Trump & The Big Tent

CBS NEWS.COM

It is disappointing that the politics in our nation has reached such a low level that Donald Trump is now moderating his own Republican Debate scheduled for December 27.  In conjunction with NewsMax, The Donald will be host and moderator of this event.  Thankfully, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman dismissed it out of hand.  Mitt Romney indicated that he could not attend due to scheduling commitments.  In other words, thanks but no thanks.

Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have both said yes.  If Herman Cain was still in the race, he would most certainly be in attendance. It seems clear that this is one more attempt on Trump’s part to stay relevant in his public’s eye.  No more than his less than-serious, all-about-me approach to his brand.  Why any candidate would want to participate in what surely will be The Donald Trump Show is beyond me.  No question Trump knows what he’s doing but I question what is going on in the Republican Party.  I can’t imagine a serious candidate saying yes to such a circus. 

I really believe the Republicans are shooting themselves in the foot with “silliness”.  You do have some candidates who are serious about wanting to lead this nation.  It’s hard to take them serious when they are contending with candidates who are just in it for their 15 minutes of fame and the fortune that will follow.  Then you have had the likes of Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman who have done such a disservice to serious, well-educated and informed women everywhere.

If this circus continues, there won’t be a serious debate between the two parties for the Presidency.  Our nation continues to face significant challenges.   These challenges require serious people.  Even in disagreement and partisan politics, serious people understand the basic issues and are well-informed of a whole range of solutions.  These fringe events and candidates bring little substance to the table and seriously harm the ones who really want to make a difference.  Donald Trump is just one more Flim-Flam Man who is serious about building his brand but in the process he harms the brand of the Republican Party.

It is shameful when you think of the millions of Americans without work; the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost their homes; the millions without health care.  What about all our service men and women overseas in combat zones.  What are these fine folks to think when they see all our political leaders under the “Big Tent” rather than in serious debate and discussion over the issues that remain unresolved?