It Is Happening As I Said It Would!
As I have warned countless times here, and in my book last summer, (example here) the press is starting to ratchet up the pressure on Trump; but only a tiny bit. The MSM, who have been carrying Trump since June, are almost 100% certain that he is going to be the nominee. So they feel confident enough to start tenderizing him.
In the last three interviews I've heard, the hosts are for the first time, pressing Trump to answer questions. The interview with Chris Matthews is one example. For months, when asked a tough question, Trump would meander through several disjointed thoughts, often falling back on how he built a great company. He kept a battery of stand-by distractors as well; look at my poll numbers, unfair, nice to me and believe me. The questioner might take a second stab at it and meet the same wall of mud. Then it would be on to the next question. But now, they are pressing until they get an answer. Matthews, who has a reputation as a hothead, effortlessly parried Trump’s non-answers until he got what he wanted - a predictably absurd response. They still haven't opened up with all guns. That will come in July. But they are working their way up to it.
Have no doubt, it will happen. And it will be ugly. Trump has only now started to be challenged. And these first few punches, on abortion, the "arm pulling incident" and nukes, are so general, so basic, he should have been able to swat them away like gnats - and he couldn't. He is not equipped. If the Donald thinks that having to follow party rules like everyone else is "very unfair", wait until someone asks him a question about something he didn't read on Twitter that day - and insists on a coherent answer!
I have been trying my best to warn people about this happening. But the parade marched on, everyone with big grins on their faces. The only times the grins would fade was when critics would point out Trump's obvious, fatal flaws. Then the drones would attack the messenger, just as Donald does; just as (not too ironically) the Clintons have always done. And the parade moves on again, never challenging, never questioning.
Mark my words, and you've been reading it here for months already: If Donald Trump is the Republican nominee, within one week he'll be interviewed. The interviewer will bring up a boatload of stuff networks have been sitting on since last year! The interviewer, whether it's Matt Lauer or Megyn Kelly or whoever, will twist the knife and not let up until Trump is left stammering with a confused, angry look on his face. And then it will be over. Worse, it will be pathetically easy to set Trump back on his heels like this, even for the most inexperienced reporter in the business.
Later, he'll complain that the question was "unfair", as is every question he can't answer. He'll say he was "treated very poorly" as he always does when challenged. But the media that carried him all this time, and for this very reason, will laugh loudly at him. There will be no suggestions that he may have a point, in that odd way Trump may accidentally hit on something. There will be only a bonfire of scorn and editorial ridicule.
Remember John McCain. At the time he was running for the presidency, he was one of the most respected politicians in the country. He was an institution. Remember also, the campaigns were only slightly more civil eight years ago. Throughout the primaries, McCain’s biggest sales lines were his ability to work across the aisle and how much the press loved him. He called it being a “maverick”. The press used the same term and spoke glowingly of him. Then he was nominated. From that day until November, he couldn’t have bought a break from the media for love or money. And his favorable ratings going into the general election towered over what Trump sees now. Shredding Trump in a general election will be child’s play.
These words are not written to diminish Trump’s competencies. Just as Ben Carson was a gifted surgeon, but lacked the wide-ranging understanding a strong executive needs, Trump has his own arsenal of talents. He is better suited for an environment where he demands unstintingly what quarry a marble casino floor comes from, then commits the money to do it. This is where he has always and correctly been driven by personal gain and profit. But he lacks the dispassion and the ability to go beyond self-interest required to be the President of the United States. Such attributes are antithetical to the person of Donald J. Trump. Further, he demonstrates no aptitude for complexity and nuance.
Donald Trump would be a disastrous nominee. First, because he is not the man his followers think he is. But secondly, because no one wants to see the moment I described earlier, whether it is in an interview or a debate. It would not only ensure a Clinton presidency, but it would be pathetic beyond words to witness.
Spare Trump the disgrace. Save the country from Clinton. Vote for somebody else; anybody else.
Matt Jordan is a travel writer, political commentator and author of 16 20 24. Get your SIGNED copy here!
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