The GOP powerbrokers are beyond upset, they are apoplectic. Last month, their favored candidate, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, announced he’s running for president, but he was immediately overshadowed by Donald Trump, who officially entered the race the next day.
Ever since then, it has been all Trump, all the time. From his bold statements to his refusal to apologize, he has dominated media coverage, pushing Bush and the others to the back pages. One day Trump is being blasted by Hispanic groups and business leaders for his illegal immigration comments and the next day he is being pilloried by the RNC for his remarks about U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ).
Before the McCain firestorm dies down, Trump is creating a new controversy by releasing the cell phone number of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). This was retaliation for Graham calling Trump a “jackass,” even though several years ago the senator begged Trump to help him get on Fox News.
The week ended with Trump telling Anderson Cooper of CNN that the public doesn’t trust the media and then visiting the border and bringing attention to his favorite issue. Through it all, he has been several steps ahead of his opponents, while creating a bond with conservative voters who have been looking for a champion.
Conservatives have been searching for a candidate who will not apologize or let the media and the captains of political correctness dictate the debate. Simultaneously, Trump is at war with the GOP establishment, the media, and old guard Republican politicians, all groups that conservatives hate. While the battles continue, Trump is surging in the polls and now has a double digit lead over Bush, his nearest GOP challenger.
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Even with his lead, Trump is still blasting his fellow presidential candidates such as former Texas Governor Rick Perry. Perry believes Trump is a “cancer” on conservatism, while Trump basically called Perry an imbecile who tries to look smarter by wearing glasses. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter labelled Trump’s fellow candidates “midgets” and with the exception of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), all of them have joined in the Trump bashing and lost conservative support as a result.
Every day it is a new assault against Trump, who keeps fighting back and having fun. He is also attacking smug “conservative” pundits like George Will and Charles Krauthammer, who are appalled at Trump and his campaign. These elitists don’t realize that millions of conservatives are disgusted that the GOP is controlled by a moderate, “country club” wing and are ready to bolt the party if it continues.
Sadly, GOP powerbrokers are not getting the message. At the recent Republican Governor’s Conference, party bigwigs conspired to keep Trump, the leading candidate, out of the upcoming presidential debates. They hoped to convince other candidates such as Bush and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to boycott the debates if Trump participates. Eventually, the harebrained plan was rejected, but only after it was leaked to the media.
This demonstrates how the GOP establishment is afraid of Trump, who is so wealthy that he does not need their money. If these Republican Party officials continue to insult Trump and his supporters they are almost guaranteeing that he will run in the 2016 presidential race as an Independent.
If that happens, many conservatives will vote for Trump over the GOP nominee if it is someone like Bush, a Democrat lite. As an Independent, Trump will do better than Ross Perot in 1992. He may not win, but he will impact the race.
It is up to “geniuses” who control the Republican Party, do they just want to keep control of the party or do they actually want to win the general election?
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