One notices that when the current nomination cycle began, Donald Trump was more often than not referred to by his full name: Donald Trump. Or by his surname: Trump. As time went by, his iconic sobriquet began to be used on a regular basis, generally in a not unkindly way: The Donald, as if he were a reified entity, a theatrical performance, or even a sort of force or condition, like The Weather. Now he is increasingly addressed simply as: Donald. The outsider, the mogul, the thespian has become a household guest, someone many of us know—with the exception of his enemies or professional skeptics—as a friendly and companionable figure. This is the other “nomination” that has occurred.
Despite the media hype painting him as an unprincipled opportunist, it appears that he has gradually earned the trust of millions of voters, including the initially undecided. That is, he has become Donald, familiar, admired and likeable.
Indeed, what’s not to like?
He has solemnly promised to fix America’s porous border situation and put paid to the violence and fiscal burdens that attend the vast influx of illegal migrants among ordinary, tax-paying Americans.
He has thrown down the gauntlet before the Islamic terror industry, vowed to halt the flow of “Syrian” refugees into the country, and pledged to set up screening mechanisms to repair a broken immigration system and weed out the carriers of an ideology hostile to the preservation of a free and democratic society.
He has presented himself as the law and order candidate in a nation careening toward anarchy in the streets and open war on the police, which has put every citizen at risk.
He has expressed his contempt for political correctness, a species of evasion and outright lying that is weakening the cultural sinews of the nation and its ability to defend itself against a host of enemies, internal and external.
He is committed to restoring an enfeebled military to its former status as the world’s mightiest fighting force. Additionally, he will honor and support America’s veterans, left to malinger by the Obama administration.
He has promised to renegotiate unfavorable trade deals that have left America at a competitive disadvantage, cost millions of jobs, and led to the gutting of the blue collar, middle class and small entrepreneurial strata of society.
He has vowed to replace globalism with Americanism and to require NATO allies to pay their fair share for defense rather than rely on continued American largesse to make up for shortfalls. Who respects a sucker?
He has promised to end the disaster of Obamacare, to tackle the national debt, to revitalize American manufacture, and to open up a restrictive, dumbed-down, “assembly line” educational system.
Considering this bordereau of serious and meaningful pledges, what’s not to like?
Trump—sorry, Donald—enjoys four distinct advantages over all other political actors on the national stage. He is not a beltway politician, which means he has not been corrupted by the perks and privileges so dear to the political elite. He is self-funded and therefore not beholden to major donors and lobbyists. He is a hands-on person, who pays attention to detail, where the devil is said to live, which accounts for his efficiency in keeping the devil’s handiwork of distraction and error at a minimum. And he possesses the ability to spot talent, to put the right people in place to ensure the success of his various projects. Donald is now “Donald” because he has become a member of the American family.
True, Hillary is also a first-namer, but that’s owing to the fact that she is not Bill, that her name operates no differently from a slogan, and that she is the media’s darling. Hillary is a very nice name, but it is really, like the pricey pantsuit, a form of camouflage; the venality and mendacity that lie beneath do not bear scrutiny.
On the contrary, Donald has nothing to hide, he is who he is, a man who has raised a beautiful and capable family, who is disdainful of media deception and shallowness, who can be direct and aggressive without apology, and who believes in hard work and the prosperity that comes from it. As celebrated author Conrad Black said in a keynote address at a conference that Chatham House rules forbid me to specify, Trump—sorry, Donald—has nothing in common with the punditocracy’s representation of him; he is by no means a scoundrel but a loyal friend, a generous man and a decent employer. He is a phenomenon that has rarely been seen on the political proscenium, at least since Reagan—a real person, warts and all. He has lived the American dream and is determined to dispel the American nightmare. That puts him on the side of every aspiring American, makes him one of us, just Donald. In an op-ed for The National Post, Black makes the point succinctly: “The commentariat should be celebrating the fact that Donald did the necessary to round up the Archie Bunker vote, and it is little wonder that it is now almost half the people.”
And yes, Donald has trodden on sensibilities and spoken abrasively, but sometimes that is necessary. He does not suffer fools gladly and has, as many of his supercilious and pampered adversaries have not, grappled in the rough-and-tumble. This is the world, after all, not some utopian fantasy spawned by the left, the bien pensants, and the cushy academics who build castles in the sand, not office towers and hotels. The man of the hour, however, is the man of the years to come. We know him now as Donald.
What’s not to like?
rsklaroff Said:
but you keep dishing them out, just like cruz did when he got the slap down.
