Even as Donald Trump seems poised to win the Republican primaries, many in the media continue to doubt whether he is a plausible candidate, particularly in the general election. Personally, this member of the media will do so no longer; Trump has won the coveted endorsement of one-man-boyband Aaron Carter.
“Does America want to have someone who follows for president or someone who leads?” so mused Carter on Twitter on Feb. 27 in his endorsement of Trump.
Carter knows a thing or two about leadership. The singing sensation not only had the “bright idea” to throw the “party of the year,” he had the wisdom and fortitude to pull it off (although the juice stain on his mother’s “favorite cushion” did result in his getting grounded). We need that kind of leadership, and partying sensibility, in the White House.
Pundits and politicos doubted that Trump could come this far. In the words of Aaron Carter’s slamming 2001 hit “That’s How I Beat Shaq:” “Announcers were shocked, couldn’t believe it was real.” How wrong they were.
I admit that I, too, had long doubted Trump’s electability. General election polling has consistently shown that Trump will probably lose against Democrats. In polling, Hillary tends to beat Trump by a hair, while Bernie beats him handily in poll after poll. At a predictive analytical level, it seems very unlikely that Trump will beat anyone after the Republican primaries. But Aaron Carter believes in Trump. Can I really doubt the judgment of a man who beat Shaq?
Yes, Trump had some hiccups early in his candidacy. But, like Aaron Carter, Trump has been “working on his game.”
Trump has learned a great deal about how to run a campaign since he burst back onto the political scene last summer. In June 2015, the reality show host was caught paying actors to attend his campaign announcement. That somewhat lessened the impact of his racially charged message. Thankfully, Trump’s rallies are now filled with real, grassroots supporters, allowing his racially charged messages to go unhampered.
Trump fosters a genuine connection with his audiences, often speaking off-the-cuff and joking around. This authenticity stands in contrast to the standard, establishment politician strategy of “preparing,” “thinking things through” or “thinking.” Trump doesn’t have time for that gas and neither do his supporters. They expect and deserve the attention of a candidate who really cares about them. As Aaron Carter puts it: “Every night, there’s a new crowd, but it’s always you.”
Many in the media have suggested that Trump has a ceiling of support. In other words, his approximate support base of 40 percent of Republican voters is all he can achieve. This was always a questionable prediction, made more so by Trump’s continued primary wins and more still by the endorsement of Aaron freaking Carter. Trump and Aaron both know that “this feeling’s only gettin’ stronger.”
Other candidates have expressed their concerns that Trump may soon be the Republican presidential nominee. Said Ted Cruz, Republican senator and rival candidate: “I thought I had the lead but then he started scoring mad points on me.” Wait, no, sorry, that was Aaron Carter. The point is, people are starting to accept that Trump is a formidable opponent.
Despite his popularity among primary voters, Trump is despised by the Republican establishment. In an election year where voters on both sides of the aisle are frustrated with their parties to the point of cynicism, that is no mark against Trump. Still, serious doubt remains as to whether or not enough Republican politicians, donors and activist groups will rally behind Trump with sincerity or efficacy if he does win their party’s nomination. I once shared this doubt. Now, I know that Trump will have no trouble with his party, as he has won the endorsement of a man for whom “life is a party.”
