The TRUMP PHENOM: How I See It

Though he certainly elicits more angst, from both the left and the right, than do other candidates, I venture to say that once the catharsis of legitimate visceral anger among Republican and Conservative Americans is played out, that Mr. Trump's star will fade. To most Americans, I just don't think he's viewed as "presidential". That's not to say that what he's now saying and doing--i.e. roiling the pot--is of no use; it's just that after awhile the pot's contents--that being the anti-Establishment angst among many Americans--will simply boil away.

My real concern is not whether or not Trump gets the nomination, which I don't believe he will, it is whether or not he can effectively debate a terribly flawed, but very slick, choreographed, double-talking Hillary, a quintessentially shameless, wily politician who also happens to be considerably more articulate than Mr. Trump.  In truth, I have some very serious doubts about Trump's ability to successfully handle such a debate and to convince a majority of voters that while he is rough-hewned he is also sufficiently presidential.

At this point, and unless his demeanor/deportment/substance--not necessarily his message--is cleaned up, clarified, I fear a Trump nomination could doom conservative hopes to capture the White House. And if we fail in that regard, I see serious tumult ahead--possibly even the country's disunion. Four more years of heavy-handed, destructive Progressivism would simply be too much for most patriotic Americans to tolerate.

The Trump Phenom is not difficult to explain or understand; however, it's outcome and effects, whether deleterious or constructive, are still very much unknown.

Very importantly, I'm not at all sure that I can trust that Mr. Trump will not run as a third party candidate if his support erodes. His ambiguous messaging on this score is very troubling.

My hope is that a real conservative, constitution-first patriot is elected, and to achieve that end I will do all I can. Conservatism's failure this time around will, I believe, finish us as a union. And if the break-up of this once venerable union is what it takes to restore constitutional order in at least a portion of that union, then I have no reservations about embracing such an outcome. I just hope such a break-up can be avoided, but NOT at the risk of permitting the further erosion of our founding principles and liberties. Unity at any price is folly.

So, a lot hangs in the balance with this upcoming election, for its outcome could well determine our fate as a unified people and country. Exaggerated concern? Not this time...