How Does Donald Trump Do It?

Pundits of all political stripes have a hard time (The Sensible Conservative, included) grasping how Donald Trump holds on to supporters after his many apparent gaffes and seemingly damaging declarations.  For those old enough to remember, he’s like the vintage Timex commercial that extolls the watch that “takes a licking and keeps on ticking”. 

Trump calls fellow GOP candidates “stupid” (one of his milder epithets), attacks Mexicans in general and dismisses venerated Viet Nam veteran John McCain as “not a war hero”. 

And his poll numbers go up.

Four years ago, respected Texas Governor Rick Perry couldn’t remember the third federal agency he wished to dismantle.  His campaign for the GOP nomination quickly slipped under the waves.  Herman Cain was the subject of rumors that he took advantage of female employees of his pizza company and his popularity evaporated.  Michelle Bachman and other Republican presidential candidates shared the same ending in 2012. 

So why is Donald Trump different? 

Maybe it’s this simple:  Unlike those candidates mentioned above, Trump’s  supporters think they know him already.  They’ve watched his TV shows and read his books.  He is a celebrity.  They like him. 

It’s natural for people to react defensively when someone they like is cast in an unfavorable light by others or by himself.  The fact of liking someone provides that person with a shield.  They either don’t believe, or ignore, the attacks and apparent missteps. 

Consider that a favored celebrity is, by that status, afforded a well of reserve good will that is available to offset perceived problems.

But caution is appropriate.  That well is not bottomless.  Ask another celebrity – once much more highly regarded than Trump is today:  Bill Cosby.

Also, for some others, to know Donald Trump is to not like him (according to polls, twice the number backing him).  They, like his fans, will not readily change their minds.  That would suggest a stout ceiling on his prospects of adding to his support.