Playing the Trump Card
There are times when rhetorical skill can take on an almost symphonic quality, carrying us to dizzying heights. And from those heights in the nose-bleed section of utopian grandiosity we can see the twin cities of paradise, Hope and Change, where sea levels subside, and where an army of windmills silently spin with the bloviating blast from confident if vacuous leaders who talk much but say precious little. And then there is Donald Trump.
Pugnacious, unapologetic, defiant, pulling no punches, and quintessentially American. Those were the words that came to mind while watching Donald Trump on Bill O'Reilly's show tonight. Put aside the specific policy prescriptions for just a moment, step back and look at Trump's basic message which was nicely encapsulated in this exchange:
O'Reilly: Iran is trying to get a nuke. You gonna stop them if you're president?
Trump: I wouldn't let them have a nuke.
O'Reilly: How would you stop it?
Trump: I would do what I had to do.
O'Reilly: Which is?
Trump: They will not have a nuke.
O'Reilly: What do you mean, you gonna level them?
Trump: I will stop. They will not have a nuke. Look, our weak president, that kisses everybody's ass, is in more wars than I've ever seen! Now he's in Libya, he's in Afghanistan, he's in Iraq. Nobody respects us, and...
O'Reilly: So no nuke for Iran.
Trump: ...and nobody respects our leadership.
O'Reilly: Okay, so no nuke for Iran.
Trump: I mean what, can I do worse? …
This, I believe is the kind of language people are craving. Plain spoken and unabashedly American. This is a guy who won't be bowing to despots, won't be taking dictation from the U.N., and genuinely seems to understand that the light we see in the distance isn't the star of utopia, but rather the freight train of fiscal ruin speeding toward our children and their children. Whether or not he can be a serious candidate remains to be seen, but to listen to him tonight was to be reminded of the characteristics implanted in our national DNA. His is the kind of blunt talk that resonates in the social circles I frequent, at least. And it is the kind of brutal honesty that would eviscerate President Professor in any debate. Trump is one to watch and, for other candidates, to take notes from.
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Comments :
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Bingo, Songwriter. I think many of the comments here are making a point that nags at me as well, i.e., bracing and invigorating as Trump's style may be, when we look at policy specifics, a Trump presidency becomes more problematic, which is how a Trump candidacy could ultimately crash. For example, potentially sparking a trade war at a time when inflation is a real threat could make the idea prohibitive.
By the same token, a bellicose approach can work preemptive magic. Remember when the Iranians had their Rodney King moment and released the hostages even as Ronald Reagan was being sworn in?
But it is nice, for once, to hear some straightforward talk. Of course, when contrasted with the smooth sophistry that passes for leadership from the current occupant of the Oval Office, the blunt-speak is that much more refreshing.
Jun '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
I don't know about the policies of a Trump presidency but we would have some great looking First Ladies.
Jul '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
I suspect Trump simply wants the title "Presidential Candidate" next to His ego.
May '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
My favorite Trump moment was when he rented out Madison Square Garden for a meeting of all his creditors. They filled up a good portion of the seats. He basically said, look, if you try and get your money now, it's going to be split so many ways you'll be lucky to see a penny. Gimme some time. Looking around the arena, they gave him more time.
Jul '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Frankly, I can stand either one of those guys. It is very easy to bluster when you have no responsibility. I think we saw enough of that with Obama preelection. The assumption of the reins of power has a very sobering effect. Trump has never been in a position where his choices were a matter of life and death. He hasn't a clue. He is a demagogue, and we have seen far too many of them. We need someone far less inclined to posture and more used to actual action. I would put Col. Allen West well ahead of Trump. West is a proven leader and a man of integrity. It is for sure that if he chose to run it wouldn't be simply an ego trip.
Jul '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Oh, yeah, Dave, your opening lines were pure poetry, some of the best prose writing I have seen in a long time.
Re: Playing the Trump Card
I will add this Tweet from Ricochet contributor/provocateur Mike Murphy without comment:
Sep '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Blue Yeti: I will add this Tweet from Ricochet contributor/provocateur Mike Murphy without comment: · Apr 1 at 12:25pm
Edited on Apr 01 at 12:28 pm
How does he know? Because Trump won't take Mike Murphy's calls...
Oct '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Does he still have good relations with Marla Maples?
Jul '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Did that actually happen? 'Cause it's an awesome story. I've always cordially despised the guy, but he has a gift for theatrics.
My favorite Trump moment is when the USFL won its anti-trust suit against the NFL and was awarded $1.
Oct '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Blue Yeti: I will add this Tweet from Ricochet contributor/provocateur Mike Murphy without comment: · Apr 1 at 12:25pm
Edited on Apr 01 at 12:28 pm
Patrick ruffini is now working for Donald Trump!
May '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Trump has teetered on the edge of bankruptcy too many times to trust him with the keys. But it would be entertaining has heck and would get a lot more people to pay attention and consider Obama from a perspective other than the one presented every day by the media.
Nov '10
Re: Playing the Trump Card
Plus, his 3 children by Ivana turned out awfully well- no Paris Hiltons or Patrick Kennedys there!