Presumptive … presumed in the absence of further information – Oxford dictionary
“I consider myself the presumptive nominee,” Donald Trump declared following his sweep of the five east coast primaries, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
Personally, I am not a Trump fan. I just cannot get past his boorish bragging, his callous insults and his inability to articulate policy specifics. I’m not alone. A friend has been sending me articles on Trump, saying “I’m still learning to love him because I may have to vote for him.”
When I heard former Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight say that Trump is not a Republican or a Democrat during his endorsement of Trump, I thought “the Donald” won’t be happy with that. But, as Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan noted, “a large portion of the Republican base no longer sees itself as conservative.” That’s troubling to me, especially with the knowledge of Trump’s past contributions to the likes of Hillary Clinton, the Clinton Foundation and Chuck Schumer.
(Courtesy CNN.com)
On April 28, I wrote of being a die-hard, still hoping for a Cruz-Fiorina win during a contested convention. Michael Barone, a long-time guru of the political numbers game, says Trump doesn’t have it sewed up, “Not quite.” Recalling the 1980 back-and-forth between Teddy Kennedy and Jimmy Carter, Barone says, “Perhaps this year many Republican voters don’t relish a Trump victory or a contested convention where Cruz or someone else could win.”
The Indiana primary, where Trump currently polls ahead of Cruz, will be vital for him, but there are a number of smaller states not considered Trump-friendly, and California is still in doubt.
In her Wall Street Journal column, The Agony of a Trump Delegate, Kimberley A. Strassel says, “He (Trump) presumes too much.” She writes about the behind-the-scenes delegate meetings going on in 50 states. I highly recommend it to you. Click here to read it in its entirety.
“Maybe Trump’s appeal is simple: What Trump supporters believe, what they perceive as they watch him, is that he on America’s side,” remarked Noonan. Never mind his 60 percent unfavorability rating.
Yes, I believe he is on America’s side. However, Democrats will say the same about Clinton, even though we know her progressive agenda is anti-American.
How can voters be satisfied with that simple belief – he’s on America’s side?
I’ll support Trump if he is the GOP nominee, because I have to do what I can to keep another Clinton out of the White House.
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