They're both corrupt in their own ways.

I am sure he wants to win but his tendency to shoot himself in the foot may reveal his subconscious fear of victory. His most dangerous foe is the mainstream media and they pounce on anything he says that could be misconstrued and used against him. However, he has a powerful weapon that he can use against them if he chooses to do so. He can point out that they are trying to influence the outcome of the election. That means that they want to influence rather than inform the electorate. That is the task of a propagandist not of a journalist. If he were to declare loud and clear and repeatedly that the MSM is nothing more than the propaganda arm of the liberal-progressive establishment and cannot be regarded as legitimate journalists he would produce copy that would be impossible to ignore. Also in stead of speaking in a way that can be understood he should speak in a way that cannot be misunderstood.

Trump may be his worst enemy, not because of what he says, but how he says it. Like Zig Ziglar used to say, "It's not the same to say you look like the first day of spring, than to say you look like the first day after a long hard winter."
Nevertheless, once said and the media and never trumpers attack him, it turns out he was bringing our attention to something that needed attention.
For example, BHO/Hillary started ISIS. No one would say it, he did. Media and never trumpers went like sharks on a feeding frenzy. It turns out, that now that it's out there, it's true. There's even a video of BHO in a conference before pulling out of Iraq in which he lists the organizations the United States was training at the time to help the Iraqi government, in the list, yes he did, he said we were training the ISIS group in Iraq. That in addition to the historical events that took place after we left Iraq. Somewhat like Nixon and Vietnam.

And Hillary would forever be thankful. Besides, I pragmatist will always be better than a corrupt lifelong career politician.

Oh, he wants to win.

But that's my point: the defeated others were defeated out of ignorance of the real problem; that ignorance will cost Rep.s the election. The elites will still be in power in '20 since no lesson was learned here.

Unfortunately, the upcoming election is about who will do the most damage to the country not about who will do the most good. Consider that a Clinton victory would probably sweep more liberals into congress than a win by Trump. The impact of this would be devastating. A Trump victory, on the other hand would likely result in a stalemate between the executive and legislative branches. Trump could, as he has promised, rescind many of Obama's executive orders but passing any major new legislation would be a steep climb. My real concern is that Trump is acting like someone that doesn't actually want to win.

I think we are worrying too much about Trump's obvious rough manner of speaking and personality traits. We also worry too much about the office of the president. If we can take what he is saying he will ATTEMPT to do as even partially true, he is BY FAR the better choice.

In the end, however, what we will see, if he wins, is that our "separation of powers" will FINALLY be implemented full swing again. The DC political class are not going to just lay down for him as they did for Obama, for whatever reason you wish to assign (they liked what Obama was doing to gather power, his skin color, his thuggishness, and fear). For Hillary, it will be business as usual and we will continue our way over the abyss of tyranny.

It used to be that "citizen politicians" were what we desired. Why not now? Trump ain't perfect. No one will ever be. However, he's done well in his business and, if you look at his family, he seems to be a pretty good guy. No, he doesn't study the Constitution, probably wouldn't recognize it if it was laid down in front of him. However, he's obviously not stupid and he will learn. In no way do I think he is evil. I think he's just a carnival barker-ish (a very American historical character) guy who wants to do good for his country. I tend to think positively about people until they prove me wrong. There's nothing in his past that would make me believe that he wants to destroy this country as Obama has wanted to do. Hillary just doesn't care what happens to the country or its people as long as it benefits her. This, alone, makes it imperative that he wins.

And, in the meantime, how do we start a strong movement to oust politicians after one or two terms in office? Many of this country's problems would be fixed if WE THE PEOPLE implemented term limits by voting out incumbents every election.

