What is it with TRUMP? Even friends I though were normal are saying they like him. I need a.....

[Logical]

psychologist to explain to me why people like him.

He seems like a clueless idiot to me.

[hexola]

1. My take...but remember - its pretty early...

1. Familiar Television Personality, comfortable public speaker

2. Has not embraced the moralistic pandering typical of GOP Candidates.

3. Perception that his (supposed) business acumen will translate to polictical success.

4. Weak GOP field.

5. Weak DEM field

6. No one running on preserving the Obama prosperity.(HRC is - but bogged down with other issues) Typically the VP is the standard bearer. Not this time...so far.

7. Sanders not appealing to moderates. Perceived as anti-establishment.

[Brother Buzz]

8. That's the ballgame

[Logical]

37. Good points! Nt

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. As explained to me, He is a straight talking sociopath

He is not a clueless idiot. He knows exactly what he is doing.

[Logical]

31. Makes sense. nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Honestly? I think a chunk of this country is fed up with the status quo

but approaching it from different angles.

From the left, you have Bernie drawing unimaginable crowds this far out from the first caucus/primary and on the right, you see Trump surging in the polls every time he says something more egregious than his last comment.

The former is largely ignored by the media as 'fringe', while the latter is sucking all of the oxygen out of the room - but both are resonating with an energized base of support.

People are pissed and 2016 may just be the year that we truly "throw the bums out of office".

Sane style or Idiocracy style, its too soon to know, but its fascinating to watch the sea change rolling out.

[yeoman6987]

5. It is nice to see establishment on both sides struggling

Maybe this will teach them to listen to the American public....ha! I wish.

[VanillaRhapsody]

4. One word racism

Trump wins the "afraid of becoming the minority" demographic...

[EL34x4]

7. The question is...

...how large is this demographic?

[VanillaRhapsody]

11. VERY!

Most Racists will claim they are not.....but words dont change it.

Never met a racist, bigot or misogynist that will admit it...

[hexola]

12. What if Trump's flavor of racism...appeals to the black vote?

So far he seems to be going off on Mexicans, and immigration...

What if Trump can get the black vote?

He surely has some skeletons in his closet regarding comments on AAs.

Insurmountable...? We'll see.

[EL34x4]

14. I could see Trump appealing to younger black males.

He's rich, proud of it, brags about it. He's got swagger, beautiful women, all the good things in life. Contrast this to Mitt Romney. Ashamed of his wealth. Tried to hide it, downplay it. Romney was the archetypical white-bread country club Republican. Trump is the lyrics in a hip-hop song.

And then another ugly truth, there's no great love between the African-American and Hispanic communities.

[hexola]

18. Precisely - his tact could be...

Mexican immigrants are taking YOUR (AAs) jobs!

[VanillaRhapsody]

24. Notgunnahappen..

Wishful thinking of Sanders supporters....who would even think of this in thier quest to take down HRC.....just damn silly

[Logical]

32. So true. nt

[fredamae]

6. Trump is a Damned GOOD

Snake Charmer....and snake oil sales have Never been higher.
He has spent his life selling shit to people.

[EL34x4]

9. Trump is many things, but I wouldn't call him a "clueless idiot"

You don't become a multi-billionaire by being an idiot.

He knows exactly what he's doing, and what he's doing right now is causing white-knuckled panic throughout the Republican establishment.

Gotta admit, it's fun to watch.

[840high]

40. You bet - great fun.

[riderinthestorm]

10. My staunch republican mother likes him because he says the stuff "everyone's" thinking

but are too "PC" to say out loud.

[AwareOne]

13. We have a shallow, vapid

ignorant electorate who like to vote for people they see on TV like Arnold Schwarzenegger , Jesse Ventura and even Ronald Reagan.

[shanti]

21. ^^this^^

and it's appalling.

[davidn3600]

15. People want something different than typical career politicians

Many of these candidates have been running for president their whole lives. Their words and speeches are all carefully crafted. Their positions are based on polls and focus groups. Their strategy is based on capturing certain demographics. People are tired of the same old scripted puppet show every 4 years.

