Cal Thomas: The Trump appeal

MARY REICHARD, HOST: Today is Thursday, January 18th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Mary Reichard.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown. Up next: what was on the minds of Iowans when they chose Donald Trump? Here’s WORLD Commentator Cal Thomas on what is driving Trump’s political wins so far.

CAL THOMAS: Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich appeared on Fox News Monday night as Iowa voters delivered a decisive victory for former President Donald Trump–furthering his quest to win the Republican nomination and a second term as president. Gingrich joyfully predicted that Trump would not only win the nomination but would easily win the White House in November.

Gingrich may be right, but voter turnout in Iowa was down from four years ago and the lowest in more than a decade. Sub-zero temperatures were likely a contributing factor, as was the view by some that Trump had the race in the bag, so why go out in freezing conditions? It is also a caution to recall that not every GOP winner of the Iowa caucuses in recent years has won their respective party’s nomination.

In his victory remarks, Trump displayed a rarely seen quality–praise of his opponents Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy. Setting aside his usual fiery rhetoric, Trump called for unity in a low-key victory speech.

Establishment pundits remain shocked over Trump’s continued appeal to a large swath of the country, including an uptick in support among black and hispanic voters. But four years isn’t that long ago when one considers gas prices and mortgage rates were lower during the Trump presidency, the U.S. was less involved in foreign wars, inflation was down, and migrants weren’t flooding over our border in record numbers.

Of course, when it comes to these issues, presidential actions aren’t all that matter. But it isn’t difficult to understand the reasons Trump continues to have a firm grip on his supporters, despite his divisive rhetoric and legal challenges. They include an establishment that has refused to acknowledge the anger felt by many Americans over a dysfunctional Congress, the $34 trillion debt, and the constant bickering among politicians. Trump supporters see unequal justice driven by political agendas, including the mishandling of Hunter Biden’s tax issues and prosecutors who target Trump.

Trump’s popularity also reflects the rejection of establishment politics by many voters. Consider that 19 states have approved a Convention of States to invoke Article 5 of the Constitution. Supporters hope to enact term limits and require a balanced federal budget. The Convention of States website shows that even more states either have passed the resolution in one legislative chamber or are considering it. Thirty-four states are needed. A Trump victory might encourage more states to sign on.

Instead of dwelling on Trump’s personality, Washington politicians and the media ought to be examining the reasons behind voter anger and desire to move the country in a different direction. That’s what Trump is promising. It is the reason he won big in Iowa and may run the table in every other primary state.

I’m Cal Thomas.

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