Two sides of the Donald Trump phenomenon

Huffington Post online news service made this announcement:

"After watching and listening to Donald Trump . . . , we have decided we won't report on Trump's campaign as part of The Huffington Post's political coverage.  Instead, we will cover his campaign as part of our Entertainment section. Our reason is simple: Trump's campaign is a sideshow. We won't take the bait. If you are interested in what The Donald has to say, you'll find it next to our stories on the Kardashians and The Bachelorette."

On the other hand, some Republicans are taking him seriously -- as a big threat.   Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is one who is up for re-election in 2016 and has serious opposition from the right-wing base in Arizona.   McCain acknowledges that there is a very extreme element n the Republican party, and says that Donald Trump "fired up the crazies."

In a more supportive vein, some donors who have made financial contributions to Trump's campaign have other thoughts about him.  Acknowledging that he doesn't need the money, since his personal wealth could easily finance a major campaign, here's what two of them, who gave $250 each, have said:

Kinsey Craichy:  "I didn’t donate to him because he needed money.  I donated to him because he’s not afraid to speak the truth. . . .   I don't agree with everything he says, but what I do like is that he's not beholden to anybody."


Dennis Carreras:  "This guy has a history of getting things done. . . .  [He] doesn't need my money but I want to feel like I'm donating to a cause."

So there you have the two sides of the question about Donald Trump.  My thinking about him has evolved from "he's just a rich, loud-mouthed, blowhard clown" to taking the Donald Trump phenomenon seriously as a political force to be reckoned with.

I do not think he is qualified to be president, but he is portraying something that a lot of people are looking for.   Perhaps they see him as someone who could cut through the partisan gridlock and just "make things happen."   And not being beholden to anyone has to be attractive when it seems that the corporate lobbyists and wealthy donors have more influence than the needs of the people.

But would The Donald care about the needs of the people?    Would he be a bull in an china shop in international relations?   Do you want him to appoint Judge Judy to the Supreme Court?   To have his volatile temperament controlling the finger on the nuclear bomb button?

Ralph