High Self-Worth Celebrity Construction Worker Finishes 2nd In Suffolk University New Hampshire GOP Poll
Michael JF Matheron, June 23, 2015
Donald Trump, a wealthy part-time golf course designer, surged to a close second place behind the still mysterious Jeb! in a Suffolk University Political Research Center poll. Mr. Trump, a celebrity with tremendous success in the Gong Show category of Nielson’s rating system, entered the GOP presidential contest only a week ago. Nevertheless, New Hampshire’s Republican public has reacted in a way that is emblematic of our age: they think very highly of him, but they dislike him immensely.
The Suffolk University poll included 500 New Hampshire voters: 306 Republicans, 167 Independents, 20 Democrats, and seven others who still support Thomas Dewey (1902-1971), the late 20th Century GOP candidate who lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt (1944) and to Harry s. Truman (1948). When asked, “[W]ho would be your first choice to win the Republican nomination?”, 14.4% chose Jeb! (the first non-surname presidential candidate in U.S. history), 10.4% chose Mr. Trump, and 8.4% chose Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. [History note: If elected, Mr. Dewey would be the first American President elected posthumously.]
Interestingly, despite his high standing in the GOP field, Mr. Trump’s success there is belied by the simple fact that only 37.8% of the sample voters can actually stomach the man. The obnoxious bridge tender from New Jersey, Chris Christie, will need to fire up his unfavorables to close what’s 
been labeled the “Hitler gap.” Suffolk University’s poll revealed that Christie, with a 42.2% unfavorable rating finished a distant second to Mr. Trump’s 48.6%. Christie will have to close a lot of bridges to appear even worse to voters, but keep an eye on him, all is not lost yet. He might be indicted.
Finally, among those who ventured an opinion on favorability, Trump ruled the chickenhawk roost again with 37.4%. Christie? 43.6%. With his unfavorable lead, that’s a “defecta” win for Trump.
So, in a turn that would have seemed bizarre in the 20th century, New Hampshire Republicans chose Mr. Trump as their 2nd choice in the NH primary, but, simultaneously, most who shared an opinion on the matter cannot countenance the man. A seasoned impresario can accomplish greatness, however, and these days, a frightfully horrific personality is less a bar to success than in past years. Witness Glenn Beck. Size up Bill O’Reilly. Conjure for a moment Dracula. He made millions at the box office. Bonnie and Clyde got fan mail in their day! And consider Dick Cheney’s personality (not on a full stomach).
Let’s face it, being a despicable person poses no obstacle to success. Donald Trump is clearly deplorable enough to achieve the presidency and to turn the National Mall into a driving range. It’s a time of wonders, inexplicable though they are.
