Even before he tried his hand at politics, "The Donald" always had a very canny way of knowing just how to manipulate the media, based in large part on skillful manipulation of his own self-created self-image, which is very much like that of a movie star.

"Professional politicians" claim to be mystified as to exactly why he ("of all people ...") seems to be unstoppable in the party-specific opinion polls that track such things. The "professionals" aren't laughing anymore, because it's not a joke anymore. "But ... why?"

I suggest that you need look no farther than one of Donald's most brilliant media inventions: The Apprentice.

Anyone who signed-up for that show had to have a thick skin, because a fundamental premise of the show was that, at any point, The Donald could walk up to you and say: "You're Fired!"

Bingo.

That is the thing that a helluva lot of American voters desperately want to be able to say to their elected (and appointed) officials: "arbitrarily, immediately, 'don't say a word just get out."

This is the dynamic that, I predict, one day will convene a Constitutional Convention (to do the dirty-work that the US Congress obviously never will ...), and that will also ... "with the legislatures of two-thirds of the Several States concurring" ... enact many of the perhaps-quite-sweeping Amendments that this Convention might propose ... and then, make them stick.

The dynamic that "the people of the country in fact can have 'change,' even when 'professional' (sic ...) politicians have made it their business, for oh-so long, to deny it." The dynamic that many of those people have become derelict in their duties.

The fly in the ointment, of course, is that "the President of the United States, whoever s/he is, cannot actually do that." (The President has unlimited military power, but a virtually-neutered civil power.) Nevertheless, angry and frustrated voters might not care. They just might elect(!) "a symbol of a savior." (Then, maybe crucify him? Ouch.)

Personally, I think that "The Donald" would be a singularly unhappy Officeholder, if he should somehow manage to get it, and for his own sake I therefore hope he doesn't. However, I find it extremely revealing that he just might!

The notion that politics is a form of entertainment is inimical to the polity.

Then you shouldn't vote for him.

I really never get why people complain about candidates running for office and also complain who wins.

Just vote and be part of the process. If you win or loose it's just for a few years. Then start over.

Maybe making a complaint based on some practical examples of a persons stance might make the complaint more realistic.

Oh, I wouldn't vote for any of 'em. I'm simply observing where I think a lot of his popularity is coming from.

As I said, I think he would be positively miserable in the actual job. "Be careful what you wish for."

I have no idea why anyone would want the job.

I do respect that Trump has our Cruzed Cruz in some ways. Being bold and taking a stance is what is driving his campaign. (my unskilled opinion)

In a similar way Bernie has taken his own path. He has out left'ed the left.


It is America and generally we do want people to be bold.

Indeed. And you say this about a society whose motto for the last 15 years seems to have been, "Be very afraid"?

There's no business like show business like no business I know.

You remember what Uncle Joe said about voting, "its not the vote that count, it's who counts the vote"

In the United States the rule of law, and with it liberty, have been lost. With few exceptions, Americans are too ignorant and unconcerned to do anything about it. The longer the rule of law is set aside, the more difficult it is to reestablish it. Sooner or later the rule of law ceases even as a memory. No candidate in the upcoming election has made the rule of law an issue.
Americans have become a small-minded divided people, ruled by petty hatreds, who are easily set against one another and against other peoples by their rulers.-Paul Craig Roberts

Everyone knows if it was not for corporate news agencies. The Donald would be a moot point. Kinda like
watching The Jerry Springer network here in the states.

http://s16.postimg.org/jm2gtokad/image.jpg

Never forget "muscle-bound Uncle Sam," or Rosie the Riveter. N-e-v-e-r.

America will always surprise you.

I will disagree with cousinlucky and agree with rokytnji to this extent.

I don't think that the American people are inherently unconcerned.

Rather, I think that the horse-race election coverage favored by the media has convinced persons that the Presidential election is the only one that matters and that, once it is done, they can go back to living their lives, trying to scrape a living and take care of their kids, and shopping at Walmart because they can't afford to shop anywhere else.

Every election matters.

My Daddy taught me that voting is not a right. It is a duty.

Both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are riding the crest of " dis-satisfaction " the United States public has against " the government " in Washington, D.C.!! President Kennedy dared to " buck the system " and he was killed for it! The wants and needs of the United States voting public always take a back burner to the wants and needs of " the powers that be " running everything!! Those powers are not worried about getting rid of anyone on this planet that gets in their way!!

But surely there are candidates you want to vote against?

Dear LQ members " How many people do you know that are better qualified to lead your country than your countries present leadership "??
Here in the United States our presidential candidates are usually chosen in smoke filled rooms full of rich, and very rich, people; Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are not " establishment picks " for president!! They are capturing the interest of the voting public because the United States voting public is way beyond being tired of enduring the ongoing continual every day shafting by their so called political leadership!!