By Alex Geli and Kendal Phillips –
When you hear the word, “America,” usually the words, “freedom, pride, power” come to mind, but of late, one man has expressed his feelings, calling the United States the “whipping post,” and the “laughing stock” of the world. That man is fed up with the lack of respect that the rest of the world has given the US. Instead of complaining about the poor reputation of America, he is striving to make a change.
That man goes by the name of Donald J. Trump.
On October 5, 2010, the cat was let out of the bag when Trump expressed his thoughts about certain subjects along with saying he is “seriously” considering running for president in 2012. Nobody took it seriously enough until Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), along with big names like Ron Paul and Mitt Romney. There, Trump ended up dead last with Paul coming out victorious. 30% of Republicans fancied Paul and 23% went with Romney according to the presidential straw poll.
More than 10,000 people tuned in to every prospected Republican nominee bring their ideals and beliefs to light.
Paul laid out his beliefs – protecting civil liberties, halting the Patriot Act and restricting the US from getting involved in foreign affairs. The crowd obviously favored him as he was the recipient of nine, count them, nine standing ovations throughout his speech.
“The purpose of all political activity is to promote liberty, which comes from our Creator, not the government,” he said.
“The right answer is not to believe in European solutions. The right answer is to believe in America – to believe in free enterprise, capitalism, limited government, federalism.” That and healthcare reform were amongst Romney’s speech which awarded him the label, runner-up.
On Trump’s mind is China, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and President Barack Obama’s birth certificate. China really grinds Trump’s gears. He’s tired of China manipulating their currency and taking total advantage of the US’ efforts to rebuild China. OPEC also tweaks a nerve with Trump as they raise oil prices whenever they please.
“Nobody calls up OPEC and says, ‘That price better get lower, and it better get lower fast,” Trump stated.
Trump, like he’s said before, also expressed his doubts that Obama was actually born and raised in the US.
“The people that went to school with him, they never saw him,” he said, then going a step further, “They don’t know who he is.”
He didn’t spend much time on that and changed over to the other more important subjects.
His speech ended with a little something for viewers of all shapes and sizes to ponder about on their ride home.
“If I get elected, this country will be respected again,” he said.
Other key contenders that Trump will likely need to keep a close eye on are Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, who both rejected an invitation to speak at the convention.
Palin is a mainstream name after John McCain picked her to be his running mate in 2008. Huckabee also gained notoriety after running for president in the same year. Finances forced him to drop out of the race early, handing over the republican nomination to McCain.
Without even showing up, Palin still brought in 3 percent of the vote and Huckabee 2 percent – both more than Trump.
“The Donald” may have been off to a rough start. After all, he has no political experience, and as the man himself said, “Ron Paul has zero chance of getting elected.” After the 2008 elections, where Paul scored percentages no more than single digits, that quote may be true.
Paul, Romney, Palin, Huckabee – there’s one name missing from the candidates that Trump will have to compete with. President Barack Obama will surely be Trump’s biggest competitor if he makes it to the primaries – that is, if the people are happy with their leader.
Troops out of Iraq but into Afghanistan, ObamaCare, admittance into foreign affairs such as Moammar Gadhafi leading Libya into the ground, Baracketology – is America happy with Obama’s performance in his leading role as Commander-in-Chief?
According to Rasmussen Reports, 24 percent of Americans strongly approve where 42 percent disapprove of Obama since being inaugurated, giving him an approval rating of -18; 43 percent approve of the handling of the Libya situation but only 27 percent think Libya is a vital security interest at stake; 58 percent favor repealing the national healthcare law; 69 percent of Americans remain “somewhat angry” at the current policies of the government.
Though not extremely swayed either way, Obama is struggling to maintain his grip on the American people. In January of 2009, the president had 65 percent of his country’s citizens behind his back – cheering him on, not with a knife in their hands. Between January, 2009, and August, 2009, his approval rating dipped down drastically. It dropped from percentages in the mid-60’s to mid-40’s. Since then, it has steadily remained the same, with the population’s approval of the first African-American president not exceeding 55 percent.
