Free advice for Donald Trump

[haymarket]

I met for breakfast with a few people that I used to work with in Lansing for three years when I was chief of staff for a state legislator. Like myself, these folks give political advice and help craft campaigns , mostly for state office. There were four people (3 Dems and one person who mostly works for the GOP) present and all agreed that if Trump wants to be successful he should do these things ASAP. As a caveat let me add that none of them support Trump but were merely playing with the proposition.

1- Stop being Donald Grump and get that mean scowl off your face. Dump the frown and look as happy as you should be with a big lead over your next opponent and the entire nation fascinated with your every word.

2- Get serious with some policy statements that change the discussion from the ridiculous to the substantive. A detailed tax policy would be the place to start.

3 - Try listening and learning to voices of experience in campaigns instead of flying by the seat of your pants and speaking off the cuff all the time. Yes - the appeal of Trump is a man who speaks his mind in a business where others are perceived as not doing so. So don't change that completely. But learn how you can say what needs to be said without putting your foot in your mouth and making this worse like the Kelly blood statement.

4- Shift from the I to the WE. Make this a campaign about creating an environment in Washington where the government can be as great as the American people are. Make that one of your central themes and say it as often as possible. Of course, that means modifying that ego a bit.

We also agreed that with the exception of #2 - none of this stands a chance in hell of being implemented.

Everyone agreed that if he could do these three things, he would be taken a bit more seriously and not inflict so much damage upon himself.

and yes - free advice is worth the price charged - so spare me that witticism.

 

[Mycroft]

I met for breakfast with a few people that I used to work with in Lansing for three years when I was chief of staff for a state legislator. Like myself, these folks give political advice and help craft campaigns , mostly for state office. There were four people (3 Dems and one person who mostly works for the GOP) present and all agreed that if Trump wants to be successful he should do these things ASAP. As a caveat let me add that none of them support Trump but were merely playing with the proposition.

1- Stop being Donald Grump and get that mean scowl off your face. Dump the frown and look as happy as you should be with a big lead over your next opponent and the entire nation fascinated with your every word.

2- Get serious with some policy statements that change the discussion from the ridiculous to the substantive. A detailed tax policy would be the place to start.

3 - Try listening and learning to voices of experience in campaigns instead of flying by the seat of your pants and speaking off the cuff all the time. Yes - the appeal of Trump is a man who speaks his mind in a business where others are perceived as not doing so. So don't change that completely. But learn how you can say what needs to be said without putting your foot in your mouth and making this worse like the Kelly blood statement.

4- Shift from the I to the WE. Make this a campaign about creating an environment in Washington where the government can be as great as the American people are. Make that one of your central themes and say it as often as possible. Of course, that means modifying that ego a bit.

We also agreed that with the exception of #2 - none of this stands a chance in hell of being implemented.

Everyone agreed that if he could do these three things, he would be taken a bit more seriously and not inflict so much damage upon himself.

and yes - free advice is worth the price charged - so spare me that witticism.

I have one question and one observation.

Q. Why should Trump be advised to express things such as a "detailed tax policy" when none of the other candidates...not even Hillary...are being asked to do the same?

O. You should probably save your advice...I really don't think Trump would be inclined to consider advice proffered by Democrats or establishment Republicans...since he considers them to be the problem.

 

[haymarket]

I have one question and one observation.

Q. Why should Trump be advised to express things such as a "detailed tax policy" when none of the other candidates...not even Hillary...are being asked to do the same?

O. You should probably save your advice...I really don't think Trump would be inclined to consider advice proffered by Democrats or establishment Republicans...since he considers them to be the problem.

As to your observation - because he may want to expand beyond reaching only 1/4 of GOP primary voters if he wants to be successful. Good advice is good advice no matter the source.

As to your question - he should do it exactly because the others are NOT doing it - that is what will help separate him and elevate him beyond just an empty barrel making lots of noise with the supposedly disaffected and help to get him considered as a serious candidate.

 

[Cardinal]

I met for breakfast with a few people that I used to work with in Lansing for three years when I was chief of staff for a state legislator. Like myself, these folks give political advice and help craft campaigns , mostly for state office. There were four people (3 Dems and one person who mostly works for the GOP) present and all agreed that if Trump wants to be successful he should do these things ASAP. As a caveat let me add that none of them support Trump but were merely playing with the proposition.

