Why I like Donald Trump
I just saw at Instapundit that Glenn had quoted me saying that Donald Trump could make it to the presidency. Yes, I like Donald Trump. He may be a media savvy pimp but what's wrong with that? Apparently, being media savvy is what it takes to get elected President these days. I admire bravery and courage and some of the things that Trump and his family have said against our current president even in the early stages leads me to think he is somewhat sincere. In his line of work, it is so easy to ingratiate oneself with the current administration for goodies but he didn't do that. I remember reading Trump's book Trump: The Art of the Deal
and thinking that he had a good head on his shoulders for business. We need a president like that in today's economy.
What is your take on Trump for president?
and thinking that he had a good head on his shoulders for business. We need a president like that in today's economy.What is your take on Trump for president?
Labels: politics
posted by Helen at 10:37 AM
66 Comments:
So far I like him. He doesn't tip-toe around anything or anyone. I'm very curious what you saw last night specifically that made you react so positively.
I have a deep loathing for the dramatics in which he engages, but then he is a TV personality to a large degree.
On the other hand, you cannot call Donald Trump a shrinking violet. Nobody gets to be a Donald Trump by being...
incompetent
frivolous
possessed of a trivial mind
timid and easily dominated
vicious or malicious
readily moved by rhetoric
ill-informed, or (and this is the BIG one)...
stupid
Trump is a lot of things, but he ain't stupid. Not by half.
I've no doubt, were The Donald elected POTUS, he would quickly (and possibly with good reason) be branded the Prima Donna Prez. Better men have been called worse.
But barring another candidate of better background and character, I can easily see myself voting for Trump. I don't believe for a second he would be wetnursed by a Teleprompter, nor is he likely to bow to Muslim regents. Frankly, I don't think he'd bow to a British royal if US/UK relations hung in the balance. Just not a bower, from my view.
I have a lot of time for Donald Trump.
If he is serious about restoring fiscal sanity and limited Federal government, I can support the abrasive fellow.
Otherwise, I wouldn't vote for him as President of Hair Club for Men.
I would vote for him in the general election, but likely not in the primary.
But then, I would vote for Hillary Clinton in the general if it were against President Obama.
I like Trump better than Huckabee, who reminds me too much of Bush. I think I would vote for Romney over Trump, but Trump and Newt would be a toss up.
Trey
I suspect Trump, though clearly a prima donna, would be rather a decent domestic president.
My biggest concerns are that he's too entrenched in the 'crony capitalism' world to do anything about it and that he is not particularly knowledgeable about, or interested in, foreign policy.
That said, because of his celebrity credentials, Trump can get away with saying things about Obama (and by extension the regime) that ordinary politicians cannot. Go, The Donald!
I think Trump's toupee is better qualified than the current president.
People hate amateur-politicians. Trump would say somethng stupid during the election and never be able to recover.
In addition, The U.S. saw with GW Bush what it is like to have a president who is disinterested in policy. Trump would be totally disinterested in policy or administration.
Why not find a candidate who has a long term history of success in government instead of someone who uses his own name to con the gullible.
Trump is not my first choice, but I I think he is better than Huckabee, better than Gingrich, better than Cain.... and of course better than Obama.
Trump is a phony but that didn't seem to be a bar for Kerry.
I have trouble understanding how someone would think Bush "uninterested in policy" but I suspect that is another way of saying he didn't like the policy. The more we see Obama adopt Bush policies, the harder it is to dismiss Bush's role in those policies.
Spinynorman,
"I'm very curious what you saw last night specifically that made you react so positively."
Actually, it was an interview I saw on CNBC and I liked some (not all) of what he said, in particular this:
"The United States--look, I'm all for golf. I'm a good golfer, I play a lot of golf, I win plum championships, I know a lot about the game. I own 12 courses that are top of the line. I don't want to see Obama--and I'm speaking against myself--I don't want to see Obama playing golf when Japan is in this kind of trouble."
http://www.cnbc.com/id/42154646/CNBC_EXCERPTS_DONALD_TRUMP_SPEAKS_WITH_LARRY_KUDLOW_TONIGHT_ON_CNBC_S_THE_KUDLOW_REPORT
I do want to hear more about his views, particularly on foreign policy. I think what I responded positively to was his being willing to criticize Obama openly when so many will not.
