Romney and the Trump card

Trump has put his money on Romney.

Last week the copper-colored business mogul declared that he was endorsing Mitt Romney for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

While some may say this is God’s blessing placed upon Romney, it may actually have no real effect.

A Pew survey last month found that 64 percent of definite and likely GOP voters would not change their vote based on Trump’s choice. Only 13 percent said they would vote for Trump’s candidate.
 
So, 13 percent may seem futile, but it is still disappointing.

Looking at all the GOP voters, this is still a hefty sum of people who let their minds be tilled by the creator of “The Apprentice.”

In case this is not intrinsically atrocious, let’s take a look at Trump’s track record in this 2012 election process.

During spring last year, the man began teasing us all with the thought of actually running for president with his main reason being the fact that America is becoming “the laughing stock of the world.”

Eventually Trump’s aspirations for the White House dwindled, but that did not stop him from dipping into the political pool.

In April, he expressed great disinterest in Romney to CNN and criticized him for all the jobs he would eliminate.

Accepting the fact that he was no longer going to run, Trump then thought he could try a new angle and moderate a GOP debate.

While some entertained this circus, others immediately decided they would have no part in it, which ultimately led to the reality show star’s dream being crushed.

Trump then turned his eyes toward Gingrich, thinking he might be a viable candidate.

But somehow, miraculously, he went back to Romney.

Is Donald Trump really a man we should listen to for political guidance? Should he even be allowed to express preference for a candidate after all this indecisive showmanship?

Setting out to save America from being “the laughing stock of the world,” Trump has flagrantly abused politics and has easily become a reason why the world could laugh at us.

While Trump has proved to be a ridiculous figure, he does serve as a significant and helpful reality check.

He has set the bar for celebrity involvement in politics.

The general public now, almost hyperbolically, knows the dangerous  effects celebrity involvement can have in the political process.

Trump has taught us that, while we look up to celebrities in almost all facets of life, we cannot blindly follow all of them.

Our modern King Midas has opened our eyes to the fact that celebrities are not often knowledgeable on all fronts.

So, to the 13 percent out there, do yourself a favor and reconsider your choice.

And for the rest of Americans, remember the extended lecture in idiocy that Trump has delivered for election season in 2016.

­— sjostrow@indiana.edu