There is only one man right now who has more “power, media magnetism, and authenticity” than Donald Trump, and he will be in the United States in a few weeks.
His name is Francis. And he WILL upstage “The Donald.”
The arrival of Pope Francis on September 22, 2015 should make for some interesting media coverage. I want to see how Trump reacts to a man who lives by a moral and religious code that could not be more different than the one he has been preaching on the campaign trail. I would love to see them have a conversation about capitalism, greed, or fidelity in marriage. How would Trump respond if Francis pushed him to reveal his favorite Bible verse?
Timothy Egan’s recent column at The New York Times spells out these differences. Here is a taste:
One man hasn’t watched television in 25 years, gets around in a Ford Focus, and is named for a nature-loving pauper who didn’t believe in owning money, property or shoes. He is considered infallible, but often doubts his daily utterances.
The other man spent 14 years in the mirrored embrace of a television show about him, is transported by a fleet with his name on the side, and looks down on anyone who hasn’t amassed a mountain of property. He thinks he’s infallible.
In a few weeks, Pope Francis will visit our fair land, a fitting pivot from the Summer of Trump, closing out a gluttonous episode of narcissism, rudeness, frivolity and xenophobia. For all that the orangutan-haired vulgarian has done to elevate the worst human traits a public figure can have, Francis is the anti-Trump. He has more power, media magnetism and authenticity in his lone functioning lung than Donald Trump has in his entire empire of ego.
Trump may dismiss the 78-year-old leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. Yeah, so he’s got his little 109-acre Vatican City, with those silly Swiss Guards. It’s the smallest country in the world — one-eighth the size of Central Park! As Joseph Stalin asked: How many divisions does the pope have? And this guy from Argentina with the goofy grin — no golf courses, resorts or even women who, sadly, are no longer a 10. He’s celibate!
Read the rest here.
How supercilious. Hillary Clinton's unqualified support for Planned Parenthood* has far more moral vulnerability in the eyes of the Pope and the Catholic Church than Donald Trump's venality.
“You need to read the NYT so you know what is going on inside the lefty echo chamber, but it is very hard to believe anything on its editorial pages at face value.”
*http://www.lifenews.com/08/03/catholic-bishops-call-on-senate-to-de-fund-planned-parenthood-after-it-sells-aborted-babies//2015
Every time Pope Francis speaks he says something profound while Trump hasn't said anything worthwhile in years. The Pope challenges people. He speaks to them and tells them things they need to hear whether they want to or not. Trump on the other hand is only saying what a certain base wants to hear. When it comes to matters of substance, Trump really has nothing to offer. I fully expect the other GOP candidates to cripple Trump on issues eventually, but then again they want to avoid taking stands on issues when possible as well.
They are great on certain points, but can offer no viable strategies on dealing with the issues. The feeble attempts they do utter are generally worthless and unworkable, but sound good to the base. That is one of their biggest problems and will result in the Democratic candidate's victory in 2016.
Make sure the ole Pope brings along that hammer and sickle crucifix….is the body count of Lenin, Stalin, and Mao engraved on the back of that thing?