I'm very reluctant to vote for anybody for President who hasn't had executive-branch experience. Unfortunately, the majority of those who voted in the 2008 Presidential election don't have that reluctance. Donald Trump has no governmental experience whatsoever, and I suspect that his style, which, whatever its merits, is not based on anything except position power, would be a disaster.
Trump isn't stupid but running the government is far different than a business.
We can talk all we want about how it should be done, but the facts are that it is more complicated than saying you'll install an immediate tariff on China.
The soft money and special interest groups on all sides of the political spectrum have too much influence.
Candidates work for half a term before having to start campaigning for re-election.
I don't think that Trump is going to be willing to undergo the scrutiny and the nonsense involved in politics.
I don't really like Trump, but you gotta respect his skills. We do need a real citizen politician in the Oval and with each passing day of the Obama Presidency, Trump is looking better and better.
What's my take on Trump for POTUS? He's a hell of a lot BETTER than what's in there now!
Two words, Ross Perot.
The combination of business and government experience is so rare that it's a real shame that Rumsfeld is too old. I would vote for him at 81 but if only he was ten years younger!
I think the GOP has to nominate a governor. Romney has the money but I am uneasy about him. Daniels or Kasich seem to be the best bet so far.
Trump is a slimeball. His father was the brilliant businessman. Trump simply understands the law, especially bankruptcy law, well enough to exploit the loopholes.
I don't know too much about him except that he has left a trail of bankruptcies in his wake. Exactly what is he so good at except taking his investors to the cleaners that you would admire so much?
Michael K,
Yes, Rumsfeld at 81. When the world is smelling blood, Donald R's the man.
I think Trump's toupee is better qualified than the current president.
Agreed.
I've ignored Trump as much as it's possible to ignore him. He definitely has some of the qualities it takes to be a successful president. I'd give him serious consideration.
Trump knows how to get things done in the corporate world. Do what he says or get fired and he'll hire someone else who will. Doesn't work that way in politics. That being said, the proverbial potted plant would be more effective than the guy we've got now.
Thank God for Donald Trump.
He's the only candidate telling the truth about China. He's the only candidate afraid to touch the 'Birther' issue. (I hope that last one doesn't blow up in his face).
But right now - he's the only candidate who has shown A LOT of courage. God bless him. He's got my vote.
Locomotive Breath said...
Trump knows how to get things done in the corporate world. Do what he says or get fired and he'll hire someone else who will. Doesn't work that way in politics.
Excellent point. We're seeing this dynamic in states like Florida where a long-time businessman is now in a position of government executive leadership. Having business sense is a great asset, and a lot of it should be brought to bear in government - but the management skills and style don't necessarily translate directly into public office.
By the by, from your screen name I take it you're a Jethro Tull fan?
He has personal wealth, but: has Donald Trump ever run a business that didn't end up in bankruptcy? Mostly, Donald Trump is good at transferring wealth from shareholders to himself. Doesn't exactly sound like the man we need right now to me...actually, he sounds like a typical Democrat.
"http://www.donaldtrumpbankruptcynews.com/"
"http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-headlines/celebrity-lawsuits/how-does-trump-repeatedly-file"
"http://www.mademan.com/mm/how-many-times-has-donald-trump-filed-bankruptcy.html"
I'm generally skeptical of anybody who thinks they can just jump into the running for the top job, especially a businessman. Too many top business execs are all about working the system. We need somebody focused on changing the system they way Scott Walker is in WI, for example.
Trump is Romney without the religious baggage.
Or the moral scruples.
Vader said...
Trump is Romney without the religious baggage.
Or the moral scruples.
1:35 PM, March 28, 2011
Or the hair. Don't forget the hair.
Instead of comparing Trump to Obama, we should be comparing him to people like Rick Perry or Mitch Daniels -- i.e., people with proven track records in elected executive government.
I'm not saying that state governorship should be a sine qua non for the Presidency. But it sure as hell beats a pure politician like Obama, and a simple businessman like Trump (or Perot).
Kim, the problem with people with proven track records in elected executive government is that they think government works and should be continued.
