LogFAQs > #965849135

StealThisSheen posted...

See, I think this is where we disagree. I don't feel the loyalty/devotion to Trump is all that special or unique at all, partly because they've shown such a willingness to turn on him already as soon as he steps out of line with what they expect of him, and partly because we've seen many others like him get similar reactions. Trump's is "special" in that he was the President, and he's clearly been chosen to run again. Were it Cruz that became President and did the exact same thing, I'd bet money Cruz would be in the exact same place Trump is right now.

I'm not sure Ted Cruz would, because Cruz has negative charisma and zero personality. I don't think he'd ever have the same level of popularity. Trump's popularity is mostly in the way people see themselves in him. (This is nothing done on his part, because I don't think he really knows how to take full advantage of it). I'd admit that George W. Bush was a good speaker (even if he could sound like an idiot at times. A lot of that was calculated)

But it's also important to note that Trump has chased people who agree with him out. Chasing away former Republicans. Chasing out moderates. I don't think charismatic people generally turn off people who agree with them. And more would've followed if some people didn't find him useful. He got them what they wanted most: Three SCOTUS seats. Some candidates do gain support from Trump's endorsement, and then some... lose support. People are cultish toward the Republican Party, which can make it appear to be cultish toward Trump (and at some level it is). But whenever he strays from the Republican message (Like when he almost pushed gun control after Parkland. The greatest sin a Republican can commit) they'll cut from him and find some sort of excuse for it.

He does have some strong appeal other candidates don't have. But I don't really think it's charisma or his speaking ability. It's just how brash he is. He says the things they want to be able to say.