@ rsklaroff:
I have come to the conclusion that your problem with Trump is over cruz and that you use Israel as a pretense. You are not interested in Israel but rather in cruz and his conservatives. Like Haim Saban you use Israel as a cover for your personal agenda.
rsklaroff Said:
I have said many times that I have some positions on the right and some on the left but wrt israel I would say that most Israeli leftists would label me a “nazi”… as they do Israel.
I am hoping that israel gets a gov that will drive all the anti semites from the land and the policy of Trump will allow that approach too.
rsklaroff Said:
In other word you are not only superficial and trivial but possibly bordering on anal retentive traits. Here is the statement I have been posting here every week so that every one internalizes it:
“JEWISH SETTLEMENT IN JUDEA SAMARIA IS LEGAL AND LEGITIMATE”
BB never says those words.
It appears that like most superficial and lazy folk who defame without facts or reading that you have to in the end grasp for trivial straws rather than meet the meat of the matter.
The only issue you brought up was Donald and jerusalem and I have clearly shown that his policy is perfect for Israel. I notice that you NEVER answer my question as to whether you want more for Israel than Israel having full control over its decisions. I have shown you also that if the USA adopts a policy that Israel likes today but Israel changes its mind tomorrow then your approach does not work well for Israel and its flexibility or control. Hands off is the best.
rsklaroff Said:
i think that no one should take you seriously…. it appears that you were dishonest when you asserted that you were concerned about Israel. It appears that all you are concerned for are puppy dog Cruz’ hurt feelings….. but you should be happy that Cruz was taught a lesson that he should not dump on the wives of others while hiding behind his superpac, like hezbullah saying it wasnt me it was the political wing. Cruz tried to get away with obscenity and donald showed him how the game is played. donald treats honest folks with utmost respect but he is merciless with liars and hypocrites.. like Cruz, the sleazy and dishonest press, rubio, bush, hillary, bernie…. all leaches and parasites trying to live off our dime. You have no interest in Israel if you are voting for anyone other than trump… perhaps you should ask Cruz hand in marriage… its legal now.
@ bernard ross:
BTW, the “tell” that you’ve lib-progressive leanings is the above quote [“he accepts Jewish settlement in the west bank”] because your vocabulary-choices subtly/profoundly undermine Israeli legitimacy; these are COMMUNITIES in JUDEA/SAMARIA.
bernard ross Said:
As has been proven repeatedly during the BHO Administration, “Israel NEEDS american endorsement of its policies.”
rsklaroff Said:
wow, you are just NOT getting it…. there is no need to endorse any policy other than not interfering with Israels decisions and supporting Israel. Trump has declared absolute support for any decision that Israel makes. I think you are confused, Israel does not need american endoresement of its policies…. it needs NO interference coupled with support… both are Trump. Israels policies change depending on its gov…. if BB wants to give away Jerusalem do you think it is for the Americans to disagree or force what they want? Its best for Israelis to decide and to change their mind… Trumps policy is absolutely and without a doubt the best for Israel…. notwithstanding the lies of Haim Saban to the contrary.
@ bernard ross:
You are changing the topic, as usual; I support Johnson to be involved in the debates…while The Donald must ATONE for his SINS [and then, perhaps, he’ll be able to attract the “base”].
rsklaroff Said:
looks like your man Johnson has the same policy as Trump:
is it still confusing or ambiguous for you?
It is Israeli policy that America should endorse; not everything should be “negotiable”…including whether Israel continues to exist as a Jewish state!
rsklaroff Said:
please explain yourself… what is “vulgar” about american policy? I have no idea what you are trying to aver.
rsklaroff Said:
you appear confused, there is NOTHING “ambiguous” about Trumps policy wrt Israel. His policy regarding Israel is to leave all decisions of the negotiation up to Israel because Israel knows best what it should accept or reject. He does NOT beleive that the US should decide what the parties should accept or reject.
There is no ambiguity there except in your confusion.
rsklaroff Said:
??? adopting “what”? Are you saying that you want Trump to have a policy on the status of Jerusalem… why should america or anyone else have a say in Jerusalem or a policy on it. Jerusalem belongs to and is in the control of Israel and it is Israel who should decide without the USA pressuring her with american policies where there should be none. You appear completely confused as to what Trumps policies are, perhaps you have been listening to Hillary for your info on Trump?