I disagree. I think the government is toxic to America and needs to be drastically and radically downsized. Mitch Daniels does not think that way at all.
I don't want some big governemnt hack like Huckabee or Daniels.
Trey
TMink said...
Kim, the problem with people with proven track records in elected executive government is that they think government works and should be continued.
I disagree. I think the government is toxic to America and needs to be drastically and radically downsized. Mitch Daniels does not think that way at all.
I don't want some big governemnt hack like Huckabee or Daniels.
Trey, I like the way you think. I would look at it as they think government is the answer, and keep thinking government is the answer. Except for a few clearly-defined and narrowly delimited Constitutionally-prescribed functions, it ain't.
I agree with you about Huckabee. I don't know much about Daniels, but Huckabee's track record shows a prediliction toward big, intrusive government. It also shows very poor judgment, e.g. his grants of clemency/pardons to some very bad characters such as Maurice Clemmons. I can't imagine ever voting for the guy.
Forget Huckabee. He's an old-school Southern Democrat, not a Republican. Just remember, lots of Republican state governors resent the hell out of the Fed, and are unlikely to get too comfortable with the idea of growing it. Perry is a good example; the guy from one of the Dakotas (can't remember his name) is another. Someone to remember for later would be Ohio's guy Kasich, once he's figured out the job.
State governorships are excellent training wheels for the Presidency.
Oh... and you can't have Perry. We like him just fine right where he is.
Kim, good points all. To be honest, we had a pretty good Democratic governer here in Tennessee, Phil Bredesen. He was a businessman who made his bucks through HCA. He reformed our version of Medicaid and did a pretty good job of it against tons of socialist screaming.
I voted for him twice. He balanced the budget too. Sadly, he recently published a book in which he endorses a single payor health care system, so I could never vote for him in a position where he could implement that mess!
Trey
Kim said...
Oh... and you can't have Perry. We like him just fine right where he is.
Why are you so selfish? ;-)
I don't like Donald Trump because of ugly obnoxious buildings he put up in NYC. The guy just has a terrible taste, and he comes off too much like a clown. When I hear "Donald Trump for President", my reaction is "what's next, Paris Hilton?"
Trey - Good point about Bredesen. I happen to be acquainted with the state treasurer, a Republican, and he speaks highly of Bredesen.
Trey and dunkel, I think it's actually more of the opposite if you are talking about somebody from the GOP. There is a degree skeptisism about government in the GOP. Even though it's reviled, compare how W structured Medicare Part D vs Obamacare's mandates and exchanges.
I'd contrast that with a guy like Trump who has probably been working hand in glove with local, state, and federal governments for decades on his development projects. He's going to see direct government involvment in all sorts of projects as a good thing since it made him money.
Herman Cain posseses all Trumps good qualities w/o his bad ones.
Donald Trump appears to be a political neophyte who, though well-versed in media relations, hasn't given politics much thought. I think he would likely be an horrible president, perhaps nearly as bad as Barry.
I'd much prefer Wayne Allyn Root to Trump. Like Trump, Root is a self-promoter who is managing to get on national TV every other day, it seems. However, he has much better-developed political ideas; Trump seems to be doing politics on the fly.
Root, by the way, was in the same Columbia class as BHO. Curiously, he never heard of BHO while in college.
I want a president who will slap big tariffs on imports and bring manufacturing jobs back to America. I find it unrealistic to believe we'll ever have full employment without lots of skilled labor positions.
I know this will be a tough transition and good will cost more, maybe a lot more, be Trump seems to be the one guy who isn't afraid to say the rest of the world is taking America to the bank.
No thanks.
Trump has his points, but he's not POTUS material. And, I believe that will become obvious, even to the right, if he decides to run. (See multiple comments above about bankruptcies, etc.)
That said, I'd also have to agree that "I think Trump's toupee is better qualified than the current president."
On the gripping hand,, I'd love it if he would volunteer to take on Soros, one way or another. He's about the only American who could.
"He may be a media savvy pimp but what's wrong with that?"
Yeah. Obama is a media savvy pimp and look how great electing him has turned out so far!
/sarc
An over exposed, theatrical, comb-over twit, and that's the good part. I'm a staunch Right wing boy - Attilla you wimp!- but good grief!
