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The problem with Trump, is he cares far too much about the Trump brand. He is not a credible candidate based on prior history IMO.
But can you really be sure of that? Don't get me wrong. I think he has about as much chance of being considered a credible candidate as I would--even though he has a hell of a lot more money than everybody I know put together--but who are we to question his motives or what he cares about?
For sure he gets terrible press and he's the celebrity everybody loves to hate. How much of it is true and how much is exaggeration or gossip just because he is a 'safe' and 'legal' target and punching bag? Do any of us really know? His TV shows pull great Nielson ratings and have helped to keep NBC on top of the ratings wars. If he really was so hated, would so many people watch?
I don't admire or not admire Donald Trump--am actually pretty neutral. But I sure don't watch programs by celebrities I don't like and I do watch Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice. My daughter-in-law said her entire college marketing classes watched it to get some insights into that aspect of business.
For business credentials, I would personally be more comfortable with a Mitt Romney type who has an obvious track record of problem solving and carries a whole lot less negative baggage than Trump does. And of course there are those who despise Trump and refuse to see anything good in him. And not all that many who see him as mostly good with nothing to criticize. But one thing I've never seen in him is that he is either close-minded or self-righteous himself.
Trump also has absolutely nothing to lose and isn't afraid to say what's on his mind. So I am curious about what he could bring to the debate. He might be exactly what the GOP needs to shake it up, break free of the PC straight jacket they put themselves into, and maybe jolt them into becoming more of what the people are looking for in a leader.
I don't know. But I'm interested to find out.
The biggest problem I have with Trump is the same one I have with Elon Musk, he has become rich by using taxpayer dollars (without recompense) to make his fortune. Trump did some good development work early in his career. Since then he has done only those things that will benefit his brand.
I have no doubt that he actually does care about this country. He could not have gotten to where he is now with any other system.
I have no doubt that he would be a fair manager, I agree Romney would be better, though he too has issues. I particularly despise the way Romney attacked his primary opponents....that exposed a vicious streak in him that told me a great deal about his character.
But ultimately, were it to come to it, in a choice of country over brand, Trump would choose his brand.
I don't know. I do know of what I have read and been told of a lot of really wonderful things he has done for people he didn't even know--all outside of the range of the cameras and the press. All in all there is no one single side to somebody like him. So I do wonder how much of the hype around him is class envy, how much is just mean gossip, how much is true, how much is real.
Would he put the Trump brand ahead of his country? I don't know enough about him to know. How do we know whether anybody we elect to public office puts country ahead of their own self-serving interests? I honestly can't think of a single one who ever demonstrated that though there have been many who have been accused of putting their self interests ahead of country.
I still think he may have something to offer whether or not he is considered a serious candidate by anybody other than himself.