A year ago, when the billionaire real estate developer and “reality” TV star announced his candidacy for the presidency, it was widely regarded as little more than a temporary, if wildly entertaining, diversion in the long, exhausting journey to the 2016 election.
Political pundits, for whom assessing the viability of presidential candidates is their stock and trade, quickly dismissed Trump as side-show. Most predicted he would bow out of the race by the time the Iowa caucuses were held in early February. Certainly, he would fade back into the background by the Super Tuesday primaries of March, as the contenders were separated from pretenders as wheat is separated from chaff.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the White House.
Trump is not just still in it, he may win it.
Oddsmakers certainly believe Trump will win the Republican nomination, making him a prohibitive favorite, with odds of 1-to-2. Marco Rubio’s odds are 3-1 at present while Ted Cruz is a 10-1 long shot.
Trump is the odds-on favorite in Mississippi, too, currently projected as the favorite of 47 percent of the state’s GOP voters.
The odds, of course, are fluid and with only three states having had primaries/caucuses, calling Trump the winner is like declaring the winner of marathon after the first mile.
In a head-to-head meeting with likely Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump remains the underdog — Clinton’s odds in that match-up are currently 11-10 compared to Trump’s 13-5 odds.
Even so, it should be apparent that Trump has gone from comic diversion to serious candidate and the prospects of a Trump presidency are not easily dismissed.
The secret to the businessman’s success has been appealing to those who like bold, easy solutions to complex problems. Illegal immigration? Put up a wall and send Mexico the bill. See how easy that is? ISIS? Trump will put an end to that by lunch.
Americans are tired of government that does not seem to have the will or ability to solve any problem.
Trump, then, offers something better. He’ll make quick work of those problems and America will be “great again.”
He is a “bottom line” candidate, a populist whose positions resonate powerfully with Americans angry, frustrated and disillusioned with a gridlocked and acrimonious Washington.
President Trump?
It is no longer a punchline. It’s a distinct possibility.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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