With a possible window of opportunity, Trump can take advantage of his unique qualities to gain an edge over the more stereotypical candidates attempting to win the Republican nomination, then, in turn, the presidency.
Brains. Trump graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Science of Business and Concentration in Science; he is the author of over ten books, one being The Way to Success in 2007. He has the degree and ink on the pages of his books to prove it. He’s got the intelligence, at least in the business world and about running a company, to make an attempt at running for president.
A good business man. Ever since he graduated from business school, time has been one of the most important things Trump doesn’t want to waste. Jumping into a business career with his father to work for Trump Organization was only the first step to a fulfilling and successful business career. Before long, he became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company and has built buildings all around the country, always displaying either the word “Trump” in the front or the letter, “T.”
Able to interact with political and business hierarchies. Trump, being the CEO of a major real estate company and the owner of many buildings and properties, interacts and barters with many important businessmen across the globe on a daily basis. One country that Trump deals with often is China. China is where he’s seen and heard how other countries are supposedly making a fool of the US. China takes money and uses it to make products for themselves which is something that foreigners believe the US doesn’t do. “Made In China” are three words that US people are very familiar with seeing on the bottom of their products. To put an end to this manipulation, Trump would tax the, as he calls them, “enemy’s,” products 25 percent.
Able to manage and lead. The term, “You’re fired,” didn’t get famous from just anyone. Trump made that his favorite line in his television show, The Apprentice, and there’s a good chance that he’s also directed that line to an unfortunate employee off camera. Being the boss, running the show is what Trump has been doing for years now.
Years of prior experience. Being a TV personality isn’t exactly a attribute to be on the top of your resume when applying for the title as President, but he has had to deal with many important people and businessmen around the world. The only downsides are that Trump doesn’t have any prior political experience – except for toying with the idea to run in 2000 – and not being able to say he’s fought in a war for his country, which has been a theme between past presidents; although, back in 1964, he did graduate from New York Military Academy.
Financially able. According to Forbes Magazine, Trump is worth a whopping $2.7 billion. Depending on how much a candidate raises and how much he promotes himself in the media for the people to see, running for president can very pricey. How much? Well, to get an idea, Obama raised and spent a combined $750 million for his victorious 2008 campaign. That leaves, what, around 2.69 billion? That seems enough for a roof over his head and a solid three meals a day – he might want to sell another building though, just in case.
The rundown: Trump stated that he is pro-life, against gun control, anti-ObamaCare, wouldn’t raise taxes, would take back hundreds of billions of dollars back “from countries that are screwing us,” would create vast numbers of jobs and “rebuild our country so we can be proud.”
“Our country will be will be great again,” Trump promised if he would get elected.
He may have the chops to make Obama stink up the debate room with some perspiration, but will Trump actually run? Does he honestly have what it takes to lead the whole country? It is suspected that everyone could know the answers to these questions around June, but for now, Government and Economics teacher John Erisman can give people an idea.
“I don’t see him going through with it. It’s early. (June is) three months away,” he said. (Chances are) 50/50 (for him) to be on the ticket.”
Comparing his views to former president and the late John F. Kennedy’s, one of Erisman’s idols, he yet remains questionable of Trump’s motives.
“If he’s doing this for himself, then he’s doing it for all the wrong reasons,” he said.”He must prove that he’s doing this for the American people, not himself.
The citizens of the US won’t know if “The Donald” is running for president until the summer time. Just like in 2000, this could all be just a stunt.
Somehow landing himself $900 million in debt in the ’90s, according to his Who2 biography, Trump told his caddy to take out the bankruptcy-iron to help him escape from the sand trap that is financial crisis. People were bedazzled by the fact that he all of a sudden decided to run for president soon after his whole money debacle was over with. This leads some skeptics to believe that this is just another joke that Trump is pulling on the people of the United States.
“Anything’s possible,” said Erisman.
For all he knows, it’ll be a race for the ages.
“It’ll be very interesting to say the least to see how far Donald Trump could get,” Erisman said. “2012 will be a case study in history. (The) US is facing foreign and domestic issues that could change history.”
“Hopefully it’s all for the good.”
