johnhain / Pixabay
There’s no shortage of parodies and criticisms aimed at Republican anti-hero and media sensation, Donald Trump. The front-runner who just won five states in last night’s primaries certainly offers ample mocking material. When Huffington Post took a humorous look at what past presidential candidates’ tweets might look like had they behaved like Trump, it made the preposterousness of his campaign all the more apparent. Imagine Stephen A Douglas taking to social media to write “President @HonestAbe Lincoln sure loves those tall hats. I wonder for what he is compensating?”. Such childish attacks, devoid of any political relevance, were once unthinkable for high-profile presidential candidates – and yet, here we are in 2016 where the Republican front runner ridicules fellow candidates for wearing glasses, or not satisfying their husband.
Surely, there has never been a presidential candidate as painfully stupid as Trump?
Let’s consider some possible contestants to the title.
Vermin Supreme might have previously been amongst the first to come to mind when considering unconventional candidates. Before Trump, Supreme’s boot hat and promise of ‘free ponies for everyone’ made him the most ridiculous and inappropriate candidate of all. The vital difference is that Vermin Supreme is a performance artist, and his political involvement can be described as an act of satire – a protest against contemporary US politics. The same can unfortunately not be said of Trump, though no one will blame you for still hoping his entire campaign will soon be revealed as one elaborate joke.
Almost as bizarre as Vermin Supreme is Mike Gravel, a former Democratic senator who released a presidential campaign ad in 2007 which saw him stare into the camera for a whole minute, then pick up a rock and throw it into a lake. Apparently it was a metaphor. Questionable art performances aside, it’s also worth mentioning Harold Stassen; a man who ran for president a total of twelve times between 1944 and 2000, demonstrating an unfaltering commitment that is almost inspiring – but mostly comical.
In the group of past candidates who have actually taken themselves and their campaign seriously (much to many people’s embarrassment) there’s George Wallace, who just like Trump, was Democrat before going Republican, appealed to the racist vote and played upon people’s fears for support. Then there’s David Duke who, according to The Washington Post, is the only candidate whose unpopularity matches that of Trump’s in the history of presidential candidates. Considering Duke was the former head of the Ku Klux Klan, this is to be expected. Past candidate Ross Perot can also be said to share likeness with Trump due to their similar backgrounds – Perot was a businessman and media mogul, strongly anti-NAFTA and unpopular with both the Republican and Democrat party. Like Trump, he ran a ridiculous campaign, where his self-interest was obvious to all except those blinded by the allure of a blunt and hard-hitting approach.
In fact, there have been several past candidates with similar backgrounds and voter appeal as Trump, but one thing that many overlook is how his closely his policies (or lack thereof) mirror that of Cruz – a contemporary. Every time you feel exasperated with the stupidity of Trump’s manifesto, keep in mind that Cruz, albeit quieter than Trump, shares so many of these opinions too. Like Trump, Cruz also supports criminalizing abortion, expanding the military, negating Obamacare and legalizing online gambling in the US. With the exception of several economic principles, the candidates are two conservative peas in a pod.
As for whether there has ever truly been a noteworthy candidate with an IQ level as low as Trump’s – the question is difficult to answer, but almost certainly ‘no’. Sarah Palin might have rivalled the throne except she was only ever a running-mate. Similarly, Dan Quayle, who ran as George Bush Senior’s Vice President, is remembered by many as one of the most cringe-inducing candidates of all time. But then, who can forget Junior Bush and his ‘Bushisms’, with gems like “rarely is the question asked: is our children learning?” or “they misunderestimated me”. But do these blunders stand up against Trump’s complete political ignorance, general disregard of consequences and third-grade articulation skills?
Trump, who basks in idiocy and muddles through debates like an impetuous playground bully, might well have some serious competition for title of most ludicrous ever presidential candidate. The key difference which makes Trump so unique, is how he is the only candidate on this list of clown school-rejects who has actually garnered public support and media attention through sheer sensationalism. Whilst past contenders may have been despised for their policies and poor political performance, Trump is known for starring in reality shows, tweeting about Twilight and pouring wine down a female reporter’s dress. Whilst Cruz shares equally racist views, he expresses them in the traditionally diplomatic way that is expected of serious candidates. Trump, on the other hand, crosses the line with outrageously crass remarks about Mexicans and Chinese. Nothing Trump has ever done, or will ever do, can seem to have an impact upon the stubborn and far-spanning support he weaves across the US. The difference is that we can laugh at past candidates, whilst the monster gaining momentum right before our eyes is not really a laughing matter anymore. In other words, whilst Trump may or may not be the dumbest presidential candidate of all time, he is almost definitely the most dangerous.
Leave Your Comments