There was a time a few years back when it was common to see TV commercials featuring a crazy spokesperson proclaiming that the prices were insanely low because he was actually insane. Donald Trump creates a feeling of deja vu for those commercials, except that he doesn't claim insanity.
Those are the thoughts that spring to mind from the revelation that Trump has merely been projecting an image so far. And the image is going to change. Excerpt:
Donald Trump's chief lieutenants told skeptical Republican leaders Thursday that the GOP front-runner has been "projecting an image" so far in the 2016 primary season and "the part that he's been playing is now evolving" in a way that will improve his standing among general election voters.
The message, delivered behind closed doors in a private briefing, is part of the campaign's intensifying effort to convince party leaders Trump will moderate his tone in the coming months to help deliver big electoral gains this fall, despite his contentious ways. ...
He gets it," Manafort said of Trump's need to moderate his personality. "The part that he's been playing is evolving into the part that now you've been expecting, but he wasn't ready for, because he had first to complete the first phase. The negatives will come down. The image is going to change."
The message was welcomed by some party officials but criticized by others who suggested it raised doubts about his authenticity.
He's not insane, that's for sure. He just wants you to hear what you want to hear. Oh, and make America great again.
Editor's note: Whoa, whoa! Does that mean the wall just got shorter? Or that Mexico won't pay for it? Say it ain't so. Robo-ed.
Update. Too soon. Trump says he's not toning it down. Translation: He doesn't yet have the nomination locked up, so it's too soon to wear the other face.
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