We have returned to the campaign trail, and once again I find myself in New Hampshire. With the Democratic field so small the story to be told is coming out of the Republican camps. While the number of cadidates has dwindled over the summer and fall there are still a number of strong contenders and early polls are tightening showing this race could go in many directions. Even third and fourth place finishers in Iowa and New Hampshire may be able to hold on past South Carolina and into Super Tuesday. I won't jump too far ahead though, as everyone still needs to get through the Granite State's "First in the Nation Primary."
Way back in 2013 I began covering Ted Cruz fundraising speeches in the White Mountains. Back then the story was Jeb Bush's Republican Ascendancy to the Nomination. Two years later the story is quite different. Jeb is in the cellar, and last season's joke candidate is this season's front runner. TRUMP! TRUMP! TRUMP! is here to "Make America Great Again!"
Even as a member of the target audience, I don't see the appeal. Taking extreme stands is fine with me, but Trump feels too ridiculous. I sometimes wonder if he isn't a Democratic patsy. A sort of bizzaro Manchurian Candidate created to make Hilary appealing. Her campaign must see him as her best opponent by far.
Surely the Republican Party, once the hallmark of the unified message, is only tolerating him until they can sort out their own most electable guy or gal. They allow Trump to absorb the blows of the mainstream press, and keep the pressure off of their true #1. A classic D&D style brick character, not skillful or even strong but with hit points to spare while the wizard preps the spells.
The trouble with my theory is Trump is, as far as we know, doing very well. He is drawing a crowd and poll respondents are saying his name again and again. Time will tell, as election results and poll numbers have found themselves in oddly different corners of the room when the sun rises the day after election day. Could Trump be a paper tiger or is he the real mccoy?
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