can't be intimidated. Forget his multibillion dollar net worth. Push aside his armada of contacts and networking forged over decades. One of the strongest resonating dimensions to Trump is grit and tenacity. Super-PAC coffers of more than $100 million, compliments of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United case, don't dissuade or cower Trump. He has access to the same level of resources. Political titles and legislative chevrons glimmering with laws passed in Congress don't make Trump blink, because he's been the donor sought after by many of these same politicians now running against him. From connections to chits, deep roots in business to opponents with far less resources, competitors simply can't match Trump's popularity. As one caller to the show recently bemused, compare Sen. Marco Rubio's (R-Fla.) student loans or Gov. Scott Walker's (R-Wis.) personal debt to Trump's acumen and portfolio, and it's almost like petulant children are competing against their successful, prominent father.
3. Out with political correctness. Build a wall to block illegal immigration from Mexico and Central America while deporting what he calls "anchor babies" and their families; impugn Russian, Chinese and South American leaders despite inextricably linked economies with the U.S.; hobble castigators who choose insults and fodder over substance in debates and interviews. It's almost like describing a Roman general or martyr of a revolution, yet it's a precise portrayal of Trump. His wherewithal is opening the eyes of Americans to the incompetence of our government. Callers remind me nearly every show that they want solutions, not sensationalism. They seek commonsense policies, not sound bites. My callers think Megyn Kelly was rude in her Fox News debate questions. They resoundingly believe Ramos deserved his fast-and-furious escort out of the recent Iowa press conference. They concur that chest-pounders like Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) do, in fact, need to be taken down a notch on the hubris ladder. From race to gender to economic principles, Trump's stark opinions are catching the attention of the public, and they can't stop staring — in a good way. This isn't a painted breast in Manhattan, but the cold, hard truth about America being broken, and a journeyman blessed with the right tools to "get 'er done" and make repairs.
4. He's reinvigorating America across the political spectrum. Like a Lee Greenwood or Johnny Cash song, Trump is traveling from the lakes to the fields to the cities of America, and he's definitely been everywhere — and isn't stopping. The media follow his path; opponents emulate his narrative; the electorate revels in the freshness of a candidate diagnosing what ails us and offering painful but necessary remedies. As for radio talk show listeners, be it the libertarian free marketer, Tea Party stalwart, open-minded Republican or smidgeon of moderate Democrats, Trump's ascension in public support isn't just vertical, but also lateral from right to middle to left in partisan affiliation. As one listener messaged last month, President Obama's initial campaign maxims of "hope" and "yes we can" were just that: maxims, that never came to fruition. It appears Trump's legacy may be following through with his promises, and that expectation appears to have awakened the American ethos.
5. Finally, a business-centric leader who is comfortable making decisions. A fan of the show recently commented that Trump can win the race for the presidency by naming his vice president and Cabinet members in the next few months, rather than after a Republican nomination. The logic is that building a team of experts who will manage the operations of the nation, as part of a campaign platform, is superior to generalities and wishful thinking. Trump's business acumen is proven. Callers are alluding to the fact that he isn't afraid of the media, nor does he use the crutch of notes and prepared speeches. He's a negotiator, not a political puppet. He's a dealmaker who thrives in the hot seat of a boardroom. Logic suggests he'll be the same in foreign negotiations or hunkered down in a military command center. Trump doesn't "blink," in the Malcolm Gladwell context.
If radio listener opinions are any indication of genuine support, Trump will sail to victory next year. He will have the opportunity to do away with the frivolity and waste so many disappointed Americans yearn to eliminate.
Polls and the trending of primary politics may matter, but don't overlook the culture of American talk radio and the obvious backdraft of resentment building behind the doors of Americans across the country.
Voters are listening, and radio talk may be the clearest window through which to understand their wishes.
This is the one that blows me away. I actually watched this one. Then I watched it replayed again and again and again.
And damn if in each replay Ramos doesn't rudely interrupt out of turn and refuse to wait for his turn AFTER Trump had obviously called on someone else. Each time they play it, it's exactly that way, that my eyes see and my ears hear: Ramos interrupts and is rude.
And damn if the media isn't trying to convince me, who actually saw it, that it didn't happen that way, that it was Ramos' turn and Trump refused to let him speak.
The media has such strong belief in their power to bewitch/silence audiences -- that they would say immediately after we saw something that we didn't see what we saw.
It makes me despise them even more.
One can hope but probably won’t happen with The Don. However we know damn well that NO OTHER GOP candidate will eliminate ANYTHING.
IN before Nick!!! lol
I do love the fact that the GOPe are collectively wetting themselves.
That makes two of us. (and a whole lot more...)
Well, there’s time (9 months+) before the next election, but I’m not sure Melania wants another child.
That would be awesome. Can’t argue with any of it.
Bttt
I would say that if Ophrah doesn’t deserve a warm buck, who does?
Well, if any 80s metal heads are still kicking, he’ll get their vote too.
You may not know this, but after initially joking about Oprah, Trump made some serious comments. He said,
‘In fact yes, I do think Oprah would be a terrific veep. She could carry on Michelle’s Let’s Move/eating-obsession campaign without missing a beat, and don’t underestimate her ability to mist up and shed a tear on cue. It comes in handy. Best of all, she’s a tv/celebrity has-been who alienated a yuge segment of her audience. I’m sure she could do the same for me.”
For that alone we should thank Trump bigtime.
“Your lying eyes,” dearest xzins!
Just kidding. I know, that fallacious sales job fell flat.
The Univision troll was on a mission, but Mr, Trump saw him coming 100 miles away!
The sage Rove didn’t see this coming did he.
We’ve predicted it for decades.
We’re using the nuclear option.
GOPe, a political sea of glass.
Trump/Cruz 2016, ensures it will be a about 16 years before those cretins can crawl out the other side.
Heh heh heh...
You left out Ted Cruz. Maybe make Gowdy the Solicitor General, and Cruz AG.
Better yet, keep Sessions in the Senate and have Cruz as Veep and Gowdy as AG. That way we can possibly get Sessions as Majority Leader and Cruz can prep an even better resume for 2024.
I too went through that same game changing epiphany but mine came as partial birth abortion. When abortion was GIVEN legal status back in 1973, it was only allowed in the first tri-mester of pregnancy and I was only 16 yo.
My mind was dramatically changed when I learned how the procedure was done and upon finding out about partial birth abortion. I developed an intense hatred for the people who allowed that to happen to our unborn.
I've learned to hate now. I hate democrats passionately.
I can understand the partial birth thoughts exactly.
If an unborn could be delivered prematurely and live at that stage, what is abortion other than straight up murder?
I totally agree!
To murder our most defenseless just because is pure madness.
I can’t find a real reason good enough to justify any of the procedures.
Jefferson Sessions as Vice President
Randy, we see eye to eye on this. I’m glad.
Thank you.
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