Why all the hubbub concerning Donald Trump’s seemingly successful bid to become the Republican Party’s nominee for the next president of the United States? Let me preface the following discussion by conveying I’m neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I simply cast my ballot for whoever I think is the best person for the job. I seek out the candidates whose stances on the issues most resemble mine although I’ve yet to find anyone whose platform I have entirely agreed with (and I probably never will). I am certainly not a single issue voter because I find taking that approach to be very narrow-minded. A candidate’s race, religion, sexual preference, and even their demeanor has no bearing on whom I choose to support so long as we’re like-minded on most of the issues.

The presidential campaigns have been in full swing for several months now, but all of a sudden a Donald Trump presidency has been singled out, by the media and oddly enough by several influential Republican leaders, as being the worse thing that can happen to this country. Some argue that the Grand Old Party’s frontrunner is not “presidential” enough. I don’t even know what that means. We really don’t have to look too far back to discern the contrast of personalities amongst past presidents. Republicans currently denouncing The Donald with scare tactics and threatening to oust him at the upcoming Republican National Convention, if indeed he still leads with the majority of earned delegates, makes no sense to me and is downright shameful. By all means, question Trump on the issues, and dislike his brash personality if so inclined, but don’t turn your backs on the millions of voters in your own party who are unimpressed with the GOP’s status quo.

I’m aware Donald Trump has been loud, arrogant, and at times downright rude during his campaign, but he’s also proven to be straightforward and unwilling to pander to special interest groups. Trump has been accused by some Republicans as being more aligned with the Democrats. As an Independent, moderate, centrist, or whatever one wishes to call me, I immediately take notice when candidates are accused, by their own political party, of not being Republican enough or not being Democrat enough. To me, this implies those being ostracized would most-likely be willing to work with their nemesis across the aisle to get things done if they were elected. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with compromising for the good of the country. Unfortunately, that concept was set aside when the Tea Party entered the political scene in 2009.

Now let’s address the elephant in the room. Donald Trump may or may not have tiny hands, and he may or may not be a racist. It’s all relative. The size of Trump’s hands is a senseless debate, and only God knows what’s truly in a man’s heart. Proposing to temporarily halt Muslims from coming to America, for security reasons, or wanting to stop the influx of illegal immigration does not make one a racial bigot. Then there’s all the hubbub over former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, David Duke, endorsing (not funding) Trump’s campaign. I know if I was running for office I would not discourage anyone from casting their ballot for me. If a former Klansman wants to support me that’s fine; however, that surely doesn’t mean I agree with his views.

Labeling a person as racist has become all too prevalent in today’s society and in many cases is inaccurate. I would think if Donald Trump was really a racist, or a sexist for that matter, there’d be at least one person from his countless business dealings who would’ve come forward by now and said as much. I presume The Donald has cordially dealt with more than just White males during his extensive business career. I seriously doubt his public persona (as seen on our television screens) is even close to how he actually conducts himself during important negotiations behind closed doors. What you see is not always what you get.

Donald Trump is also being blamed for breaking up the Republican Party, but it was already significantly fractured. The GOP lost its identity – you guessed it – when the Tea Party invaded Washington. It may seem as though I’m a Trump supporter, but I’m not (not yet anyway…not until John Kasich formally bows out of the race). I’m not excited about a Trump presidency, but I’m sure it would not be as dire as some would have us believe. There are at least three other candidates currently vying for the Oval Office that I’m more leery of than The Donald. Regardless of who the next president of the United States is I know ultimately God is in control, so I’m not worried about all the hubbub concerning Donald Trump.