[August 6, 2015] Authentic leadership! All the political “experts” have been caught off-guard by what they see as a surprise surge in the popularity of billionaire businessman and Presidential contender Donald Trump. However, senior leaders I talk to were not surprised and, in fact, were predicting early a strong campaign run by Trump. Why then, is the political campaign of Donald Trump surging? Are the experts wrong?
Experts are saying the reason for Trump’s popularity is that he plays on popular grievances of Republican voters and he jumps on recent news events. An example of this is a recent CNN article.1 Those voters asked by CNN why they were for Trump stated that his greatest appeal may be that they see him as authentic and unfiltered. “When he talks, he talks like them.” What we are seeing is someone who is authentic to the average voter, clear in what he says, not afraid to offend, and whose supporters love being out of step with the traditional candidates.
An article in the Huffington Post2 focuses on Trump’s popularity says that it’s a reaction to those who are haters of President Obama. In this article Colin Powell says that “Obama haters believe that Barack Obama is an immigrant, and they hate immigrants.” Of course, this is sort of lazy intellectualizing is sad coming from a successful man; being an oversimplification and he does a bit of stereotyping himself.
In another attempt to explain Trump’s success, an article in the Washington Post3 says that it’s because the media has given him lots of attention and has endlessly speculated on why he’s doing well. The argument here is that people are being bombarded with news stories about Trump and considers this just a temporary spike in covering a new candidate; labeling it as the “discovery phase” of a campaign that will inevitably wither.
What Trump has done is provide clarity in his leadership. His shoot-from-the-hip style means that he makes mistakes and his opponents have jumped on for it. To the voter this makes him the more human and appealing. But the average American recognizes this for what it is; a revitalization of the political process by someone who is not afraid to be a leader. Trump’s overarching message is that he wants to make American great again.4 Who could resist that sort of message … not that dissimilar to President Obama’s “hope and change” campaigns.
Trump also talks about what concerns people and he explains his position in plain talk. Several recent topics have been the problem with illegal immigration and an open southern border, a declining American military, decades of lost jobs and falling wages, unlawful executive action by President Obama, and a poor, corrupt public education system. He’s controversial and he’s not afraid to offend to anybody … and that’s attracting a bunch of people.
No one knows how well Trump will do in a series of debates or at the polls. So far the experts have consistently been wrong. Let’s all pay close attention to what all the candidates are saying. Trump supporters are saying the other candidates are self-serving politicians who talk a lot without really saying much or accomplishing anything significant.
Not so with Donald Trump because he gets things done and has no fear of offending anyone. Yes, the experts were wrong in their predictions on Trump. Whether his popularity and campaign successes will last is a question everyone is asking. That depends on whether he can remain authentic.
Tomorrow: Why is Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Faltering?
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- http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/17/politics/donald-trump-summer-surge/index.html
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/algernon-austin/why-donald-trump-is-surgi_b_7773954.html
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/07/20/why-is-trump-surging-blame-the-media/
- https://www.donaldjtrump.com/
[Disclaimer] I have no affiliation with any presidential candidate, nor do any of my relatives. I’m a registered Republican with a history of voting. The views here are mine and mine alone and I am responsible for any errors contained in my blog.