Back in the 80s, Rodney was one of my junior English students. He wasn’t the smartest kid in the class by a long shot, but he tried, and he was a pretty decent, friendly guy. One day he walked into class a few minutes early wearing a T-shirt I hadn’t seen before. “Ozzy for President!” he shouted, proclaimed the words written across his chest. He flashed me a big grin and strutted to his desk.
Rodney was more of a head banger wannabe than the real thing, but it wasn’t hard to imagine him in his room listening to Black Sabbath cranked to full volume and shouting along with its lead singer Ozzy Osbourne.
Rodney sat down and leaned forward, elbows on his desk. He looked at me with a serious expression and said in all sincerity, “Really, wouldn’t it be cool if Ozzy was president?” I looked back at him, amused, but didn’t respond. More students filtered into the room, so I had other people to attend to. Our political discussion was at an end.
Donald Trump isn’t Ozzy Osbourne. The Donald has significantly more working brain cells than the man who later played the pathetic clown on his family’s reality show, The Osbournes. And Ozzy is British, so a presidential run was always out of the question. But a lot of Trump supporters are grown-up versions of my old student Rodney.
Rodney and I never talked about Ozzy’s political future again, but I’m pretty sure what his answer would have been if I had asked him, “If Ozzy was really running for president, if there was really a chance he’d be leading the United States of America, would you vote for him?” He would have replied something like, “Well, no, probably not . . . But wouldn’t it be cool if Ozzy was president?” I have a sense many proud Trump supporters, when confronted with the idea of actually voting for their man, will say the same.
The media loves to focus on Trump’s most impassioned supporters, those who praise the man and his ideas with gusto, often repeating the bile that comes from Trump’s mouth with such pure hatred, directed toward Muslims and immigrants and Obama and “PC Liberals,” that even The Donald might raise his eyebrows with concern—or would have in the past, anyway, before those folks became his base. But there are plenty of others at his rallies or watching at home who are less passionate but are having a great time listening to him. His speeches resonate in their innards the way “dangerous” music taps into receptive listeners’ ids. But they aren’t so completely consumed with the man and his message that they’re willing to follow him to the ends of the earth, or even all the way to the polling booth. When it comes time to vote, many of the hangers-on are likely to put their marks next to another candidate’s name while muttering, “Yeah, but wouldn’t it be cool if Trump was president?” Since lots of them are occasional voters at best, a good portion of the Trump supporters will just sit this one out like they sit out other elections.
When the primary votes are tallied, I expect Trump’s numbers will be far lower than the polls suggest. It might not happen in the early primaries. The general elections may be too distant for people in the first few primary states to connect their votes with the idea of their chosen candidate sitting in the Oval Office deciding the fate of the nation and the world. But at one point, Trump’s support will start to crumble, and once that starts, there will be no stopping his downward slide.
But what do I know? I could be completely wrong. Most of the professional pundit class on both sides of the political aisle have assumed Trump would be out of the picture by now, and I’ve agreed. But pundits’ conversion to seeing Trump as a likely Republican presidential nominee doesn’t mean they’ve finally got it right this time. It could just as easily be another instance of them getting it wrong, of jumping on the polling bandwagon and assuming Trump’s present popularity will continue through the primaries, and I may have it right this time. If I’m wrong and Trump-mania continues all the way to the Republican convention, feel free to remind me how badly I misread the conservative political scene. I’m notoriously bad when it comes to predictions. But if I got it right, you can bet I’ll be referring back to this post and saying, “See? I understand the Rodneys of the world.”
This article appears in Dec 31, 2015 – Jan 6, 2016.
Please stop lying. No hatred was directed at Muslims. He said, we need to stop allowing Muslims to enter the US until we figure out what the heck is going on.
That is not hatred.
The Republican Party has become concerned that their voters have figured out that there is little difference between Republicans and Progressive Democrats.
And that my friend is on you. You and the other party of do nothing, promise solutions and rob the coffers, politicians. Both parties might just lose this time. We have a candidate that cherishes his own money…rather than stealing ours.
