http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/266861-axelrod-trump-nearing-a-hostile-takeover-of-gopJanuary 25, 2016, 07:52 am
Axelrod: Trump nearing a ‘hostile takeover’ of GOP
By Mark Hensch
Democratic strategist David Axelrod believes that GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump has dominance of the Republican Party within his grasp.
“What seemed impossible now seems more than plausible: Donald J. Trump, the self-referential deal maker, could pull off a hostile takeover of the Grand Old Party,” he wrote in an op-ed published Monday for The New York Times.
Axelrod, a former top adviser for President Obama, said that Trump is resonating with Republican voters.
“Relentlessly edgy, confrontational and contemptuous of the niceties of governance and policy making, Mr. Trump is the perfect counterpoint to a president whose preternatural cool and deliberate nature drives his critics mad,” he said.
“The Republican base is infuriated by Mr. Obama’s activist view of government and progressive initiatives, from health care reform and immigration, gay rights to climate change,” Axelrod continued.
“Beyond specific issues, however, many Republicans view dimly the very qualities that played so well for Mr. Obama in 2008,” he added. "Deliberation is seen as hesitancy; patience as weakness.
“His call for tolerance and passionate embrace of America’s growing diversity inflame many in the Republican base, who view with suspicion and anger the rapidly changing demographics of America. The president’s emphasis on diplomacy is viewed as appeasement.”
Axelrod added that Trump may “stumble” should Americans tire of his bombast or fail to actually turn out to vote.
The Democratic strategist admitted that the outspoken billionaire has so far defied all predications about his future, however.
“As the most ardent and conspicuous counterpoint to the man in the White House today, the irrepressible Mr. Trump has already defied all expectations,” Axelrod said. "So, in the parlance of one of his signature businesses, ‘who wants to bet?'"
