"The Juggernaut"

Juggernaut: something (such as a force, campaign, or movement) that is extremely large and powerful and cannot be stopped.


I should preface this Blog by saying that I am not a Donald Trump fan...but I am a realist. It doesn't seem to matter whether the media is against him (Washington Post recent Op Ed comparing him to Hitler) or as his opposition tries to destroy him with millions of dollars of negative ads...he keeps winning. I am not saying his campaign fits the definition of a 'juggernaut' but so far he is getting the votes, and spending much less money than his opponents. The amount of money being spent to stop him is astonishing; as of the South Carolina primary here is the amount of money spent so far:


* Jeb Bush - $81 million (and it is estimated his Super Pac spent another $40 million)
* Marco Rubio -$50 million.
* Ted Cruz - $17 million.
* Donald Trump - $8 million.

 The result: Jeb is out and Rubio and Cruz are double digits behind. Trump has been called a 'political huckster', 'P.T. Barnum of politics', 'political snake oil salesman', and many other names not appropriate for this Blog. But in today's era of sound bites and people's worship of entertainers he is in his element; you cannot turn on a news or opinion show without seeing him. The SEC primaries are one week from today and this will be the big test. If Trump wins those, his campaign will fit the definition of a 'juggernaut' and we will have to get used to it.


I have no idea what kind of president Trump would be, but he has touched a nerve with many Americans. Can we round up 12 million illegal immigrants and deport them - NO, is illegal immigration a very serious problem in the country that the average guy wants fixed - YES. Can we ban Muslims from entering the country -NO, but are Muslims responsible for 95% of terrorist attacks around the world and do Americans want some assurance that terrorist attacks will be stopped - YES. Is our economy stagnant with few good jobs for the average guy; and do many people think it is because of jobs being moved offshore - YES. Do many people think this country has lost esteem in the world and we are being taken advantage of by Russia, China, Mexico, Iran...etc. - YES. These are some of the issues that Trump has zeroed in on and with his 'pied piper' marketing genius he has convinced many Americans that he can solve those problems, with a dose of 'panache' thrown in.


So we will see. On the democratic side the candidates are pitiful (in my humble and somewhat biased opinion). But democrats have the demographics with the major electoral vote states in their favor, but with their candidates there is no enthusiasm. In Iowa and New Hampshire democratic votes were down over 20% while republican votes were up 20%. In South Carolina democratic voting was down 30% while republican voting was up 30%. In the Nevada Caucuses the turnout last night was double what it was last time, so right now enthusiasm is definitely with the republicans.


There is not much enthusiasm on the democratic side with two socialists trying to outdo each other with offers of 'free stuff' and their embarrassing pandering to the minority and anti-police vote. 'The Bern' lost some momentum in Nevada but the democratic vote in South Carolina next Saturday will tell us more. Pray for an indictment Bernie!