Pure speculation: will the other shoe ever drop?

[malthaussen]

As the title says, just a little speculation:

Does Donald Trump really want the job of President of the U.S., or is he running some con and will drop out sooner or later? If the latter, how might he engineer it to get the most strokes for his invincible narcissism? He may have given a hint earlier, when he demanded four million dollars to participate in the debates. Will he demand a HUUUUGE pay increase to take the job, and then take his ball and bat and play elsewhere when he doesn't get it? It's hard to see how a personality like his could willfully put an end to sopping up all the slobbering adulation and attention he's getting, but does he at some point realize he's signing up for what is potentially a really, really hard job? Or is he so psychotic that he actually thinks he can do the job if elected? Does the other shoe ever drop? Or does he really hope to wear them all the way to the White House?

-- Mal

[jonno99]

1. I think he is a little surprised that is is ahead. His ego is stoked, but I'm not sure

he really wants the job...

[madokie]

2. For one thing

I can't imagine that there's enough voters that will vote for him to ever make it to Pennsylvania Ave

I just don't see that ever happening. I'd say a portion of those who come to see him are there for the comic relief. Like I told my wife this morning if I felt better I'd trek over to Tulsa and go see him and sparkle moose just for that comic relief.

[malthaussen]

5. I've often thought the same.

That people who respond to polls, or "man-in-the-street" interviews are just trolling the rest of us. But I'm not speculating about Mr Trump's electability, but his state of mind. Is he just trolling us, or is he really serious?

-- Mal

[madokie]

7. I think he simply is feeding his own ego

Not ever giving this all much thought when he began this journey.

There is no way he can save face at this point in time. No matter what he does he will be seen as a buffoon just like what he is. IMO

[Johonny]

3. He wants the title of president, not the job of president

Much like W he knows it will look good in the history books, but W discovered the job is hard and you can't half ass it for 8 years without serious shit going wrong...

[mac56]

4. ^ THIS ^

[malthaussen]

6. Oh, I like that.

Fits very well with the phenomenon. And W got drunk off the adulation, too, especially when telling people how great America was after 9/11 and that "Mission Accomplished" deal.

-- Mal

[librechik]

8. I changed my mind. I think he'll stay as long as he's allowed.

The only question is whether the party machine will ever allow anyone who isn't a yoked and chained member of their personal little fuck club to be the Puppet in Chief. And it has nothing to do with voters. The club counts the votes. So vote all you want--nothing will ever change.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/10/18/vote-all-you-want-the-secret-government-won-change/jVSkXrENQlu8vNcBfMn9sL/story.htm

[malthaussen]

9. I don't even think that is in question.

No way the Establishment nominates Mr Trump. But assume, for the present (and I agree, it takes a great suspension of disbelief) that Mr Trump is not completely a cretin. Say he knows there is no way he gets the nomination, despite how popular he is. How does he back out? He may well have gone too far.

-- Mal

[librechik]

10. the behavior of narcissists like Trump is usually pretty easy to predict

he receives "a final insult" throws a fit and sweeps off the stage in a huff.

However, since his narcissism has received plenty of validation, thanks to the media (not the voters) it's hard to say what would be a big enough provocation to make him leave.

I don't think anybody knows. But we are all sure that something will come along.

It might have something to do with the actual number of delegates he is able to amass, once the primaries start up.

Or something vile in his personal life? God knows what that could be since his generally crappy character is obvious to all and they love him more for it. Because America is great.

[surrealAmerican]

11. I figure we'll know by about April.

We could maybe start a betting pool.

[hfojvt]

12. is the job REALLY that hard?

I mean Reagan did it, even when he had Alzheimers.

Any job is only hard if a person is really concerned about doing a good job. Especially when you are at the top and not really answerable to anybody. Down the totem pole it is harder, because the people on top can dump crap on you if they don't like what you are doing.

As President, he's only answerable to the people, and so far he's proven to be kinda good at fooling them. At least fooling enough of them to win a primary.

[malthaussen]

13. Fair point.

But it is stressful. No one who goes in comes out unchanged. Reagan, of course, had Grecian Formula #6.

-- Mal

[NobodyHere]

14. "Any job is only hard if a person is really concerned about doing a good job..."

I'm not surprised this quote comes from a Jet's fan.