printChris Matthews of Hardball offered a most unusual commentary, unusual because insight and depth are rare these days at MSNBC (the network that fired Pat Buchanan):
Trump stands out there with something the other candidates lack, a compelling message. Trump speaks, like it or not, as an American. He goes after Putin [sic], the Chinese, the Pope and the presidents of Mexico. He even says he’ll be even-handed with Israel and its neighbors.
Trump speaks as a nationalist, that’s how he talks. He speaks not of how he’ll handle the job of president—how he’ll operate the government of Washington, what bills he will sign or veto, but, rather, how he will lead America in the world.
Trump’s rivals for the presidency speak of government; he speaks of country, this country, and that makes all the difference. Someone like Rubio cannot contest Trump on this level. It’s too late for him to try or even imagine fully what Trump is doing. Rubio cannot at this late stage muster a winning strategy.
Trump has one. It’s in his slogan. Make America great again.
WATCH Matthews & This extraordinary situation in the GOP.
UPDATE I (2/27):
#Trump's 1st-day-in-office promise (https://t.co/1ZYlH6uYcW) follows my nullification prescription: https://t.co/FfdIbDnlgp We can only hope
— Ilana Mercer (@IlanaMercer) February 27, 2016
UPDATE II:
Power couple #ChrisChristie & #RealDonaldTrump in Bentonville, AR, finish off ninny neocon #MarcoRubio: https://t.co/F8YpnHCWCH
— Ilana Mercer (@IlanaMercer) February 27, 2016
Where's the security in this Bentonville, AR, hanger? It had better be there and everywhere else. https://t.co/F8YpnHCWCH #RealDonaldTrump
— Ilana Mercer (@IlanaMercer) February 27, 2016