There’s no trumping Trump
Donald Trump truly appears to be “unstumpable” as the number of his supporters continues to increase within the Republican party, following two very strong showings in the Iowa and New Hampshire Republican primaries. While a candidate succeeding is not necessarily surprising, the fact that Trump has been able to survive, plan, and use negative media attention as a tool for growth is remarkable within itself.
Unlike other candidates Trump has been able to skip a debate, participate in several flame wars with popular conservative pundits on twitter, and make extraordinary claims such as making Mexico pay for a border wall while dodging negative media attacks and still coming out on top. While he seems to be a billionaire business mogul first and foremost he was, or is, a popular TV personality who understands the way in which rankings and public opinion are shaped. His radical statements bring him the media attention he needs for a strong campaign.
After receiving a whopping 35 percent of the votes in the new Hampshire Republican primary, compared with Kasich’s 16 percent or Ted Cruz’s 12 percent, Trump has secured himself a position in the lead with a solid 18 delegates. Despite being decried by some as an early peaking candidate who would not last, Trump is here to stay.
There are many Republicans who are still holding back on supporting Trump. If he has the following to bring a Republican presidential victory, then the skeptics will have to accept and use Trump for the overall goals of the party.
Trump’s surprising turn-outs aren’t coming from nowhere, though, and it’s not a coincidence that they are generally working class Republicans.
Primarily, Trump reflects American idealism. To Republican voters, he’s a self-made businessman. He’s not a career politician and he relies on himself – or at least carries the illusion. This makes him an idol to his poor, base voters.
The working class bulk of Trump’s supporters have all lived through the 2008 recession. They understand and fear losing their jobs. As such, they’re protective of their work, and that paranoia extends to competition.
Large groups of lower class immigrants are seen as a threat to poor Republicans. Barring all Muslims from entering the country and building a wall across the Mexican American border are extensions of this. However, Republican candidates would never openly express such views. They fear the negative press these opinions would bring them. But Trump doesn’t care about negative press; he relishes in it.
Trump is “unstumpable” because he’s fearless. He’ll say anything to appeal to voters. He’ll drag his name through mud as long as people follow him–and they do.
