While many spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference, it was Donald Trump who got the national attention and was covered in local newspapers around the country. The Repupublican nomination for president in 2012 is wide open and we should follow and report on the issue. His speech demonstrates an important development. The speech demonstrates that while other canidiates may know a lot more about government, Trump gets the national headlines because of his celebrity status
A Great Welcome
In his State of the Union Speech, President Obama outlined his economic policies, and his determination to be strong in foreign policy and win the war on terrorism. Donald Trump was not impressed with his foreign policy and he repeated a familiar criticism of the president.
Donald Trump got a tumultuous welcome and upstaged his fellow conservatives at the three day Conservative Political Action Conference. His problem is that he demonstrated that he is not Presidential Timber. The Republican presidential field is wide open and Trump may want to run in 2012. He said he would decide by June whether to run.
The annual event marked the unofficial start of the struggle for the Republican nomination for President. No Republican has announced his or her candidacy and there is no clear front runner in the race.
The Speech
Trump’s speech brought down the house and developed a circus-like atmosphere. He hit the right notes for this conservative audience stating that he is pro-life and emphasizing his support for the Second Amendment and its protection for the right to bear arms.
Potential candidates use this event to introduce themselves, test their message, and estimate their support.
Trump’s primary message is that the United States is the laughingstock of the world and he would recapture America’s respect in the world.
Analysis
His message is extremely disappointing, as this argument has been around forever and politicians use it all the time. As a matter of fact it goes back as long as one can remember. When President Nixon ran he said he was going to end the Vietnam War and restore America’s power and prestige in the world. Then President Carter was considered weak and vacillating in foreign policy and his presidency ended with the United States being humiliated during the Iranian hostage crisis. President Reagan said he was running to restore America’s reputation and status in the world. Once President Reagan was in office people said he was not intelligent enough and the United States has lost respect in the world. Next President Clinton was criticized as being too soft on terrorism and The Republicans vowed to restore America’s position in the world.
Finally, President George W. Bush was accused of being a so-called cowboy, and the United States had lost respect around the world. Of course, the Democrats said they would be more sensible in foreign policy and restore America’s prestige around the world. Now Donald Trump may be running for President and he is using the same old worn out argument that just about every presidential candidate has used.
It is a new day and a new era in American foreign policy. Donald Trump needs a new message and a new approach to foreign policy if he wants to be considered a serious presidential candidate.
Source: Liz Sidoti and Philip Elliot of the Associated Press, The Citizens’ Voice Newspaper, February 11, 2011
