When 125,000 balloons rain down on Donald Trump this week as he becomes the Republican Party’s presidential nominee at the national convention in Ohio, he had better go all in — or go home.
How? NO turning the GOP “big tent” into a bigger circus. Refusing to back down from political incorrectness and bold ideas.
Great hair is the main “attraction” that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence brings to the table, complementing Trump’s crazy hairdo as Trump’s vice president. (Trump himself complimented Pence, saying, “He looks very good.”) Pence may be a father figure Ken doll. Unfortunately, he is undecided on free speech, religious freedom and health care.
Trump likes to win, which will be challenging with a Mitt Romney-esque aide. You know, the former governor who changed his mind on abortion and spearheaded the Obamacare prototype. Pence also wavers on social issues and favors universal (i.e., bureaucratic) medicine, supporting Medicaid expansion in Indiana under Obamacare.
In 2015, Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law. But then Apple and eBay issued dire warnings to boycott Indiana, and LGBT activists lambasted the owners of a petite local pizzeria that didn’t serve same-sex ceremonies. So Pence cowered in a corner, bypassed the Indiana Legislature, and withdrew his signature on the bill.
Kind of like how President Obama used executive orders to bypass Congress and welcome 10,000 unvetted Syrian refugees to America. Spineless with a capital T.
Ahead of this week’s Republican National Convention, Trump should take some advice from Ohio’s historic champion, NBA star LeBron James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title.
LeBron Lesson #1: Winners Forge Their Own Path
“I feel like this is going to give me the best chance to win,” LeBron said when he controversially left Cleveland in 2010 to join the Miami Heat. His fans erupted in anger and sadness. His jersey was burned in the streets. His 10-story billboard, which dominated the downtown Cleveland skyline, was removed.
LeBron, despite everything, stayed powerful and followed his heart. His time away from Miami — developing into a better player and a more mature leader — turned out to be the best thing for Cleveland, as he returned and won a championship in 2016.
Likewise, as tough issues—such as race relations, refugees, and global trade—come to the forefront of the presidential campaign, Trump must address them head on. He cannot afford to embrace Pence’s political correctness. Or he will lose to Hillary. In a landslide.
“People are tired of political correctness, especially when the things that are being said are completely OK. It’s out of control. It’s a stalemate for their mouths,” Trump said in response to claims that his confident statements on immigration were offensive. He can’t start deleting tweets, apologizing or changing his mind in the future. He has to remain steadfast in his opinions.
LeBron Lesson #2: Winners Make Dream Teams
Americans loved Trump because he was a breath of fresh air. Finally, a man who “told it like it is” without fear. But Americans will just as quickly get rid of Trump if he continues to surround himself with “sycophants” like Governor Pence. We will feel betrayed and stay home on Election Day.
I suggest Trump show the voter segments he needs to win — namely independents, millennials, women and Bernie Democrats — that he won’t let them down. He can do that by doing what LeBron did to bring Cleveland its first major league championship since 1964: create a dream team. And then publicly announce the lineup of your dream team.
Pence won’t assist Trump win votes, except perhaps with a few establishment backers like Rep. Paul Ryan. I recommend Trump make an announcement like, “I’m going to make Sen. Rand Paul the Fed chairman; Sen. Ted Cruz the attorney general; and Rep. Justin Amash the secretary of state.” Those are the teammates Trump could rely on to win over undecided voters.
LeBron Lesson #3: “Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day”
Rush breeds waste, which is why LeBron famously told the press, “Rome wasn’t built in one day.” He takes his time. He moves at his own pace.
Trump must continue to resist the pressure from the establishment elites, the neoconservatives, and the RINOs. That will be challenging—because they will be all around him this week. But he can do it. Hillary Clinton has spent $23 million more on TV ads than Trump. She has outnumbered Trump’s team by nine to one. And she is still doing terribly. In behind schedule June, an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found that 33 percent of registered American voters believe Hillary believes what she says, compared with 56 percent who believe Trump believes what he says.
Americans don’t trust politicians. This week, Trump has a chance to prove to American voters that he’s not just another politician—that he won’t apply us and lose for us like John McCain and Mitt Romney. Don’t let us down, Donald. Do something great in Cleveland. Be a winner like LeBron. Or go home to New York.