Ted Belman Said:
Whoever wrote that is an unstable individual who appears completely ignorant of facts. A hysterical nut with no tie to reality, ranting and raving and yet saying NOTHING that is factual. This is what happens when the ignorant beleive what their masters tell them.
Ted Belman Said:
an ignorant american Jew..FIFY…. demonstrated by the lies written to defame without any factual evidence or support for what he/she wrote.
Ted Belman Said:
even an idiot knows that one should check the facts before libeling and defaming others… there are no facts to support the libelous defamation written by that ignoramus.
American policy should be unambiguous, and it is a corruption of this concept to suggest that adopting it would adversely affect Israeli policy; it’s “vulgar” to suggest otherwise.
rsklaroff Said:
so you are hoping to hear an echo? Trump leaves Israels fate in Israels hands… what more could Israel want? You have not answered to that position that Trump holds wrt Israel. This was discussed here weeks ago… that he feels Israel is the best one to know what is good for Israel.
rsklaroff Said:
Why, my vision was proven correct and accurate wrt Trump and Cruz? Cruz was wrong and then was a crybaby.
rsklaroff Said:
Actually what I find disgustingly obscene and vulgar are the repetitive lies and libels of Trumps character… slung about with as much care and manners as chimpanzees slinging shite. you have maligned trump over and over just like the dems and establishment gop, you have not made one supported assertion that makes sense. If you are clueless its best to keep quiet. Your MO wrt Trump is the same MO used by all the defamers and delegitimizers of Israel. Just like cruz you sling shite and then expect to leave unscathed.
rsklaroff Said:
baloney, like cruz you run away when you fall into intellectual bankruptcy and I agree that such cowardice is vulgar.
rsklaroff Said:
Indeed I do…. I agree with his view that everyone should keep out and leave negotiations up to the parties… if Israelis want to give away Jerusalem why should Americans stop them? Do you think that America should tell Israel what to accept or reject, do you want america to hold Israels hand? I can imagine no better position than to leave the fate of Israel to be decided by israel with no outside pressure or interference. I think you know this but are being dishonest… you also know that he accepts Jewish settlement in the west bank and would consider solutions other than the 2 state. No one has been more pro Israel without demanding what they want to see happen.
@ bernard ross:
I will not continue to reply to vulgarisms, but just know that the absence of any principled stances is characteristic of The Donald, and the Jerusalem policy [before his scrubbed visit to BB, which was his initial rationalization] is emblematic of that flaw.
yamit82 Said:
actually I think his MO is misleading as I have seen interviews where he is articulate. Perhaps its also to do with the bulk of his audience… remember that most americans elected a guy named hussein to be their president after 911 and now appear surprised that lots of muslims are in gov, the FBI has been banned from mentioning or looking into muslims, islamaphobia is a greater prioriity than muslim slaughter…. you get my drift.
rsklaroff Said:
wow, you appear to have early onset dementia with loss of memory… his MO is to leave ALL the negotiations to the parties… meaning it is up to Israel as to what is satisfactory to Israel. What more could you want for Israel, other than having its posterior wiped.
Its difficult to discuss something with someone who cant keep up with the program and forgets what people actually say.
@ bernard ross:
i’ll give you one: The Donald consistently refused to acknowledge Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of the Jewish state; do you concur with his view that this is “negotiable”?
rsklaroff Said:
perhaps you can give us an idea of how you choose the candidate for whom you will vote? To me it appears that “feelings” are you main motivation.
rsklaroff Said:
no reason to apologize or atone… cruz hid behind his superpac and sicced his dogs on donalds wife…. and donald, just as I would do, dumped a whole elephant load on him and his wife to give him a lesson in manners, hypocrisy and hiding behind lies. Cruz could only have been a puppet… he could never be a puppeteer.
@ bernard ross: you may wish to reverse-ocular and re-perceive
yamit82 Said:
that’s what I saw too.
rsklaroff Said:
any evidence for that assertion? I saw a whiny little girl who slung shite at donald and when donald replied with a dump truck of shite he ran crying to his daddy. A statesman is far from what he is, he would have to exchange his panties for briefs first.
rsklaroff Said:
like all your previous postings there is no evidence or support…. you have that in common with the dems…. slinging shite and hoping it sticks….. this works with those who are unread, illiterate and ignorant… but anyone who read a bit soon learns that its ALL lies.
rsklaroff Said:
I have had the same sentiments since he threw his hat in the ring… but then I was never a repeating parrot mouthing the mantras of others…. I actually do research and find things out. If you were to ever actually post or assert an argument which went beyond name calling, mud slinging, etc. one could give a rebuttal. But all your postings seem to be void of any actual arguments. Anyone can call names but to cobble together a couple of sentences into an argument requires a minimum of literacy. Try again, perhaps one day you might succeed.
