@blatham,
I believe I am viewing the present electoral contest far more realistically than are you.
I'll readiy concede that Trump is a bit of a bombast and hip-shooter, who flouts the conventional standards of (ahem !) serious political candidates , like, for example Hillary Clinton. There are indeed, as you say a number of Republican Papers, magazines (NRL is your example) and politicians who either oppose or are rather silent about him. No argument from me on any of those accounts.
However there is indeed widespread, and perhaps growing, popular support out there for his candidacy. His victory in the coming election is, at least, a significant possibility, and some might argue, likelihood. (indeed I detect a growing unease among the left wing pontificators here.) What is the cause of that? It isn't just Fox news ? Not likely : they have their counterparts on the opposite side of the poitical spectrum who just as relentlessly propagandzize with the same skill and energy.
My opinion is that we are encountering growing public opposition to and disguist with the evident political corruption of the current administration and the personal and political corruption of the current Democrat Candidate, coupled with disenchantment with the track record of public programs that accomplish little of what they promise, while delivering - at great cost - numerous adverse side effects, all while failing to address growing issues involving slow economic growth, steadily rising debt and increasing external security concerns.
Noting Trumps many imperfections does little to address those growing concerns, while the odor of corruption and political fixes surrounding Clinton undermines the effect of the vacuous promises she makes.
It is interesting to me, in terms of our different outlooks and backgrounds, that you are the one who appear to be more inclined to accept arguments based on the supposed authority of the authors. Ironic, isn't it?