1- Stop being Donald Grump and get that mean scowl off your face. Dump the frown and look as happy as you should be with a big lead over your next opponent and the entire nation fascinated with your every word.

2- Get serious with some policy statements that change the discussion from the ridiculous to the substantive. A detailed tax policy would be the place to start.

3 - Try listening and learning to voices of experience in campaigns instead of flying by the seat of your pants and speaking off the cuff all the time. Yes - the appeal of Trump is a man who speaks his mind in a business where others are perceived as not doing so. So don't change that completely. But learn how you can say what needs to be said without putting your foot in your mouth and making this worse like the Kelly blood statement.

4- Shift from the I to the WE. Make this a campaign about creating an environment in Washington where the government can be as great as the American people are. Make that one of your central themes and say it as often as possible. Of course, that means modifying that ego a bit.

We also agreed that with the exception of #2 - none of this stands a chance in hell of being implemented.

Everyone agreed that if he could do these three things, he would be taken a bit more seriously and not inflict so much damage upon himself.

and yes - free advice is worth the price charged - so spare me that witticism.

All of your advice would alienate him from the 20% (give or take a point) that supports him. They like his anger, they like his lack of seriousness, and they like that he's operating "from his gut" rather than taking the time to understand anything first. The people who approve of him don't want a candidate that makes the task of running the country appear complicated. His base perceives nuance and compromise, and code that in their minds as "politician stuff," which is specifically what they're trying to get away from.

 

[Mycroft]

As to your observation - because he may want to expand beyond reaching only 1/4 of GOP primary voters if he wants to be successful. Good advice is good advice no matter the source.

As to your question - he should do it exactly because the others are NOT doing it - that is what will help separate him and elevate him beyond just an empty barrel making lots of noise with the supposedly disaffected and help to get him considered as a serious candidate.

Trump is leading all other Republican candidates...sounds like he's being pretty successful right now.

I would say someone who is leading all other candidates from his Party is a pretty serious candidate...regardless what liberals might think of him.

 

[Robbie Loucks]

Y'know, he's pretty rich. Your advice doesn't have to be free. You could charge him for your advice.

 

[MrT]

Trump is leading all other Republican candidates...sounds like he's being pretty successful right now.

I would say someone who is leading all other candidates from his Party is a pretty serious candidate...regardless what liberals might think of him.

Trump expressed hesitation about whether he would support the eventual Republican nominee, but here is something that I would like the others to answer and, more importantly, the Republican voters as a whole - How likely is a rubio/walker/bush/etc/etc voter to be willing to support Trump if he should win the nomination?

 

[Mycroft]

Trump expressed hesitation about whether he would support the eventual Republican nominee, but here is something that I would like the others to answer and, more importantly, the Republican voters as a whole - How likely is a rubio/walker/bush/etc/etc voter to be willing to support Trump if he should win the nomination?

I'm not a Republican, so my opinion is probably not worth much...but my sense is that, if Trump is the Republican nominee, Republican voters and Independents who don't want to see Hillary become President will vote for him.

It's that old..."anyone but that other guy" decision process.

 

[soot]

Trump expressed hesitation about whether he would support the eventual Republican nominee, but here is something that I would like the others to answer and, more importantly, the Republican voters as a whole - How likely is a rubio/walker/bush/etc/etc voter to be willing to support Trump if he should win the nomination?

This is kind of convoluted so bear with me...

If I'm still living in NJ at the time of the primary I'll probably be registered as a Democrat since there's no real reason to vote in a NJ Republican primary (since no matter who ends up on the ticket is going to get beaten by the Democrat in the general).

If I've already moved to Texas I'll probably vote for Bush in the primary (if he's still in the race).

Then, depending on who actually wins the nomination, I'll either vote for that candidate or for Gary Johnson.

If, at the time of the general, Trump has won the primary and has proven himself to be more than a windbag who is basing his campaign entirely on making outlandish comments about controversial issues I would consider him.

If the Trump we get next November is the same Trump we're seeing today, no, I wouldn't vote for him.

If that Trump has matured as a candidate, has taken some substantive policy positions, has shown that he can be more than just a thumb in the eye of "the establishment", and I more-or-less like (or just straight out don't absolutely hate) what I see then, yes, I would vote for him.

I don''t want to see a Democrat in the White House in 2017.