It’s a small percentage of people in America and they are getting outsize publicity, because watching Trump is like young boys sneaking a look at Hustler Magazine. They know they shouldn’t, but they can’t avert their eyes. I have no idea where this is going.
What would you consider a small percentage, less than 50%? The media is trapped. They have to cover him as he is the front runner. If they don’t their cover is blown. They exist for, with and by the two party system.
…and their world is about to get rocked!
David W: How do you propose we identify “Muslims” to exclude? What about half-Muslims? Quarter-Muslims? Do you now see how racist that is? And since the numbers of immigrants of any religion is tiny compared to all the “Muslims” already here, both immigrants and citizens, what do you propose we do about them? More racist bigotry?
You are such an intellectual Mr Safier you really fancy yourself so much smarter than your dumb kool aid drinking readers which most are. Trump doesn’t fit into the traditional candidate from either party and that obviously gets to you. 8 years of lying and destructive leadership by Barrack Obama is not enough for you. People are fed up with traditional politicians plain and simple……..and you can’t handle it………….I think it’s hysterical.
Trump is not my guy but what he has brought to the table in terms of issues that were too PC discuss is refreshing. You only exist in the communist Red World that spins in Southern Arizona Mr. Safier and you think you are so special because you get to issue commentary from only a left wing controlled media failed perspective and then pretend to be too smart to be challenged. You are small, you are soooooo very small shrinking by the minute.
Wow Jeffrey Englebert. You are brave to post your real name to such a hysterical nonsensical rant.
You can identify nationality by a passport. I.e. you can prohibit Syrians, Iranians, etc. from entering the country. But how, pray tell, do you identify someone by their religion? Like a terrorist wouldn’t lie? Trump is the stupid man’s candidate.
Jeffrey, ” 8 years of lying and destructive leadership by Barrack Obama”. The time. And how he hates America. No examples. Give me some examples please.
He’s the frontrunner if you ignore all the undecideds, which is the VAST majority of the country, including Republicans: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/dear-m…
His poll numbers among the pool of actual voters is more like …. 5%. There’s no need to cover the guy except for filling column inches and clickbait. (Which, to be fair, totally works, since I’m here.)
plaur…………it would take hours to respond to you and Tucson is “L” land so why waste my time. I lived there for 35 years so glad to be gone……….Not afraid of the truth
After we now see Saudi Muslims execute Iranian Muslims I soul identify Muslims as entrants from middle eastern countries that we have fought for or against it will be soon. A couple years of time out would work wonders in identifying the bad guys. The left would rather not insult anybody.
So what if some Americans have to die so we can be PC?
Trump Is Going to Fall, Hard, Sometime During the Primaries . Bahaha he has got you all fooled. He is getting the greatest coverage with his comments from you. That is his goal. His business is booming thanks to your stories about him. Wake up stop doing stories onhim
I consider myself educated and still learning at 58. As a Arizona native living in Tucson for the past 32 years, trust me, we are far from stupid. A large majority of American citizens want to see Trump as President. He has stated numerous times he plans on hiring the best of the best to help him accomplish what he has promised. Unlike most politicians, he understands this is not a job one person can accomplish on their own. It is unfair to call Trump followers uneducated or plain stupid, Isn’t that the very thing you “smart” people call racists.
Jeffrey? Are you collecting Social Security? Using Medicare?
I may be wrong, but from the content of your comments, I suspect you vote Republican.
Which means that you’re voting against your own welfare because Republicans have – since I was a little boy – been determined to destroying both these basic benefits.
Hey, Trump Supporter! If your pal, Donald, gets elected POTUS, be sure to visit our border region with Mexico.
To see one of the world’s most beautiful and scenic regions totally destroyed by a wall that will not keep undocumented migrants out.
It may, though, dissuade many of the 8.5 million legal Mexicans that annually head north to shop.
Which, I’ve read, will result in the loss of some 2,000,000 US jobs.
And even raise your taxes due to Arizona’s loss of millions upon millions of $ in sales tax revenues.
I love it when the left accuses you of voting against your own interests when you accept SS and Medicare. They are required participation by law.
But just look how unselfish these people are. They care more about their country then about themselves.
Keep the faith!
