Tom Anderson ~ Republican Presidential front runner Donald Trump understands successful foreign diplomacy often comes down to who won’t back down. In consistent fashion, he showed Green Bay Packer-like tenacity in the 4th Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee.
Or perhaps he was more like General George S. Patton?
Trump doesn’t cower to anyone. Conceivably America’s next president with skyrocketing approval, his candor and directness are refreshing in contrast to the Obama Administration’s laughable foreign policy game face and losing score.
When it comes right down to it, who would you want to share a foxhole with in battle out of the current Republican and Democratic presidential candidates?
Trump is the easy choice, and he’s not even a veteran.
Donald Trump showed his acumen in Milwaukee during the FOX Business News debate with unequivocal affirmation that a president must be resolute in position, yet open-minded and rational. Trump won’t bow prostrate to anyone, contrary to the majority of his challengers.
Trump tenacity and fervor are reminiscent of General Patton’s Operation Torch and Battle of the Bulge victories in Europe during World War II employing “rapid and aggressive” action strategy.
“We are a country of laws. We need borders. We will have a wall,” exclaimed Trump, in the Milwaukee debate and pole positioned center stage while his opponents stood paralyzed and unwilling to join the novel and effective approach to ending illegal entry into the country.
When asked if he would interact with the likes of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Trump was pragmatic by answering, “If Putin wants to go in and knock the Hell out of ISIS, I am all for it 100% and I can’t understand how anybody would be against it. They blew up a Russian airplane. He cannot be in love with these people. He’s going in and we can go in and everybody should go in.” Senator Paul backed Trump by hobbling Governor Bush and Carly Fiorina on their misguided no-fly zone policy in Syria.
Trump showed mannerly reservation sprinkled with thoughtful deference when his colleagues on the dais interrupted each other. The fourth debate clearly marks his evolution into a traditional candidate role, albeit one with grit and the wherewithal to speak his mind. He avoided diatribes, succinctly contoured his message in the time allotted, and most importantly, maintained avoidance of the canned oration style Senator Rubio, Fiorina and Senator Cruz exuded.
Trump ferrets out and pummels political wimps. He overrides nervous moderators (this particular debate in Wisconsin had remarkably effective and neutral moderators in Maria Bartiromo, Neil Cavuto and Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Gerard Baker).
He is the commander who inspires his soldiers to win because it’s the right thing to do. “We don’t win anymore,” he admitted, and yet he extols the virtue of the winner’s effort and courage. That’s American.
“It’s not only Russia,” reminded Trump. “We have problems with North Korea where they actually have nuclear weapons. You know, nobody talks about it. We talk about Iran, and that’s one of the worst deals ever made. One of the worst contracts ever signed, ever, in anything, and it’s a disgrace.”
Trump was not only relevant, but also on point consistently with his assessment of diminished U.S. global dominance. When it comes to Ukraine, Trump highlighted behemoth neighboring economic powers like Germany aren’t engaged whatsoever in resolving the conflict but for benign commentary. He wouldn’t back down from calling China the root of many economic woes in the United States.
As real as it gets, he reminded the audience “We can’t continue to be the policemen of the world. We owe $19 trillion. We have a country that’s going to Hell. We have an infrastructure that’s falling apart: our roads, our bridges, our schools, our airports. And we have to start investing money in our country.”
Indeed, the 4th Republican Presidential debate is Donald Trump’s victory based on candor, directness and the gumption that General Patton and some of America’s greatest generals radiated in times of adversity.
America needs another Patton. Donald Trump may just be the right candidate for the job.
Five quotes attributed to General Patton that Donald Trump might have said:
“We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.”
“A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution applied ten minutes later.”
“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”
“There are three ways that men get what they want; by planning, by working, and by praying.”
“Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.”
Tom Anderson is publisher of APEonline, owns a PR firm, and hosts a radio talk show: TomAndersonShow.com