I really, really, really don't want to see Hillary Clinton in the White House in 2017.

If I think the Republican option is as bad or worse then I'll go third party.

To be fair though, it would have to be a really, really, abominably bad Republican option (like Santorum or Palin bad) for me to throw my vote in with a third party.

 

[soot]

It's that old..."anyone but that other guy" decision process.

In other words...that.

 

[Risky Thicket]

5. Get a haircut. I'm serious. The first thing you see when you see him is that ridiculous bouffant man-do. It screams, "I'm as vain and self conscious as I can possibly be."

6. If Trump has ever been one thing it's drama. Trump has more drama going on than a busload of drag queens. It is difficult to get past the drama. Being a drama slut isn't going to carry him much further. Yes, there are Americans who love watching "reality" shows. They'll be the last to jump off the Trump wagon. For most Americans Trump's drama will have a short shelf life.

 

[haymarket]

All of your advice would alienate him from the 20% (give or take a point) that supports him. They like his anger, they like his lack of seriousness, and they like that he's operating "from his gut" rather than taking the time to understand anything first. The people who approve of him don't want a candidate that makes the task of running the country appear complicated. His base perceives nuance and compromise, and code that in their minds as "politician stuff," which is specifically what they're trying to get away from.

Good points - sad that his base would be so anti-substance - but good points just the same.

 

[PirateMk1]

Trump expressed hesitation about whether he would support the eventual Republican nominee, but here is something that I would like the others to answer and, more importantly, the Republican voters as a whole - How likely is a rubio/walker/bush/etc/etc voter to be willing to support Trump if he should win the nomination?

Not a damn one would. So why would he support them?

 

[PirateMk1]

5. Get a haircut. I'm serious. The first thing you see when you see him is that ridiculous bouffant man-do. It screams, "I'm as vain and self conscious as I can possibly be."

6. If Trump has ever been one thing it's drama. Trump has more drama going on than a busload of drag queens. It is difficult to get past the drama. Being a drama slut isn't going to carry him much further. Yes, there are Americans who love watching "reality" shows. They'll be the last to jump off the Trump wagon. For most Americans Trump's drama will have a short shelf life.

How long has the Apprentice been running? Is that what you consider a short time frame? I do have to though you are correct that Trump definitely has more drama around him the a busload of drag queens, maybe even two busloads.

 

[beerftw]

Trump expressed hesitation about whether he would support the eventual Republican nominee, but here is something that I would like the others to answer and, more importantly, the Republican voters as a whole - How likely is a rubio/walker/bush/etc/etc voter to be willing to support Trump if he should win the nomination?

in general quite a few conservatives including myself(not all republican either) would only vote trump in a general if it came down to him or hillary,basically becoming the lesser of two evils.

in a trump vs webb however webb would steal quite a few votes from the right,especially if trump was the candidate in the general election.

 

[Mycroft]

in general quite a few conservatives including myself(not all republican either) would only vote trump in a general if it came down to him or hillary,basically becoming the lesser of two evils.

in a trump vs webb however webb would steal quite a few votes from the right,especially if trump was the candidate in the general election.

I really don't know anything about Webb...so I went and read his Wiki (for what that's worth).

I agree...if it came down to between Trump and Webb, Webb would steal a few votes from Trump.

But it remains to be seen whether Webb can become the nominee. He has a lot working against him: Hillary. A press that doesn't appear to know he exists...kind of like O'Malley. Skeletons in his own closet that'll raise their ugly heads.

For myself, if Webb became the Democratic nominee I would consider him over Trump...depending on what Webb ends up saying about his position on various issues.

 

[beerftw]

I really don't know anything about Webb...so I went and read his Wiki (for what that's worth).

I agree...if it came down to between Trump and Webb, Webb would steal a few votes from Trump.

But it remains to be seen whether Webb can become the nominee. He has a lot working against him: Hillary. A press that doesn't appear to know he exists...kind of like O'Malley. Skeletons in his own closet that'll raise their ugly heads.

For myself, if Webb became the Democratic nominee I would consider him over Trump...depending on what Webb ends up saying about his position on various issues.

hillary though is the safe bet candidate much like kerry mcain and romney,those types tend to lose bad.

i agree webb and others would lose horribly in a primary against hillary,but would fair better than hillary in a general,especially webb.that is just because a primary is a game of the most mediocre candidate who broadly appeals,not a game for the best candidate.

