Trumpmentum!

Surely there would be a backlash against Trump after his slur against John McCain's military service, cried the GOP!

Um, no.

A new poll of voters likely to take part in the New Hampshire Republican primary shows Donald Trump with the biggest lead he has yet held in the GOP race. The Monmouth University poll, released Tuesday morning, has Trump at 24 percent -- double the support of the next-highest Republican, Jeb Bush, at 12 percent.

Perhaps Trump's growing following (I wouldn't go so far as to call it "support") will lead the GOP to rethink its strategy of calling these disaffected types every name in the book and instead provide a credible alternative to channel their anger.

Or not.

Interesting take away from this *one* poll....Trump's favoribility rating isn't underwater in it and he's crushing it with younger voters.

I don't buy the idea that Trump is a serious candidate. Oh sure, he's going to campaign and do whatever it is he thinks will get votes but I can't believe when push comes to shove people will vote for him.

One advantage, and it's a big one, he has over the flavor of the month candidates last time (like Bachmann and Cain) is there's nothing that can come out about him that would make people say, "oh no, that's beyond the pale in terms of charachter or temperament".

He is who he is and every negative that would sink anyone else is simply "The Mystique of The Donald." It's all already priced in. Hell, it's part of his appeal.

I know the GOP is getting worried about this and there will be some movements to exclude him from debates (everyone will have to swear not to run 3rd party/indy) or keep him off ballots through some rules machinations.

If the GOP tries to keep the man who is at the top of the polls out a debate or off ballots, they are just asking for trouble.

Trump isn't running to raise his speaking fees or get a TV show (remember he gave one up to do this). He's in this because he's an egomaniac who has nothing better to do with his money and the name recognition he's built up over the years.

I don't see him as a "Well, if the rules say I'm out, then those are the rules" kind of guy. Anything other than a legit flame out that crushes his ego is only going to lead to him lashing out.

He may not be worth as much money as he claims but he's sure as hell worth enough to run a spite campaign that will sink any hope the GOP has next year.

There are no good answers here for the GOP but my guess is they will find away to come up with the worst one possible. That's kind of what they are best at.

Added: Matthew in the comments asks a great question.

5 He's rabidly pro-abortion, essentially pro-illegal immigration, and fundamentally pro big-government.

Why don't the GOP higher ups love the guy?
And why do the rank and file not hate him?

What kind of topsy turvy world is this?
Posted by: matthew at July 28, 2015 12:12 PM (Z/WIA)

posted by DrewM. at 12:10 PM

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