By Zackary Nichols
Courier Staff Reporter
On June 26th, 2015, Donald Trump, Chairman and President of the Trump Organization, announced his bid for president of the United States, seeking the nomination of the Republican Party. From calling Mexican immigrants “criminals, drug dealers, and rapists,” to saying that our military POW’s aren’t heroes because “they got captured,” and stating that if “[Ivanka Trump] wasn’t my kid, I might date her,” Trump’s campaign has been riddled with controversies.
But, surprisingly, since mid-July Trump has been the Republican front runner in all public opinion polls nationwide. According to Real Clear Politics, 40% of prospective Republican voters say that they would vote for Trump in New Hampshire, 36% for South Carolina Republicans, 24% of California Republicans, and 30% nationwide as of September 15th. It’s the same story in every state, Trump leaving the other GOP candidates in the dust.
How has Trump’s campaign evolved from an office joke to the most likely to win the Republican nomination? Why are so many Americans willing to vote for a man who has blatantly disrespected the military, objectifies women, denies climate change and its effects, believes in the myth of vaccines being linked to Autism, wants to spend tens of billions of tax dollars on a giant wall between Mexico and the United States, and who wants to organize the largest mass deportation in the history of the United States?
“I don’t know why,” said an anonymous student. “He may have a couple of good ideas when it comes to tax policy, but not anything else. Maybe it’s because he seems really passionate.”
Another student thinks that “People like him because he’s famous, just like Ronald Reagan.”
Courier Columnist Kayla Martinez thinks that, “Trump is popular because some of the more extreme right-wingers have similar viewpoints as him. Some of the more extreme Republicans may not see every race at the same level or equal and I think Donald Trump may believe that as well. Also, Trump has a very strong voice and he’s not afraid to say what he wants, Republicans are drawn to that.”
According to Alvin Nguyen, “Trump says dumb things and it gets on the news and people find it funny. Then when the people are voting, they see his name and, not knowing anyone else, vote for him. The Media is only taking about him right now so people don’t know anybody else. People are all like, who’s this Jeb Bush?”
Courier editor Mary Asadulla thinks that Trump’s popularity is related to the fact that he’s “the loudest one so more people listen to him versus someone who’s more quiet like Ben Carson.”
“Well, obviously he’s a very open racist, whether he denies it or not,” affirms Carla Mason. “A lot of people like to support him as a joke, but some conservatives are very supportive of his views.”
On September 16th, Donald Trump, along with the other Republican candidates, participated in the second Republican debate in Simi Valley, California. Broadcast live on CNN, the debate showcased Trump being attacked by the other, more prepared, candidates. One memorable moment included Trump struggling to provide an explanation for his inappropriate remarks about fellow candidate Carly Fiorina’s face. Later, Trump appeared uncomfortable when discussing policy issues and simply remained silent.
According to a CNN/ORC poll, Trump’s numbers were hurt by the debate, but he still remains on top in polls nationwide at 24%. Carly Fiorina appears to have moved up to second place with 15%, with Ben Carson right behind her at 14%.
Courier Editor-in-Chief Amber Mcgee says that, “the fact that he is so popular with so many voters around the country really reveals that the people who say ‘racism is dead in America’ are totally lying to themselves.”
“I don’t like Trump, I feel like he has a lot of bad opinions on people without bringing out the best in them, I think that a person who wants to be president should be trying to bring out the best in our country, not try to tear it apart by bringing down the different individuals that make us diverse. Republicans need to be careful with who they believe and who they’re listening too” said Kayla Martinez.
Mary Asadulla doesn’t agree with Trump’s views on Immigration because she believes that “America is a safe haven for other people and most of the people who are illegal here are working. So there’s no need to kick them out. We should just give them citizenship.”
Manase Misa was much more blunt with his opinion on Trump. “Dude Donald Trump sucks. His hair looks like the top of corn and he seems just really racist.”
When asked who they would be voting for, Alvin Nguyen, along with everybody else at the lunch table, yelled, “Bernie Sanders!”
Young people have long been the smallest group of voters. Judging from these Logan students, that number might just go up next fall.
