Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Dump Trump

If you ask anyone currently supporting Donald Trump for President (for the record, I do not support him) why he's their guy, you'll get the same general sentiments. Answers will range from how he's "not the typical droning politician" to "he tells it like it is" to "he's the only candidate to seriously address the immigration problem." (bull pucky, but that's what's being said)

It has been my experience that when most people exude bravado to the extent Trump has, there's a good chance it is done in an attempt to bury deep rooted insecurities. I won't speculate what Trump is attempting to shield but it's clear that this so-called "fighter" has been rattled by Fox News personality Megyn Kelly.




During and after the initial GOP presidential debate which occurred on August 6, Trump took umbrage with Kelly's line of questioning to him, specifically regarding his derogatory statements about certain women. In the aftermath of the debate, Trump supporters posted insulting tweets towards Kelly, some of which Trump himself retweeted.

Upon returning from a near two week vacation, Kelly was once again being slammed via Twitter.







Now, does this strike you as being "Presidential?" Continuing to personally go after a media figure who asked you tough questions three friggin' weeks ago?!?!?! Yeah, that fills me with the utmost confidence that Trump could maintain a sense of decorum when in difficult negotiations with someone like Vladimir Putin.

Fox News chief Roger Ailes finally had enough, releasing a statement on Tuesday.

"Donald Trump's surprise and unprovoked attack on Megyn Kelly during her show last night is as unacceptable as it is disturbing. Megyn Kelly represents the very best of American journalism and all of us at Fox News Channel reject the crude and irresponsible attempts to suggest otherwise," Ailes' statement reads. "I could not be more proud of Megyn for her professionalism and class in the face of all of Mr. Trump’s verbal assaults. Her questioning of Mr. Trump at the debate was tough but fair, and I fully support her as she continues to ask the probing and challenging questions that all presidential candidates may find difficult to answer," Ailes said. "Donald Trump rarely apologizes, although in this case, he should. We have never been deterred by politicians or anyone else attacking us for doing our job, much less allowed ourselves to be bullied by anyone and we’re certainly not going to start now. All of our journalists will continue to report in the fair and balanced way that has made FOX News Channel the number one news network in the industry.”

Some of Kelly's on air colleagues also came to her defense.

"Fox & Friends" host Brian Kilmeade said Tuesday morning that Trump is "totally out of control" and that his attacks on Kelly are "totally unwarranted."

Host Bret Baier, who moderated the GOP debate with Kelly and Chris Wallace, tweeted "It's been 19 days since the debate — @realDonaldTrump has made his feelings clear. But THIS needs to stop," adding the hashtag "#letitgo."

Sean Hannity, who had one of the first interviews with Trump on Fox after the debate and initial Kelly flare-up, also tweeted his support of Kelly, though he called Trump a "friend."

"My friend @realDonaldTrump has captured the imagination of many. Focus on Hillary, Putin, border, jobs, Iran China & leave @megynkelly alone," he wrote.

I can't believe Trump will be able to continue this nonsense and still emerge the GOP nominee. My prediction is once the conversation pivots to issues other than immigration (not to say that isn't an important one), Trump will be exposed. His speech in Alabama was filled with nothing more than platitudes. I just don't see how he can perpetually cover for his woeful lack of policy ideas while still coming off as a buffoon.

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