Trump is a rhetorical master. Paul is barely hanging on. It's obvious and it only makes Trump's comments sharper. Rand is positioned at the far left on stage--not a good place for someone trying to replace Obama.
Donald is in the middle, which is where most Americans' political sensibilities reside. His tone is commanding. He sounds sure of himself, and despite his antics Americans believe, as they do all of the promises of politicians in the election cycle, that he's different. Change the word from politician to candidate, and Americans transferr all kinds of faith to people they ordinarily do not trust. If the candidate repeats the same message, which they do, they go from being repetitive to being consistent, which is a virtue. And this phony virtue causes the audience to forget that politicians lie. So Trump appears consistent; it's just that he's consistently bad for any economist paying attention. His message of "Make America great again" is a refrain on Obama's "Bush is to blame" and an attack on Obama.
When Rand called Trump's tone "sophomoric quality that is entertaining," it shows how lost Rand is. The election cycle is entertaining. It's reality TV. It's The Apprentice. It's The Apprentice!!! Sophmoric? All the better!! It's more entertaining, are you kidding me!!! High school levels? Petty is where it's at!! So Rand has lost his message and is fading into oblivion fast. Who knows, Rand might accept an offer to be the Surgeon General in a Trump administration.
Trump's comment at the end about Rand's looks was also masterful. Trump insulted Rand while using respectful language.
There was a very deferential tone at the debate toward Trump, toward the center.
Trump is acting to protect his anti-establishment turf on the Republican stage. He believes (falsely, of course) that Rand is the one other candidate that is vying for this constituency.
Rand is what stands between Trump (in his mind) and a monopoly on this position during the primaries.
Most businessmen understand that squashing the competition is easier when the competition is small. Trump has to understand that this is his moment in the sun, and it will be more difficult later. He could see Rand as one of the potential "hangers-on". He may not see Rand as winning, but he could still be a thorn in the side later.
Rand did a great job responding in an intellectual way by painting Trump as an impulsive and sophomoric lout who is not to be trusted with control of US nuclear weapons. Rand won that confrontation hands down!
I agree. Rand said everyone is sick of Trump making fun of peoples' appearances. Demonstrating his advanced skills at trash talking, Trump responding by implying that Rand is ugly.
Trump is a rhetorical master. Paul is barely hanging on. It's obvious and it only makes Trump's comments sharper. Rand is positioned at the far left on stage--not a good place for someone trying to replace Obama.
ReplyDeleteDonald is in the middle, which is where most Americans' political sensibilities reside. His tone is commanding. He sounds sure of himself, and despite his antics Americans believe, as they do all of the promises of politicians in the election cycle, that he's different. Change the word from politician to candidate, and Americans transferr all kinds of faith to people they ordinarily do not trust. If the candidate repeats the same message, which they do, they go from being repetitive to being consistent, which is a virtue. And this phony virtue causes the audience to forget that politicians lie. So Trump appears consistent; it's just that he's consistently bad for any economist paying attention. His message of "Make America great again" is a refrain on Obama's "Bush is to blame" and an attack on Obama.
When Rand called Trump's tone "sophomoric quality that is entertaining," it shows how lost Rand is. The election cycle is entertaining. It's reality TV. It's The Apprentice. It's The Apprentice!!! Sophmoric? All the better!! It's more entertaining, are you kidding me!!! High school levels? Petty is where it's at!! So Rand has lost his message and is fading into oblivion fast. Who knows, Rand might accept an offer to be the Surgeon General in a Trump administration.
Trump's comment at the end about Rand's looks was also masterful. Trump insulted Rand while using respectful language.
There was a very deferential tone at the debate toward Trump, toward the center.
Trump is acting to protect his anti-establishment turf on the Republican stage. He believes (falsely, of course) that Rand is the one other candidate that is vying for this constituency.
ReplyDeleteRand is what stands between Trump (in his mind) and a monopoly on this position during the primaries.
It doesn't seem to make sense to me, strategically speaking, that he bent over to swat someone polling at 1%.
DeleteI think it's personal myself.
No reason why it can't be both.
DeleteMost businessmen understand that squashing the competition is easier when the competition is small. Trump has to understand that this is his moment in the sun, and it will be more difficult later. He could see Rand as one of the potential "hangers-on". He may not see Rand as winning, but he could still be a thorn in the side later.
Rand did a great job responding in an intellectual way by painting Trump as an impulsive and sophomoric lout who is not to be trusted with control of US nuclear weapons. Rand won that confrontation hands down!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Rand said everyone is sick of Trump making fun of peoples' appearances. Demonstrating his advanced skills at trash talking, Trump responding by implying that Rand is ugly.
DeleteWe've been seduced by the Trump strategy of emphasizing style over substance. Rand did not succumb.
ReplyDelete