Donald Trump Wields a Double Edged Sword

Among most conservatives – in fact, most Americans – Donald Trump’s comments on immigration resonate (to an extent).

Certainly, frustration with Washington’s failure in the past several decades to stem the flow of immigration cuts across party lines.  Presidents from Ronald Reagan on share the blame.  In fact, anger comes to the fore when, as happened last week in San Francisco, an American is shot and killed by an illegal alien previously deported. 

“Why can’t we protect our borders?” is the outcry. 

Donald Trump pledge to do that and utters statements blasting criminal elements among Mexican immigrants without making a distinction between those who are here legally and those who are not.

Of course, the “open-border” types tend to label anyone opposed as bigots,  anti-immigrant and hard-hearted.  Trump plays into their hands.  His bombastic comments scare off those who would otherwise be allies in efforts to halt illegal immigration.

Most Americans want to be considered as reasonable, fair people.  We value what others think of us.  We don’t consider ourselves as racists or bigots.  (Of course, as do all people everywhere and of whatever background and racial heritage, we have our prejudices.)  We want to get along.

So we are sensitive to being in situations or circumstances that might cause others to think ill of us.  And that includes the company we keep.

Who wants to be seen as “being with” Donald Trump?

Trump is his worst enemy (and who cares about the fate of the loud-mouthed egomaniac?).  Far more importantly, he hurts the cause of lawful immigration.   Unfortunately, if one opposes illegal border crossings, one is lumped together with reality show host “The Donald”.  For serious GOP hopefuls, that’s not a welcome prospect.  Yet the subject must be confronted. The public expects resolute action.

Rest assured, with or without Donald Trump’s presence, feared epithets (“racist, etc.”) will be leveled against Republican candidates by the mainstream (“left”) media.  It’s more than a shame that those on the right will have to expend efforts to throw off the Trump albatross, as well.