Is the Trump-Romney Partnership Sustainable?
Published in Le Figaro
(France) on 30 May 2012
by Véronique Saint-Geours (link to original)
(France) on 30 May 2012
by Véronique Saint-Geours (link to original)
Translated from
by Hughie Coogan.
Edited by Jonathan Douglas.
Tycoon Donald Trump has taken the helm of the Romney gondola, irritating and intriguing Washington's political circles. This week, Trump, acting as the Republican camp’s celebrity leader, got off to a strong start with some delightful promotions that put him firmly in the spotlight, with Mitt Romney in the position of hillbilly cousin. Whether it’s a dinner for three dollars, a fundraiser in Las Vegas or a night at the Trump hotel, fans were invited to a rendezvous with Trump who would be joined by ... Mitt Romney — and not the other way around. Are the Republicans starting to go insane?
Due to impressions of choking and venomous press release retorts concerning Romney's inability to be president if he lacks moral sense at this point, the Obama campaign has run out of steam on the issue. Analyses, including those from The Washington Post, have been dissecting the Romney-Trump affair and the interests each party may have for using the other. Since we are in Vegas, let's bet on how long this couple will stay together.
The two accomplices — Romney and Trump — are not completely clueless or naïve, and the foundation of their newly-formed union is one that is mutually beneficial. Is it a marriage of convenience for money or for access to new friends? The Washington Post challenges the arguments that claim Trump provided the money for the party base.
Donald Trump's charisma with modest voters – and his ability to extort three dollars from them, is obvious. Furthermore, Trump is popular with those Republicans that Romney has not been able to reach. But the Romney campaign really does not need these small donations to its war chest. In April it picked up $40 million, as did its competitor. And the $800 million pot for the overall budget is within reach.
As for those attracted by Trump, they chose their favorite all by themselves. If Trump knew how to speak to the people, then all this electorate would have to do would be to start supporting Romney, as soon as it was clear that Romney was the only one in mind.
So how has their strange encounter come about?
Trump is an “anarchist” who only lives for his fame. He only exists in the media spotlight. This is his fuel. A presidential campaign is an exceptional event held once every four years and Romney is his last chance in. Since the start of the 2012 edition, he has basked in his own glory. Taking his position with the theory of the birthers, Trump has experienced the racket and ruckus of the media, as well as humiliation at the hands of Obama himself during a dinner in Washington in May of 2011. He started with Obama's questionable degrees but ended up in absolute failure. He supported Gingrich for a while and then finally Romney. He goes wherever the spotlight moves. He makes use of journalists and knows he must give them a little something.
Romney's tropism toward Trump is more difficult to understand. Is this the attraction of a conservative for an inflated and boastful rogue? Is Mitt Romney fascinated by this character, one who is continuously in the media's vision, swallowing what he says because the campaign is long and Trump is a marvelous entertainer? Is this the case? What he says does not matter, and Trump has respect for the rules. He is a star who moves in the light, whereas Romney lives in a political world that has rules -- and Trump's character is ungovernable. He keeps going with tweets here and there talking absolute rubbish about Obama's birth, while he avoids the counter-truths on CNBC. He knows that his only obstacle is the media’s disinterest in him. And that's what makes the relationship stand.
But the longer this story lasts, the longer the eventual break will affect a lone Romney.
Due to impressions of choking and venomous press release retorts concerning Romney's inability to be president if he lacks moral sense at this point, the Obama campaign has run out of steam on the issue. Analyses, including those from The Washington Post, have been dissecting the Romney-Trump affair and the interests each party may have for using the other. Since we are in Vegas, let's bet on how long this couple will stay together.
The two accomplices — Romney and Trump — are not completely clueless or naïve, and the foundation of their newly-formed union is one that is mutually beneficial. Is it a marriage of convenience for money or for access to new friends? The Washington Post challenges the arguments that claim Trump provided the money for the party base.
Donald Trump's charisma with modest voters – and his ability to extort three dollars from them, is obvious. Furthermore, Trump is popular with those Republicans that Romney has not been able to reach. But the Romney campaign really does not need these small donations to its war chest. In April it picked up $40 million, as did its competitor. And the $800 million pot for the overall budget is within reach.
As for those attracted by Trump, they chose their favorite all by themselves. If Trump knew how to speak to the people, then all this electorate would have to do would be to start supporting Romney, as soon as it was clear that Romney was the only one in mind.
So how has their strange encounter come about?
Trump is an “anarchist” who only lives for his fame. He only exists in the media spotlight. This is his fuel. A presidential campaign is an exceptional event held once every four years and Romney is his last chance in. Since the start of the 2012 edition, he has basked in his own glory. Taking his position with the theory of the birthers, Trump has experienced the racket and ruckus of the media, as well as humiliation at the hands of Obama himself during a dinner in Washington in May of 2011. He started with Obama's questionable degrees but ended up in absolute failure. He supported Gingrich for a while and then finally Romney. He goes wherever the spotlight moves. He makes use of journalists and knows he must give them a little something.
Romney's tropism toward Trump is more difficult to understand. Is this the attraction of a conservative for an inflated and boastful rogue? Is Mitt Romney fascinated by this character, one who is continuously in the media's vision, swallowing what he says because the campaign is long and Trump is a marvelous entertainer? Is this the case? What he says does not matter, and Trump has respect for the rules. He is a star who moves in the light, whereas Romney lives in a political world that has rules -- and Trump's character is ungovernable. He keeps going with tweets here and there talking absolute rubbish about Obama's birth, while he avoids the counter-truths on CNBC. He knows that his only obstacle is the media’s disinterest in him. And that's what makes the relationship stand.
But the longer this story lasts, the longer the eventual break will affect a lone Romney.