Campaigning is not a natural act, even for people who have been in the public eye for years. So here is one easy rule of politics: When a candidate with some ability does something over and over and over again, he gets better at it. That’s what is happening with Donald Trump, to the chagrin of those in his party and beyond who hope to see his campaign collapse.
A recent Trump performance at a fairgrounds in Manassas, Va., plus a number of other speeches available on video, show that Trump has become a more polished performer on the stump. Yes, he still goes on for a long time — well over an hour in Manassas. And yes, he still wanders all over the lot. But in general, Trump’s campaign presentation is more focused, more polished and more powerful than it was when he began.
“We’re going to have fun considering we don’t have good subject matter,” Trump began in Manassas. What followed was about an hour and 15 minutes of classic Trump: His wealth, his polls, his deals, his TV show, his book, etc. But at the same time, Trump managed to convey concern about a number of issues important to the voters whose support he will need not only in the Republican primaries, but in a general election.
For example, Trump appeared sincere and affecting on the problem of student loans. “It’s one of the most heart-wrenching questions I get,” Trump said. Describing Americans who are trying to get a college education but find themselves trapped in debt — remember that Trump polls very highly with those who don’t have a degree — Trump conveyed empathy and a determination to fix things (while of course offering no specifics on how he’d do it). “Just about the only thing the federal government makes money with is student loans,” he said. “Maybe that’s the only thing it shouldn’t be making money with.”
Speaking in the exurbs of Washington, D.C., Trump took care not to demonize those who work for the federal government. Just the opposite, in fact. Describing his work to turn the Old Post Office into a luxury hotel, he said, “I’ve dealt with the GSA [Government Services Administration], and they’re really terrific people. You have some great people in government, you really do. If we can be led properly, this country is going to go to a level you wouldn’t believe.”
Trump always makes it a point to pay tribute to veterans, especially those who have been wounded in service, as he promises to clean up the Obama administration’s VA mess. He did that in Manassas.
Trump also addressed the environment, which hasn’t always been part of his presentation. “I want clear air, I want clean water, I want it to be immaculate, I want it to be sparkling,” Trump said. “But it’s gotten to a point, people are making a fortune off this stuff, and our businesses are getting hurt, our manufacturers can’t compete.” That’s a formulation — a generalized support for environmentalism coupled with rejection of climate change redistribution schemes — that probably attracts moderates as well as Republicans.
Of course there was immigration, with Trump suggesting that his out-there proposals have served to keep an important issue at the center of the campaign. “If I didn’t bring that up … we wouldn’t even be talking about illegal immigration,” he said.
There were riffs on taxes — Trump is pretty much in the GOP mainstream on that — plus the Islamic State, the Republican field, the debates and more.
Trump also showed a new ease in handling the inevitable protesters who show up at his events. “Oh, I hear some friends, I hear some friends,” he said as a group toward the back of the hall began yelling “Dump Trump!” Trump listened for a while, but as the demonstrators kept it up, he said, “Get them out, we have to — it’s not fair to the people. Will the police remove them very nicely, very gently please?” Trump was not only making a joke about the criticism he has received for handling protesters roughly in the past — he was also defusing a situation in a way that any top-tier candidate has to be able to do.
Trump has hinted in many places that his campaign style is changing. He’s trying to keep the entertainment factor while also addressing issues in a more effective way. In the long run, it could be that adopting a more conventional campaign style proves the death of the Trump phenomenon — maybe voters just want to see Wild Donald, after all — but in Manassas, Trump openly admitted that he wants to be taken seriously.
“I leave these places, and they’ll say [the crowds are] there because he’s a great entertainer,” Trump said. “I’m not here to entertain, folks. I’m not an entertainer … That’s not the reason you’re here. You’re here to vote. Please don’t waste my time with the entertainment stuff. I’m not an entertainer, believe me. I’m somebody that knows how to get things done.”
The crowd was of course pro-Trump, but not overwhelmingly committed to Trump. A number of people said they were shopping for a candidate; some said they particularly liked Ted Cruz or Ben Carson. But all shared a certain admiration for Trump.
“I like the way he has tipped over the apple cart,” said one man.
“He’s the only one who has fired up [Republicans],” said another.
“He’s a manager,” said a third, admiringly.
All said they weren’t bothered by the various controversies that have surrounded Trump.
One couple, Bobby and Susan Smith of Emporia, Va., qualified as serious Trump fans; the Manassas rally was their sixth Trump event. At each, they tried unsuccessfully to approach Trump after his speech, in hopes of sharing a word and having Trump sign a “THE SILENT MAJORITY STANDS WITH TRUMP” sign. In Manassas, they finally made it.
In their brief encounter, Bobby Smith, who says he voted for Barack Obama in 2008, told Trump the country is in bad shape and needs his help. “I’m going to take care of you,” Trump responded, according to Smith. The words hit home, Smith said: “There’s nobody talking about taking care of the country — he wants to take care of the people that are here.”
Nearly a month ago, Trump veered off the rails during a speech in Iowa when he went on a diatribe about Ben Carson. Not a little off the rails — completely off the rails for almost 10 minutes. For all the free-form nature of his campaign appearances, the Trump of today is a more disciplined campaigner, improving as the race keeps going.