@ yamit82:he’s a statesman
@ rsklaroff:
Cruz is a disloyal, unethical, ambitious POS and deserved all he got and more.
@ rsklaroff:
Knock yourself out. Losers attract losers and Johnson won’t get 15%…..
Apparently their negative position on Israel is no impeditive as per your arguments against Trump above. Proves you are just biased against Trump so leave Israel out of your bias.
Until/unless The Donald atones for his attacks–such as against Ted Cruz–I’m supporting Gary Johnson to exceed the 15% threshold so that he can join the debates; I [and millions of others who constitute the “base”] will not be subjected to extortion.
the fact that the entire establishment which runs everything…. the GOP, the dems, the hollywood moguls, most silicon valley moguls, the entire MSM, assorted billionaires heavily invested in the establishment operation(latest being bloomberg and saban), most of the worlds leaders,…. all those who have steered us into the current horror show, all those who tell us everything is fine, none of whom have been injured in any of the recent muslim slaughters…. the fact that Donald has them freaked out is enough evidence that he is on the right track.
By endorsing Hillary and then leaving the Dem party… Bernie has demonstrated that he is a complete fraud, a con artist, a thief of young votes…. he stole the votes with lies and then handed them all to the dems and left the area before the shite hits the fan.
Here is a message from one of Clinton’s funders:
Gosh, on reading his bio my conclusion would have to be: Pot, kettle, black?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haim_Saban
this guy appears to have made his money from the entertainment business as opposed to Trump who built real projects. This guy has spent tens of millions funding the dems and the clintons for years…… duh… I wonder why? Was he just being charitable do you think? In fact, I see very little charitable work and most of his donations appear to be political. I have a suspicion that Haim has benefited from Clinton and the Dems and would not wish that windfall interrupted.
LOL,it appears that Haim is just one in a long line of foreign moguls, nations and muslims who have contributed hundreds of millions to the Clintons. I would say he is so heavily invested in Hillary that he might be lying about Trump… I wonder if Haim is a truth teller?
ah yes, I think we can figure this out pretty easily.
I suspect that the real disaster would be for Haim losing his direct ear to the US president and sleeping in the White House… losing all those perks that lead to billions.
I doubt that Israel figures much into his agenda. Its hard for the moguls when one of their own decides not to be a team player.
@ Ted Belman:
you may be over-reacting to the receipt of such e-mails by uncritically supporting the Donald
Here is a typical email.
Illustrative of the vacuity of much of the pro-Donald postings is the absence of any comparable sentiments expressed by any of these authors in ’15.
oldjerry Said:
excellent observation…. in the spirit of Trump one liners, or bottom liners……which accurately sum it all up in the most economical way.
I wonder if the statement is accurate or is a harbinger, a trial balloon, of another incredibly brilliant piece of marketing… almost as brilliant as his single handedly decimating the GOP establishment AND the MSM. If he is embarking on creating this “image”, it would be an absolutely brilliant strategy… combining his current “tell it like it is” MO, which does not kowtow to the usual PC boo hoo focusing on the offended perp, with a likable, familiar homebody that the photo portrays.
@ oldjerry:
I agree
Trump shows little depth and he is the most inarticulate of politicians but he keeps his message simple and so far has demonstrated great insticts and common sense.
If he appoints strict constitutionalists to the SC he will have done enough to justify his winning the election.
@ yamit82:
Conrad Black has said it all. Trump single- handedly took over the Republican Party and thanks to him politics in this country will never be the same. Dissident Republicans and Conservatives have shown themselves to be pygmies compared to Trump.
@ rsklaroff:
So you think Hitlery would be better?
Hitlery is a pro Arab Jew hater I don’t think Trump is.
Got something better to support your apparent elitist and arrogant bias?
Conrad Black: The genius of Donald Trump
Conrad Black
Each assertion has been contradicted, characterized by his not-rescinded claim that Jerusalem being the undivided capital of the Jewish state is negotiable.
I agree with this article entirely. And there is much more to like. He’s for energy independence and against the propaganda on climate change.
He is very pro-Israel and open to alternate peace plans. He is even in favour of Israel building settlements.
Plus he wants to make Russia a friend rather than an adversary.
@ rsklaroff:
I think you demonstrated both in your comment.
arrogance and ignorance, for starters