USA - I do realize this is too early to write this piece since November is a long way down the road, but since as a ‘progressive conservative’, I believe it is my duty to warn you of what is in store for you, my democratic progressive friends in November. No No, I am not Paul, the Octopus- but then there is something about Trump that is beyond general notion of political understanding. Trump is not a Regan, but he is TRUMP. And that should be worrisome for the elders at Democratic Party.
To be reasonable, there are two levels of calculation here: Many progressive friends of mine have suggested, in Machiavellian fashion, that they’re rooting for Donald to win the Republican nomination so that he can cause the GOP to self-destruct and guarantee a Democratic triumph in November. But cynically gaming the GOP primary process to boost Democratic odds in the general election is a treacherous and foolhardy gambit.
As unpopular as Trump is among the general electorate right now, he is just one major terrorist attack or economic downturn away from populism-driven victory in November. When it comes to trustfulness and core presidential values, Hillary has got equally ghastly figures to combat with.
Reflect on this thought, in General Election; he can not only clinch on to the southern states strategically, but he will put into play the blue states. His positions are all over the place- from extreme right to extreme left. Trump will take a plethora of traditional Democrat blue collar votes as he speaks not only about limiting free trade, moreover speaks strongly against immigration.
His position on issues reflects the optimum permutation of a Pew Research paper. He is making all the good resonance- from Muslim ban to foreign and domestic policies to immigration - all the right noises general electorate wants to hear. Hillary can always rely on the American African votes- but probably with Ben Carson by his side (perhaps on a VP ticket- sources close to me suggest his Super PAC is preparing for his VP run), he could very well dent the AA firewall Hillary has built and fostered over the years.
I am not contemplating a severe dent, but even a swing of 10% of AA votes from Hillary Camp would cost her this election. Trump will not only hold on to his old White base but bring in young Sander white voters into the Trump Coalition. The splendor of ‘Trumpification’ is that people connect with him emotionally as a winner for one or two stances of his and just discount the position they are scratchy with. And that is a YUGE electorate.
As David Plouffe, the mastermind of Obama’s victory in 2008, puts it – Democrats need to worry about Trump as a nominee- Bernie has pushed Hilary to the left of her natural stance- it is time she moves back to the center before Trump occupies that position.
It is incumbent on those who care not only about progressive foundations or conservative causes, but Human values, to take every possible step to deny Donald any further incremental progress towards clutching power. I articulate this to the progressives in particular: Do not fall victim to the blithe postulation that Donald will just destroy the Republican Party for you. He is perfectly capable of destroying America as well, should the wrong thing happen at the wrong time.
Donald is a wizard of the worldly game when it comes to attracting media attention. In his current role as a front-running presidential candidate, this mastery has indeed taken on a malevolent trait. When you shut down his rallies, you are playing into his hands. The best possible protest against him is to vote against him, whether it is in the primary or general election- not vote for him.
The bliss of unknown: It is better to face a known predictable enemy in form of Cruz than to wander into unchartered ocean of ‘Trump.
(Jacob Parackal is a management consultant and COO at Select My Tutor- In other words a Troublemaker. He is a Rubio Republican. The views expressed in the article are his own and does not reflect the stand of Network18)
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