Trump would likely be as good a president as Schwartzeneger and Ventura were governors, i.e. not very good. Being able to poke the right buttons on TV doesn't equate to being able to work with Congress on getting legislation passed. The U.S. Presidency is not an entry level position.
As much as people like to think it is, the Federal Government isn't a business. Some business sense would be helpful, but a President can't give orders to Congress. He can barely give orders to people in the Executive Branch. When working with Congress, he has to convince a majority of 535 monomaniacal prima donnas to do what he wants. In business, everyone at the table is trying to make a buck. In government, you can't be sure what anyone at the table really wants. It's a totally different world.
I'd love to have someone who had been a CEO of a successful business, along with being successful in high-level politics. But, someone who has no proven government experience would get rolled as badly as Obama has, even if he did have a better set of goals.
monomaniacal = megalomaniacal
..curses, burned by the spell checker.
"Apparently, being media savvy is what it takes to get elected President these days."
Actually, since the Kennedy-Nixon debates, at least.
Re Trump: As always, you are an independent thinker. One of your many admirable qualities. Personally, I'd vote for him, and count on him to kick some ass. I remember the Wollman Rink fiasco in NYC years ago. City just could not get its act together in rehabbing the rink. This went on for years, and anyone who asked questions (like 'Where did all the money go?' or 'Why is there never anyone actually WORKING on the site?') was told to 'mind your own business'. (Guess how I know this?)
Finally, NYC's incompetent, inbred Democrats got embarrassed enough by all the mocking headlines that they let Trump take over. Boom. Done in a few months.
I'm not saying Trump could ever get ELECTED, mind you. You really have to swim in the political waters to get elected POTUS, and Trump is an eternal outsider. (Probably why I like him for the job.) But if he was on the ballot, yeah, he'd have my vote.
Had he been put in charge of WTC rebuild, we'd have celebrated the twin towers' rebirth by now.
If what you want is a super-successful businessman who also DOES know how to get elected - Mike Bloomberg. I realize that 'Mister Helen' does not like him, but he is a guy who actually could turn the country around.
I may be mistaken, but I believe in the last election cycle Trump floated an idea for a one-time tax on accumulated wealth. It is a very interesting idea that I had given serious thought to before hearing him discuss it. I had never heard any majorfigure discuss this idea before. I wonder if he'll resurrect this one.
What is also good about Trump is that he is completely known and defined by the MSM.
If he runs against Obama the media cannot tell everyone he is just a dumb racist Republican. We know he isn't.
That is why he is getting away with the birther stuff. The media can't say, "listen to the dumb conspiracy nut," The public knows he is a Wharton educated brilliant businessman, no amount of media spin can change that image.
I love and respect the entire Insta-family but please seek help if you really believe this, Insta- Doctor. The first step is the hardest and we're only as sick as our secrets.
It would give me an excuse to buy a bumper sticker I saw online.
Trump 2012
Obama, You're fired!
Ah, who needs an excuse, I'm going get one for the pickup right now. It'll look good next to my "Friends of Coal" Kentucky license plate. :-)
As a friend of mine is fond of saying, every toolbox needs sandpaper.
I have always liked him as a TV personalty, but have had the same "crony capitalist" concerns that are mentioned above. After watching the interview linked below however, it seems like we could (and certainly have) done worse. I never thought I would say this, but I am actually softening up to him as a truly legitimate option in the primaries...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAnGBwjwpHI&NR=1
i have a slogan for trump's campaign
THE DONALD---- HE'S GOT A PAIR
Listen, I'm a birther and the truth of the matter is that birthers are becoming a menace to our own constitution. Most birthers believe the issue involves the question of where he was born, thinking that is an end state. Well, hate to break it to you folks, if the guy produces a document that says he is native born most will consider the question closed. Hence, the idea that birthers are a menace. Native born does not equate to natural born. Natural born equates to born without foreign allegiance, pure and simple. Native born citizens are often born with foreign citizenship, ask the guy pruning your shrubs about his kids.