Trump comes along and is absolutely none of that and doesn't care what he says or what people say about him.

[Adsos Letter]

19. I think you've put your finger on it. n/t

[Depaysement]

16. He acts strong, tough and certain

He articulates answers to problems. Many people are tired of whining, divided government, corruption, "can't do" attitude. They want problems solved and not excuses. They want someone with answers, not more questions and roadblocks.

That's why he appeals to some people, I think.

People don't know the half of it with this guy. When all that comes out, he may be done.

[hexola]

17. Dismissing Trump proved to be a fatal mistake for the GOP...

Let's face it - its over for the GOP race.

Trump will be the candidate.

Let's not make the same mistake.

Even worse - the DEMs still have to duke it out amongst themselves - while Trump is already campaigning against the DEMs.

[Logical]

30. I wonder if he can maintain the lead. nt

[MohRokTah]

20. Idiocracy was a prophecy.

That's what's up with Trump.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

22. He's certainly not an idiot, but...

...he is marketing to that half of our population and throwing in a little un-PC racism to seal the deal.

[Mass]

23. No, just a megalomaniac with a great understanding of marketing/media and a media that is in for

ratings.

Sadly, the mix is explosive. He is basically appealing to those same people who are fascinated by the Apprentice and other TV reality shows like that.

[hexola]

25. Sadly - that might be good enough to win...

Who's going to beat him...someone with a LESSER "understanding of marketing/media and a media"???

Explosive is right...and I fear the pin has been pulled...

[Mass]

29. Sadly, some in the media, including liberals, are falling for it and describing

how Trump is different as if whatever he believes and intend to do what he says.

The man is not even truthful about college or where whether he goes to church or not and we are supposed to believe him?

[hexola]

33. Who gives a crap about platitudes?

Nobody...and that's part of his appeal...

fucker...he'll take the GOP...

Im going to pause my DU activity...

Im not for this guy - but nobody is else is ringing the bell as loud as DT...

My own posts...are hypocrisy...Fuck!!!

Trapped...now what...?

GOP field - sucks...DEMS...Bernie? Like - but not gonna do it.

HRC...fucked...she can't win - and I still wish for a better candidate

I never wanted to play nepos politics...that's for BUSH'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what's her game...?

[doc03]

26. I have noticed the same. Could he be the antichrist

we have been warned of? I am serious.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

27. Look at Arnie Schwarzenegger

It's all about reality TV and movies. People in this country are so brain-washed by TV and garbage that they soak it up.

[hexola]

34. And?

Now what?

[arcane1]

28. Television n/t

[hexola]

35. Codecension to the masses will fail...

We all have TV...internet...whatever...

The "dumber than us" angle is a no-start.

[oberliner]

36. He doesn't "sound like a politician" when he talks

I think that's what people like about him.

Plus they watched The Apprentice.

And they think a "rich businessman" can make America rich or something.

[tymorial]

38. I believe a lot of his popularity has to do with the fact that he doesn't mince words.

Trump tells you exactly what he thinks and doesn't backtrack when he is called out for being rude, brash, bigoted etc. He is at least honest with his opinions and given how easily our politicians (on both sides quite frankly) obfuscate and lie, it is rather refreshing in a sort of I need to take a shower now that I've said that way.

[840high]

41. +1

[footinmouth]

39. I am normal, a die hard Democrat and I like him

That being said, I am absolutely NOT planning to vote for him.

1) Even though I don't necessarily like what he is saying, he is saying it loud enough that he's rendered the other 16 pretty much dead in the water. We won't have to waste a lot of time and money taking them out, Trump is doing it for us.

2) He's not a puppet to be manipulated and ordered around by the Koch Brothers and other large donors.

3) He doesn't appear to be a bible thumper or beholden to the gun lobby

We are retired and have a 36 yr old son living with us. 2 registered Democrats and 1 registered Republican. We all like him and we all plan to support the Democratic nominee, whomever that may be.

Just don't assume that those who profess to "like" Trump will be voting for him.