Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump appeared to have used a teleprompter during his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington D.C. on Monday, pointing to his ability to be more cautious with his words, writes Joe Klein in
Time magazine.
Trump, who usually speaks off the cuff, has been
critical of teleprompters, saying back in August, "If you're running for president, you shouldn't be allowed to use a teleprompter."
But his decision to use a teleprompter illustrates how he's tailoring his message, writes Klein and "this is progress. It shows that Trump understands that, on occasion, care must be exercised in his choice of words."
"Each of his dog whistles has been pitch perfect, and I suspect carefully selected," said Klein.
However, Klein noted, "After the nomination is anyone's guess. We must prepare ourselves for the subtler dangers of a conventional Donald Trump."
Trump spent most of his AIPAC speech discussing his support for Israel and warning against Iran. He also appealed to his supporters who support America-first Nativism by saying the United Nations "is not a friend to democracy. It's not a friend to freedom."
On MSNBC's "Hardball" with Chris Matthews, Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman of California called Trump a "tremendous stadium performer," noting that Trump's mistakes include referring to Palestine as a country.
AIPAC President, Lillian Pinkus, apologized for comments about President Obama in Trump's speech, reports
The Washington Post, saying, "From the moment this conference began, until this moment, we have preached a message of unity. But last evening something occurred which has the potential to drive us apart."
She added that the conference is "disappointed" that "so many applauded" Trump's comments, and asked that during "this divisive and tension-filled political season that we will not allow those that wish to divide our movement . . . to succeed."
Trump's stances on Medicare and Social Security illustrate a break from traditional Republican austerity principles, which further appeals to his supporters, Klein writes.
He reported that a South Carolina businessman told him Trump's stance on the Iraq war felt "liberating" and "we knew the war was wrong, but we were loyal Republicans and couldn't say it."
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