I found the article superficial, a lot of conclusions, but not many specifics. So, if their is no Objectivist candidate, do we disdain them all, or pick based on reasoned thought, dismissing most of what the moron media gives us? Trump is like an old time businessman, the self-promotion is part of it. However, he managed to avoid alcohol based on family history, and he raised level-headed kids. If he was as self-promoting as the article said, he woudl have crashed and burned in business by now. We have to choose a candidate, we can't just sit on our hands and flip a coin on election day. Remember Obama, no vetting by the press, no background checks, and Brit DNA tests show he is not even related to the Obama! Have you seen a marriage photo, the kids as babies? We know way more about Hillary. She pent time in the h hospital pre-college for being manic,she has lied her whole lif,e and tried to manipulate Watergate documents as a college student. She has become rich selling out our country, over $100 million. Now she wants to mplement UN Agenda 21, end property rights, brind our economic level down - even if it mans asking law enforcement fi they will use guns against US citizens to implement Agenda 21. Gus gun bans are not for those promoting her agenda. Hillary is a Marxist and her 92-page thisis says it all. So, Trump is not a politician, does not watch every word and does not express a political philosophy, so? I worked in a Congressional office, and I can tell you political philosophy goes out the window with polls and reelection campaigns.

I agree that Trump is not a great choice, hell he's not even a good choice. But he is the only choice that can beat Hillary. And for that reason alone he has my vote.

But none was left standing. For today and now, it's Trump. Your argument is a consideration next elections. In this election only one of two candidates is going to win the presidency. No one else can. Anyone who says otherwise is dreaming. If Hillary wins, we'll have a third Obama like term or should I say a Mr. Thompson like term. Then I hope the Gulch is a real place.

For me, elected national positions should be a term limit positions, not a cash cow. Harry S. Truman once said something to the effect that no man could get rich in politics, unless he was a crook. We've seen too many of those recently. State level, I don't care whatever the individual States like.

LOL. Dry gulched again. The pure Objectivists, the pure Conservatives, having accomplished nothing in the past 55 years ,argue over angels on the head of a pin while the last hope of freedom sends them in to fits of jealous rage.

Exactly.
One's self interest should never in conflict with what is best for a country. But when the country becomes Statist as in the U.S., then conflict should exist. Unfortunately, Trump is too much of a Statist and a pragmatist.

The problem with Trump is that he is the result of the Rep. elites failing to uphold principles. Voters then, without guidance, simply looked for a non-politician, ignoring the fact that other candidates existed who were not "corrupt lifelong career politicians" who actually could have beat Hillary.

Amazing that he waltzed right through the republican party nomination. Says a lot for these morons.

The only thing that constrains him is his ego and self-interest, much more predicable, less dangerous and lesser of two evils WRT Hillary. She is still the worst.

He has deserved most of the attacks.
Trump is scary! Not that Hillary isn't.

He gave you the evidence. Trump is a pure pragmatist. No rational person could vote for him - unless he really believed that Hillary would do more damage. I think this is the first time in our history where it would be appropriate for the entire country to abstain from voting.

I thought this article was a piece of junk. What arrogance this author has ! Trump turned a few million into multiple billion over 30 years by hard deal-making and knowledge of his industry. Does the author not deem whatever it required for Trump to achieve this 'work' ? Or only opining of the author is work ? Reading it certainly is.

"Objectivists have no problem with self-promotion and EARNED fame and fortune. They do have a problem with con men and snake oil salesmen who buy votes based on fraud and conscious misrepresentation of their intentions. In a very real sense, Donald Trump is the most unprincipled person ever to run for the Presidency."

What shred of evidence does the author offer to make this assertion ?

Could be, but not important. With a lifetime of selling everything they can, access being a major item in their inventory, I'll take my chances with Trump. This past two weeks of anything "establishment" (media, Dems, and GOP) massive attacks on Trump shows the Fallacy of Diversion, as well as outright lies, works well.

Looking at the alternative, whatever Trump is or ends up not being, that's what I am at the moment. Right now I'm for taking the power away from corrupt lifelong career politicians for either party. That's why Trump is fighting on all three fronts against fearful politician, complicit media and a dreadfully corrupt Clinton crime family.

So he will adhere to his own self interests. Perhaps, being so narcissistic and a "praise and fame hound"...it will be in his own self interest to something good.
Now, all we have to worry about is his interpretation of what is good.

Spot on article. Thumbs up +100.

Trump reminds me of someone who has had 4 martinis too many. He believes he knows everything and anyone who disagrees must be crushed.
Unfortunately Trump never sobers up.