Trump’s character rubs off on other GOP candidates

The Republican frontrunner’s big mouth has his party reeling

Donald+Trump+hours+after+announcing+his+candidacy+for+president+in+Des+Moines%2C+IA.

Courtesy of John Pemble

Donald Trump hours after announcing his candidacy for president in Des Moines, IA.

Geoffrey Young, Opinion Editor, Scottsdale Chronicle

Pull any diehard Donald Trump supporter to the side and ask them, “What is Trump’s appeal?”  They’d follow up with something along the lines of his “say-it-like-it-is,” no-holds-barred approach to politics. Trump just says it like it is, like a politician should. But that appears to be his only appeal.

At least I assume so, as honest politicians are demanded from both sides. However, etiquette, governing experience, and “class” would be welcome additions. Bill Maher, the controversial self-described libertarian and atheist host of HBO’s Real Time, surprised many when he said the following after Trump’s visit to Iowa.

“Even the Evangelicals want to be called on their shit. They are desperate to have somebody lead them, somebody say, ‘you know what, I just don’t bend to your bullshit. And Donald Trump, I gotta say, I don’t agree with him on a lot…but I kinda get him. We kinda been doing the same thing.”

Trump’s attitude and honesty are worth commendation, regardless of political affiliation. But that’s it, commendation. I’ve worked with plenty of narcissistic, uninformed loudmouths and not once have I ever considered them presidential material. It’s one thing to support border control; it’s another to say, “I’d have Mexico pay for it.” And when he’s not shoveling out incorrect immigration rates, once stating to believe it to be “30 million,” he’d say he’ll hire “someone.”

You don’t say, Donald. Might I suggest Clay Aiken or even Poison’s Bret Michaels? (When in doubt, I’d trust season five of Celebrity Apprentice.) Think about it – Dee Snider could build our wall.

We are now 16 months away from the election and Trump is slaughtering the competition. His closest competitors are Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, and Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard CEO (because governing experience is overrated, I suppose.)

But the effect Trump has had on his fellow candidates is both laughable and frightening all at the same time. For example, Carson now supports strengthening our Mexico border, much like Trump.

I’m sure it’s been seared into your memory, but allow me to remind you of the blunder that Trump originally campaigned on:

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”

Put aside the lunacy that Trump believes every illegal immigrant is a rapist. Trump believes Mexico is sending them.

But Carson takes it up a notch offering the idea of using controlled drone strikes to destroy caves at the Mexico border. Obviously, drones are, like, way cooler than those smaller explosions.

Not to be out “trumped” Donald, suggested the removal of the 14th amendment, which grants children born in the United States of either native or foreign parents their natural born citizenship.

However, I’m indifferent with Trump, but it’s always funny until someone gets hurt – or loses their citizenship.