The Secret to Trump's Success

Let us return to the scenario I outlined in an earlier post

Moderator: Senator Cruz, what is your position with regard to a proposed return to the gold standard?

Senator Cruz: A fiat currency such as that we currently have enables a government to print money at will, running up huge debt and paying it off by devaluing the dollar.

Moderator: Mr. Trump, how do you feel regarding a gold standard?

Trump: Senator Cruz is a liar.

Note that Trump never answers the question. What is Trump's view on the gold standard? If there are 12 other candidates on the stage,  all he needs to do is stall for 30 seconds.

Let's be honest--debates on policy are often boring. But when Trump insults someone else on the stage, it has an element of "I'm calling you out, Undertaker!" that even the slowest, most ignorant viewer can enjoy. So yes, ratings go through the roof, just as they did for The Great Mephisto when he fought Rocky Johnson.

So the next day, what do the newspapers and news channels lead with? "Cruz Argues for Stable Currency" or "Trump Calls Cruz a Liar"? When Cruz steps before the cameras the next day to outline his monetary policy, what is the first question he gets? So Trump comes to dominate the news cycle with an idea-free campaign.