Americans love drama and conspiracy theories, believing the President is hiding something they have concocted a need for a smoking gun with ideas that there is criminal mischief afoot. Well, kids, guess what...no need, so stop it. The President was born a dual citizen, he's said as much. Folks born with allegiance to foreign power were specifically identified as ineleligble to hold the office of the presidency (per John Jay). Simple as that. Sorry to mess up your "black panther party" but that's all you need to petition the courts and the congress to act. Honest. Trump and everyone else that distracts the electorate from the obvious are doing a disservice to our nation and the constitution. If you can't see that, then you are part of the problem and should at the very least "shut up". Please.
http://thenaturalbornpresidency.blogspot.com/2011/03/presidential-eligibility-for-dummies.html
Dan said...
I want a president who will slap big tariffs on imports and bring manufacturing jobs back to America. I find it unrealistic to believe we'll ever have full employment without lots of skilled labor positions.
Smoot-Hawley didn't really work out that well. I'm not so sure Smoot-Hawley II is such a good idea.
Noooooo!!!!
Dr. Helen, I'm disappointed. Donald Trump is a louse. We're talking about a guy whose famed business career amounts to leveraging his father's real estate business, political connections and the bankruptcy laws. I not just bankruptcy as in failure, but bankruptcy as in "renegotiate my loan contract or I'll declare bankruptcy and leave you holding the bag". If you look at the guy's proposed policies, they aren't free enterprise and capitalism. They're mercantilism and crony capitalism.
Now, if there were a movement to draft John Allison or David Koch, I'd be asking where I should donate the maximum contribution.
Cain is impressive, so is West.
Whoever the "birther" is, you do not talk like any birther I have ever talked to.
Trey
I'd prefer an old yellow dog to Obama, but in the case of Trump, I can't tell much difference.
"I want a president who will slap big tariffs on imports and bring manufacturing jobs back to America."
Smoot-Hawley, anyone?
Did not work out well at all.
"We're talking about a guy whose famed business career amounts to leveraging his father's real estate business, political connections and the bankruptcy laws. I not just bankruptcy as in failure, but bankruptcy as in "renegotiate my loan contract or I'll declare bankruptcy and leave you holding the bag". If you look at the guy's proposed policies, they aren't free enterprise and capitalism."
------
I agree, but reality is not the issue.
A guy has to appear rich, and has to appear to have overwhelming confidence, and that's all that many or most Americans need to kick in their Hero archetype. I guess especially among women.
And that's why America is really, truly fucked and is probably going to find out that it is not the Superpower anymore in 20-30 years.
What certain people here don't get is that EVERYONE fabricates a "story" about himself if he happens to get rich. That applies to lotto winners as well. Trump has written about his past in a self-serving way, and some people here buy it hook, line and sinker.
He's got the overwhelming appearance of confidence. That's why the bad-haircut-dude is with a constant string of super-models.
Vader said...
"I want a president who will slap big tariffs on imports and bring manufacturing jobs back to America."
Smoot-Hawley, anyone?
Did not work out well at all.
2:28 PM, March 30, 2011
Must be an echo in here. ;-)
Last evening Trump outdid himself by suggesting that not only was Obama not an American but he was probably a Muslim..the guy is an out and out showman.
If you want a possible conservative candidate, Scott Brown's numbers are soaring beyond Obama's or any other democrat at this point.
"Trump would likely be as good a president as Schwartzeneger and Ventura were governors, i.e. not very good."
I disagree, those two were actors. Trump has made money. He has had a job. A real job. A job that made payrole. Something that the President and 93% of his cabinet have never done. Really, only 7% of the President's cabinet have had a real job. The rest have strong jaw muscles from sucking the government teat. Or something.
Trey
Don't remember the commentor's name, maybe "Ed", but he proposed a bumper sticker, "Donald Trump, He Has A Pair". Bravo! Totally agree. Someone needs to get in there and kick some Congressional Asses. And several non-Congressional. Trump is a businessman familiar with processes that make money and cut waste, a prime factor in successful private businesses. Dearly needed in our bloated guvmint. How many millionaires have lost it and gained it back and then some? You learn from mistakes. America hasn't but is about to, I dearly pray. Mistake=Obama's election. No candidate will be faultless. But will have "less faults" that will get him/her elected. We need someone "with a pair". Donald Trump, Michelle Bachmann or Sarah Palin. Trump is the more experienced, but obviously not as gorgeous as the other two. My 2 cents.
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