Live by data, die by data, at least in terms of some opinions. Trump was one of several Republican presidential candidates who had negative favorability ratings among likely Republican primary voters in PPP polls in Mayand June. There is no reason for Republicans to pick a candidate they don't like when there are a bunch they do like, so these candidates, including Trump, could be safely ignored. Of course, there's always the caveat of "pending new information"; new information would include this new poll showing Trump's favorability has drastically improved.
That ABC News/Washington Post poll is from July 15. A Yougov poll on July 9 showed the rise in Trump's favorability into positive territory, though his unfavorables remain high. In other words, Trump is a divisive figure among Republicans. The same nutty Mexicans-are-rapists sort of statements that caused many Republicans to rally to him are causing other Republicans to just cringe. We can tell in their difficulty coming up with responses to Trump, the "he phrased it badly but has an important point" sort of statements, that they don't know what to do with him. For as much as I discouraged Democrats from paying attention to Trump because he's a distraction from the candidates we might actually face a year from now, he's an even bigger distraction to Republicans.
So hang him around Republicans' necks. Make him their albatross.
How? We haven't really had to try at the presidential level. The press is all over anything he says and goes to other candidates for comment --- so far. The shine will wear off the bauble at some point, and we want to delay that day as long as possible. Besides, it isn't just about the presidential race, or at least it doesn't have to be. I see no reason not to make any Republicans either denounce Trump and put themselves at odds with their base, or try to wriggle out of it which is sure to be embarrassing. Maybe the damage will have worn off by election day 2016, but maybe not, and we are only three and a half months away from the 2015 election (keep reminding other Democrats that odd-numbered years matter --- if you thought the midterm drop-off was bad...). So let's be more than passive spectators.
As much as we're warned away from internet activism on the grounds that activism can be easy or effective, but rarely both, I think I see one of those rare instances. Go to mainstream media web sites and click on the Trump stories, especially those about him saying something stupid (yes I know, that's almost all of them). Everybody counts which stories get clicked on. If that feels too much like gaming the system, then read the story. I'll at least skim it just so I feel honest, though I own up that I can't stand listening to him, so the odds of listening to interviews is pretty much nil. Clicking the links on conservative sites too should help, since they want clicks and will get the message that Trump means clicks.
Then make the spinners unhappy. Ask Republican politicians and media personalities to respond to some Trump statement they haven't responded to, or responded to badly. Be ready to record the answer. This shouldn't be difficult when most people now carry phones with video cameras built in, and almost all digital cameras can record video now, though I suppose check before assuming. Google owns Youtube, and since most of us have a Google account, we have a Youtube account. Post your video of the discomfited GOP candidate. You can post video on Facebook, but Youtube is just more findable and sharable. Capture moments like Rick Santorum's bad answer, and Republicans will have every reason to wonder if Trump is a Democratic plant.
So click some links, charge your camera battery, and have the popcorn ready.
#ThisGuyWantsToBePresident
cross-posted at MN Progressive Project