Marc J. Yacht: “The Donald” trumps the Republican Party

The Donald clearly trumped the field of Republican presidential wannabes in Thursday’s Ohio debate. Fox kept the debate within its own cable network denying millions from watching. It could be heard online on Fox radio but proved difficult to follow.

Donald Trump separated himself quickly from the pack when he refused to agree to support whoever is selected the GOP presidential nominee. After all, The Donald is his own man and refuses to march in step to party leadership. The RNC must be having fits. Do they actually have a candidate that won’t follow Party rules? They demand obedience. Donald Trump is not one for obedience.

After the candidates bash each other right up to the convention, it smacks of insincerity to have a love fest with the determined nominee.

Meanwhile, the national audience ate up Trump’s refusal to walk the line. His comments vilifying political correctness increased his stature. The Donald could be described as a combination of P.T. Barnum, Huey Long and Big Daddy Pollit from Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

The Republican Party — filthy-rich from special interest money, especially the Koch Brothers’ — has trouble controlling a candidate who doesn’t care about their money. Party leaders are likely in round-the-clock discussion trying to figure out what to do about Trump.

The New York financier leads the pack and could continue. He’s suggested a possible independent run though he’d prefer to run as a Republican if given the nod. As an independent candidate, he’d likely kill a Republican presidential victory in 2016. Ross Perot gave similar grief to the party but didn’t have near the political following of Trump. Republican leadership knows they cannot afford to lose The Donald.

Democrats are enjoying the Republican clown show for the moment, but they best not get complacent. Their off-brand candidate is Bernie Sanders. People like his message but he has nowhere near Trump’s following. That leaves Hillary Clinton and her considerable baggage. Trump capitalizes on her history while voters indicate they’re fed up with tread-worn politicians, with the same for Jeb Bush. When a Sanders, Trump or Perot comes forward with a different message, people are reacting favorably.

Identified party puppets connected to big donors have lost credibility. What normally works with big money may not work anymore. The Koch Brothers have felt the pain in their pocketbook as Barack Obama was re-elected and Obamacare marched on. Recently, the Koch Brothers acknowledged their need of a friendlier agenda, particularly toward minorities.

Image makers are cashing on the mainstream candidates need to look presidential while Trump and Sanders, who look anything but, laugh up their sleeves. And the voters jump on their bandwagons.

Can there be a politician who tells it like it is, even an unacceptable message?  Vast sums are being spent to guide candidates’ talking points, now seen as pure B.S.  Quoting Ronald Reagan, “There they go again” with just the same ol’,  same ol’ piled deeper and deeper.

Then comes Trump who says he’s not following the script, he doesn’t need anyone’s money, and if you don’t like it – tough.

Trump’s message has grown into a very popular one despite his misogynist and antagonistic antics. Sanders inlays it more low-key without Trump’s flamboyance, but people are moving toward his message. That leaves the Clinton team with much homework, if in fact it can be assumed that she will be the flag bearer for the Democratic Party.

Much time remains before next summer’s party conventions, so I wouldn’t put my bet on anyone just yet. Sit back and enjoy the show.

Dr. Marc J. Yacht is a retired physician living in Hudson, Fla. Column courtesy of Context Florida.