Letters: Don’t underestimate Donald Trump

After days of upheaval at the Republican convention, Gov. Mike Pence introduced himself to America. He was calm and funny, a completely likeable guy. The first one all week.

And the crowd loved it. Suddenly the Republican Party was united.

How did this happen? I’ll tell you how: through an absolutely dramatic script. This is not politics; it’s reality TV, and a master is at work. Manipulating crowds and feelings, saying what many want to hear, regardless of whether it will ever happen or is based on fact. Lowering expectations and then, like music, taking voters to a crescendo.

Donald Trump is taking them on a roller coaster ride, and they have just come over the top, headed downhill, just a-hootin’ and a-hollerin’.

Will I vote for him? Not a chance. Did my opinion of him change from buffoon to master of programming? Absolutely.

What we have here is not unlike the Wizard of Oz. Instead of a huge genie, we have this man with a fake tan and orange hair — but still a master of media and salesmanship. P.T. Barnum said “there is no such thing as luck.” There is no luck involved in Trump’s rise to the nomination: There is a master at work. Never underestimate Donald Trump.