@Wiser Old Man. You aren’t soo wise after all. You are a fool to think that Republican party are some how destroying the social welfare system. The fact is ALL Politicians of ALL parties have been destroying the system. Your too stupid to see that. They have made sure that you are to bait you to choose a side. Red or Blue. The fact is these Politicans of every party are the problem. They do not represent any of us. As long as they do not have term limits, the ability to raise their own pay and lobbying legal. All Politicians are crooks. You can’t name a Politicans who hasn’t revived some sort of compensation . By the way federal rules mandate you can not accept gifts of $25 total in 1 year. Mean while here is an example of just one element that abuses the system and made last year alone $178,863,490.
Wishful thinking, Donald Trump is not going away or losing. No draft card left, but I sure the hell want to get out before Mexico builds the Trump Wall and I can’t get out. Funny how everyone has been waiting for Trump to fail and afraid to stand up to him. Now the Clinton’s are ducking as if avoiding Trump has done anything so far. You will be glad to hear after the Department of Education is revamped and changed to the Department of Morals the line for appointment as Secretary is like a Congo Line spreading across the GOP Convention Floor with half the defeated GOP ‘wannabe’ President lined up. Won’t have “common core” to kick around anymore. Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen thinks it is a good idea for the American people to have church attendance mandatory. State Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, might even be an Under Secretary with School Superintendent Douglas in charge of accrediting Trump University. Never heard of Trump University? Trump University is not, in fact, an illustrious business school, but a scam that defrauded at least 5,000 people who had hoped to learn investing … Google it. On topic Donald Trump successful businessman President, if you can call a scam artist a successful businessman.
Oh David,” But a lot of Trump supporters are grown-up versions of my old student Rodney.”
So you don’t like metal and Ozzy Osbourne, it’s a shame, but you can’t compare one’s musical tastes to their political affiliation and beliefs.
If Leibowitz/Colbert were running for president again, I am sure we would be blessed with a snark filled puff piece that we would need a certain IQ, “to get it”.
Obama has been nothing but a continuation of Bush, 16 years of the erosion of our civil liberties while America’s middle class has been absolutely gutted combined with endless worldwide wars and nation building.
If you haven’t figured out that Trump is actually an outsider, a response to the establishment (blue and red), it looks like you and your ilk are going to be on the wrong side of history, it’s a new year, the current year, I mean, come on!
There is one candidate at least TALKING about lobbying for Americans and making other countries pay for our services, even if he doesn’t come through, at least he talked about it, which is 100% more genuine than any of the morally bankrupt stuffed suits (pants-suits) included.
But please David, keep questioning Mr Trump’s intelligence and his followers intelligence if that helps you sleep at night, it’s time to make America great again, you can always move to Canada….
I vote for the person I feel is best suited for the job, not for red or blue. I do agree parts of Mexico are beautiful and I do enjoy visiting Mexico. I do not agree with people coming to the United States illegally and not paying taxes, getting food stamps, uninsured medical care, and free meals from our schools for their children. Yes, I agree with the wall. I am all for Mr. Trump as President to make our country great again. As most Americans, I am tired of politicians giving us the shaft.
Trump 2016, it’s happening.
If anything, this year opened my eyes to how many people identify as communists and socialists and are proud of it.
Is he falling yet?
He exposed Fox as yet another secret liberal hideout. THEY SUPPORT OPEN BORDERS and all the Democrats have been hating on Fox News for a decade now.
HIS POLL RATINGS ARE UP AGAIN.
I can’t wait to print and display this article at his inauguration.
TRUMP 2016
Last 3 presidents came in second in Iowa.
Trump or Sanders will be next POTUS.
Is he falling hard yet?
TRUMP 2016
hail to the chief
President Trump is here
and tomorrow is Friday the 13th…funny little thing happened along the way…they accepted my bid on the property in Mexico…now I hope they hurry up and build the wall and keep the crazies out. Hope to be moved in two months.
Look at how many democrats were just flat wrong. So now all they can do is try to bring him down. Our country be damned I guess is how you view it when ideology trumps patriotism. There are many people enjoying the fruits of this country that hate it.