 

[fmw]

I met for breakfast with a few people that I used to work with in Lansing for three years when I was chief of staff for a state legislator. Like myself, these folks give political advice and help craft campaigns , mostly for state office. There were four people (3 Dems and one person who mostly works for the GOP) present and all agreed that if Trump wants to be successful he should do these things ASAP. As a caveat let me add that none of them support Trump but were merely playing with the proposition.

1- Stop being Donald Grump and get that mean scowl off your face. Dump the frown and look as happy as you should be with a big lead over your next opponent and the entire nation fascinated with your every word.

2- Get serious with some policy statements that change the discussion from the ridiculous to the substantive. A detailed tax policy would be the place to start.

3 - Try listening and learning to voices of experience in campaigns instead of flying by the seat of your pants and speaking off the cuff all the time. Yes - the appeal of Trump is a man who speaks his mind in a business where others are perceived as not doing so. So don't change that completely. But learn how you can say what needs to be said without putting your foot in your mouth and making this worse like the Kelly blood statement.

4- Shift from the I to the WE. Make this a campaign about creating an environment in Washington where the government can be as great as the American people are. Make that one of your central themes and say it as often as possible. Of course, that means modifying that ego a bit.

We also agreed that with the exception of #2 - none of this stands a chance in hell of being implemented.

Everyone agreed that if he could do these three things, he would be taken a bit more seriously and not inflict so much damage upon himself.

and yes - free advice is worth the price charged - so spare me that witticism.

But you miss the point. His popularity derives from ignoring all the political methods. He is not a politician and that is why he is so popular.

 

[haymarket]

But you miss the point. His popularity derives from ignoring all the political methods. He is not a politician and that is why he is so popular.

Yes - I get that is one of the appeals he has to the people who now adore him. However, getting 1/4 of GOP primary voters does not translate into winning the nomination nor the general election. The advice I laid out would be a way to expand upon that base and grow his support.

 

[fmw]

The advice I laid out would be a way to expand upon that base and grow his support.

The poll numbers would seem to disagree with that.

 

[haymarket]

The poll numbers would seem to disagree with that.

How so?

 

[fmw]

How so?

Obviously he is winning the polls by doing what he is doing.

 

[Winchester]

I met for breakfast with a few people that I used to work with in Lansing for three years when I was chief of staff for a state legislator. Like myself, these folks give political advice and help craft campaigns , mostly for state office. There were four people (3 Dems and one person who mostly works for the GOP) present and all agreed that if Trump wants to be successful he should do these things ASAP. As a caveat let me add that none of them support Trump but were merely playing with the proposition.

1- Stop being Donald Grump and get that mean scowl off your face. Dump the frown and look as happy as you should be with a big lead over your next opponent and the entire nation fascinated with your every word.

2- Get serious with some policy statements that change the discussion from the ridiculous to the substantive. A detailed tax policy would be the place to start.

3 - Try listening and learning to voices of experience in campaigns instead of flying by the seat of your pants and speaking off the cuff all the time. Yes - the appeal of Trump is a man who speaks his mind in a business where others are perceived as not doing so. So don't change that completely. But learn how you can say what needs to be said without putting your foot in your mouth and making this worse like the Kelly blood statement.

4- Shift from the I to the WE. Make this a campaign about creating an environment in Washington where the government can be as great as the American people are. Make that one of your central themes and say it as often as possible. Of course, that means modifying that ego a bit.

We also agreed that with the exception of #2 - none of this stands a chance in hell of being implemented.

Everyone agreed that if he could do these three things, he would be taken a bit more seriously and not inflict so much damage upon himself.

and yes - free advice is worth the price charged - so spare me that witticism.

So make him like every other politician and destroy what his followers like about him?

 

[haymarket]

Obviously he is winning the polls by doing what he is doing.

Perhaps your concept of "winning" is not the same as mine or others. If Trump does not expand beyond the one in four GOP likely voters that seem to say they will vote for him - he will not win the nomination and certainly not the November election. He will lose. "winning" some polls today is not actually winning anything.

 

[haymarket]

So make him like every other politician and destroy what his followers like about him?

If he wants to be President, that is a necessary and important risk he must take. Having the support - even the love and adoration - of one in four GOP primary voters gets him nothing in the end.