08-15-2015, 03:33 PM
I don't know if Trump will burn out, but I hope his supporters will start pushing for some policy/solution outlines and some substance to support the bluster.
I've always found Trump amusing as a business person, celebrity and public figure. But, I wouldn't vote for the man to run the country for my own personal amusement. And, at the end of the day, I don't really think that 25% of Republican voters would either.
I suspect/guess that Trump's continued high ratings with Republicans signifies how disgruntled they are with their own party (and the political system in general), as much or more than it signifies a willingness to have Donald Trump in charge of the United States of America. Still, he did manage to surprise pundits by winning early majority support in Iowa, an evangelical state, so who knows? Anyway, I'm glad he and Bernie are shaking the systematic foundations of both parties and that people are listening and getting involved.
While Donald Trump as the President of the United States -- based on his campaign focus and style to-date -- is a very unwise and unappealing prospect to me, I think if he continues to maintain and grow his support, he should have a chance. I don't think he has a real chance though, because I don't believe he could get the required electoral college votes as either a Republican or Independent candidate.
In my opinion, the electoral college has become restrictive and antiquated in some ways. The founding fathers put the electoral college system in place for a couple of reasons, according to the Constitution: 1. back then, citizens throughout the country didn't readily have access to news and information outside of their locales and so the founding fathers wanted the ultimate voting decision to lie with learned and serious-minded men who were informed in regards to the presidential candidates and the issues; 2. the founding fathers, particularly Alexander Hamilton, figured that the general population is too easily influenced by style or fluff as opposed to capabilities and content (my paraphrase).
Point 1 is no longer an issue and I think that's a good reason to consider amending the Constitution to allow the popular vote to directly determine the President of the United States. However, in view of Donald Trump's current support levels, maybe point 2 is a valid one in support of keeping the electoral college?
Dick and I had a discussion here several years ago about the electoral college; I've found myself wondering lately where he'd stand in this 2016 race.
I've always found Trump amusing as a business person, celebrity and public figure. But, I wouldn't vote for the man to run the country for my own personal amusement. And, at the end of the day, I don't really think that 25% of Republican voters would either.
I suspect/guess that Trump's continued high ratings with Republicans signifies how disgruntled they are with their own party (and the political system in general), as much or more than it signifies a willingness to have Donald Trump in charge of the United States of America. Still, he did manage to surprise pundits by winning early majority support in Iowa, an evangelical state, so who knows? Anyway, I'm glad he and Bernie are shaking the systematic foundations of both parties and that people are listening and getting involved.
While Donald Trump as the President of the United States -- based on his campaign focus and style to-date -- is a very unwise and unappealing prospect to me, I think if he continues to maintain and grow his support, he should have a chance. I don't think he has a real chance though, because I don't believe he could get the required electoral college votes as either a Republican or Independent candidate.
In my opinion, the electoral college has become restrictive and antiquated in some ways. The founding fathers put the electoral college system in place for a couple of reasons, according to the Constitution: 1. back then, citizens throughout the country didn't readily have access to news and information outside of their locales and so the founding fathers wanted the ultimate voting decision to lie with learned and serious-minded men who were informed in regards to the presidential candidates and the issues; 2. the founding fathers, particularly Alexander Hamilton, figured that the general population is too easily influenced by style or fluff as opposed to capabilities and content (my paraphrase).
Point 1 is no longer an issue and I think that's a good reason to consider amending the Constitution to allow the popular vote to directly determine the President of the United States. However, in view of Donald Trump's current support levels, maybe point 2 is a valid one in support of keeping the electoral college?
Dick and I had a discussion here several years ago about the electoral college; I've found myself wondering lately where he'd stand in this 2016 race.