By the Numbers
Trump for President in 2012: A Mockery of Democracy?
By Tom Copeland
Only in America can these things happen. A billionaire real estate mogul who amassed unbelievable fortunes in the 1970’s New York City real estate boom who goes on to build the world’s most lavish hotels and resorts, write tons books and memoirs, and star in his own hit television realty-show competition that perpetuates the eccentric, cocky attitude of un-apologetic, ruthless businessman flirts with the idea of the presidency.
Now, I love America dearly. In fact, every day that I read more and more about the social revolutions sweeping Middle Eastern dictatorships and the absolute horrors these leaders have exacted on their own people, I thank God I live in a country that allows me to start and run my own successful business, help me pay my way through college, and cherish a series of fundamental rights that includes a provision for free speech, allowing me to pen and publish this very article.
And I especially appreciate the right to vote and the rights of citizens to run for publicly elected office. But just because we can run for public office doesn’t mean we should. So I’m skeptically (and even so too are some supporters of the Tea Party, a group Trump most closely aligns himself with when interviewed by reporters this past weekend at a rally in Boca Raton he spoke at) questioning The Donald’s motives.
Is Trump flirting with a potential presidential run because he understands politics and because of his decorated experience in public office? I think not. Is he considering a run because he passionately cares about foreign policy, protecting and serving the American people and our interests, and all of the issues our country faces today (budget deficits, immigration reform, education, etc.)? Almost certainly not!
So why on earth is Donald Trump considering running for the highest elected office in our country? Well…he hasn’t said. It’s all speculation at this point. But he’s made a few remarks in rally speeches the last few weeks that may indicate why he’s launched this seemingly impulsive “campaign”, and why he likely wouldn’t win anyway.
1. He simply hates President Obama and Democrats
Despite widespread discrediting by Hawaiian officials, investigators, past and present colleagues, close friends, family, and even an actual hospital birth record, Trump triumphantly claims Barack Obama was not born in the US. It’s a common political attack Republicans have used for short-term gains in notoriety and publicity since the President first announced his intent to run in 2007. So instead of spending his time drafting concrete plans and taking a stance of serious issues, Trump would rather be gossiping to drum up attention and popularity among his constituents.
2. Celebrities don’t make great politicians
I would guess like a lot of other Americans, I’m getting burnt out on the celebrity-turned-political figure and vice versa thing. I just don’t understand why these hoards of celebrities and private businessmen, movie starts, and the like want to run for public office. Is it the power and fame that comes along with the job? Are they just bored? Either way, I think Americans, when it comes time for elections, will want serious, experienced leadership to emerge before the 2012 Presidential Primaries.
3. Does anyone actually like Donald Trump?
Now when I say this, what I really mean is whether or not the average American views Donald Trump favorably. His ideology is skewed way to the right as an ultra-conservative, and represents a small minority of people. He sports an infamous and tremendously awful toupee, and literally embodies the epiphany of a completely arrogant, jerk-of-a-tyrant-businessman (although I don’t think anyone is his circle would ever say that). He’s incredibly loud and aggressive in just about everything he does and always has been; and I think that turns the majority of Americans off.
Frankly, Donald Trump is just not that popular. Consider this: he launched a website earlier this month he called Should Trump Run. In a poll offering the same question of the website’s namesake, only 73,400 people have said yes, representing a minuscule fraction of the total US voting population. In contrast, 5,700 people said no, but of course this is The Donald’s website – it’s written by him, for him.
Look, I agree that Donald Trump is an incredible success story (although his father was a wealthy real estate developer too), and he’s a very successful businessman. But it just scares me a bit that just because he’s so rich, he obviously thinks (and has outright said) he would be better than everyone else at their jobs in Washington.
I don’t think he would win; it would make more sense that eventually, voters on both sides of the aisle won’t take him seriously. But still, in a state where we just elected another shady billionaire businessman who has no experience in public office whatsoever, I’ll admit I’m nervous about the prospect of a Donald Trump Presidency in 2012.
Tom is a freelance web developer, professional content writer, and owner of Bullworthy, a web services firm. Tom helps small businesses create a powerful, branded presence on the web. Bullworthy specializes in building web assets using WordPress development from their West Palm Beach offices.