The liberal/mainstream media are beginning to realize that Donald Trump could beat Hillary Clinton in November. While some of the most partisan writers are confidently expecting a Democratic landslide, the more perceptive observers realize that Clinton is a deeply flawed and vulnerable candidate who can take nothing for granted
Fred Hiatt of The Washington Post points out that most Americans are disappointed with the status quo and demand change, which is more likely to come from Trump than Clinton. He also reminds his readers that the same people predicting an easy Clinton victory also predicted that Trump could never be nominated. Those in Clinton’s campaign, he says, “need to be running scared”.
Stephen Stromberg, also of the Post, accuses the media of failing to understand Trump voters, as well as why Trump appeals to so many Americans. Stromberg warns that Clinton is handicapped by the fact that voters do not trust her, and may not believe a word she says about Trump.
Ian Swanson and Bob Cusack of The Hill, one of the major inside-Washington publications, say that Trump has “a path for him to beat the former Secretary of State”. They describe Clinton as “a candidate with deep vulnerabilities” and “weak approval ratings”. Their article discusses how Trump’s appeal to working class voters might allow him to win states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania – which have not voted Republican since the Reagan era. The pundits even believe that Trump might be able to win over a substantial portion of the Hispanic vote.
Jonathan Allen of Roll Call (another inside-Washington mainstay) described how effectively Trump has created negative images for his primary opponents and recognized that he could do the same to Clinton.
Does this mean that Trump can call the movers and schedule them for January 20? Not yet. Of the eleven polls taken since April 1, Clinton held the lead in nine and Trump in only one, with one tie. Clinton must still be considered the favorite. Trump is hampered by the fact that many constitutional conservatives still have their doubts about what kind of president he will be. These will be key swing voters of 2016. Trump must find a way to earn their support so that they do not stay home on Election Day, as many did in 2016.
Trump could begin by showing a genuine concern for constitutional restraint. He could release a list of Federal programs which he considers to be in violation of the Constitution’s Federalism, programs which should be the exclusive prerogative of the states. Trump could then pledge that every budget he sends to Congress will exclude all funding for these programs.
Trump could also begin a series of announcements which identify unconstitutional acts of President Obama – acts which the President of United States lacks the constitutional authority to carry out and which would be ended by Trump. He could begin with Obama’s amnesties for illegal aliens (DACA and DAPA). Trump could also insist that he will carry out no sustained military action without authorization from Congress,
Setting forth a clear position on the right to life, in line with previous platforms of the Republican Party, would be another important step. Trump should also promise to oppose any weakening of the abortion plank at the 2016 convention.
Trump has made a vague promise to “protect” American Christians, but his specific statements have sometimes contradicted this. His support for allowing men to enter women’s restrooms is just the most recent example. Trump needs a detailed program, listing which current executive branch actions would be immediately overturned and what changes in Federal law he would seek.
The promise to announce a list of conservatives from whom Trump would choose his Supreme Court nominees has not yet been fulfilled. The sooner this is done, the sooner conservatives will be able to determine whether it gives them a stake in Trump’s election.
Finally, Trump must give very careful thought to his choice of a vice presidential nominee. Given Trump’s frequent flip-flops and his attitude that everything is negotiable, conservatives need the reassurance of seeing a highly principled, constitutional conservative as his number two.
These are only a few of the opportunities for Trump to gain conservative support. Constitutional conservatives cannot be won over easily or quickly, but Trump must do what is necessary. Failure to add them to his coalition would make Trump just another loser, like Romney and McCain.
Please take our Constitutional Conservative Decision Poll. Tell us what you think this key voting bloc should do in 2016.
