Trump is Entertaining, But He’s Just An Opening Act

by: doug edelman | published: 05 03, 2011

Donald Trump is nothing if he’s not a showman! The man knows how to get attention. He’s a self-promoter and loves the spotlight, and he’s certainly garnered a lot of that limelight of late!

He is riding a rising tide of popularity, and he’s milking it for all its worth. America is so very disenchanted with Obama that anyone who can land a body-blow on him is a hero. Trump has been relentless in his sometimes comical, sometimes clownish criticism and skepticism of the President. This makes him something of a folk-hero, whose stock has just posted great gains after Obama blinked on the Birth Certificate staredown. Now he is calling for school records. An amusing diversion, to be sure, and it may cause further deterioration of Obama’s credibility… but it’s not doing much to cause a rise in confidence in Trump’s ability to govern!

But if I might draw an analogy, Trump is an opening act. He warms up the audience for the headliner. Someone else will close the show and take the curtain calls.

Perhaps an even better analogy is that of a bullfight. Given the close association that so many people have between “bull” and Obama, this may perhaps be the most fitting analog I can find!

In a bullfight, there is not a single human opponent to the bull. There is a TEAM. The Picador will annoy the bull and will insert lances to weaken his back. This is the role I see The Donald playing. Frustrating the bull, causing him pain and injury, confusing him, and wearing him down.

During the next phase of the bullfight, a Torreador will play the bull. Goading him to charge at his red cape, while deftly avoiding the bulls horns, he further confuses and tires the bull. This is a finesse act. Perhaps too finesse for The Donald’s cavalier manner. I expect one or more challengers of the Paul Ryan, Mike Pence, even Ron Paul variety to challenge Obama on the REAL issues. To make him answer real and reasoned questions on fiscal matters, and on the differing world views and underlying philosophies that distinguish between the Progressive Left and the Conservative Right.

But the Matador… the one who ultimately plunges the sword into the bull and ends the bullfight in victory… that person has yet to emerge. This must be a charismatic person. One who can eloquently articulate the positions, policies, platform, and plan that will set our nation on a course for prosperity and success. One whose policies are not political gamesmanship, but which come from a core belief and a personal conviction. A Reaganesque character who will unite people behind an optimistic vision and a realistic plan.

This character profile does not fit Trump, and he won’t play that role in the end. Who will? It’s too early to tell! There are several I have my eyes on, and a few I truly hope will jump into the fray – but it’s far to early to make such a prediction or endorsement!

In the meantime, suffice it to say… I’m enjoying the opening act. But Trump will have to vacate the stage so the headliner can perform.

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