There's a problem with Trump's strategy of skipping the debates and focusing on town halls: Trump isn't great at answering questions.
Take maybe the softest of all the softballs floated to the former president at the recent Sean Hannity event in Iowa. A woman in the crowd stood and asked Trump,
My question is how has your faith grown since you decided in 2015 to run for president? And who has mentored you in your faith journey?
This question isn't about foreign policy, domestic policy, economic policy, or social policy. It's a personal question. A fundamental question about Trump himself. They don't come much easier.
As you watch the video, take a moment and look at the woman asking the question. Remember that the testimony of multiple high-profile Christian figures in the previous two presidential cycles was that Trump was a "baby Christian," and that he was growing in his faith.
Anyone who has actually been a baby Christian at some point knows the excitement and thrill associated with the early days of your walk with Jesus. You can't get enough. You know just enough to be dangerous, but it's an exhilarating process of trying to grow in the faith slowly and steadily.
I don't know the lady who asked the question, but her face tells me that she bought the "baby Christian" description and was therefore very excited to hear where Trump was on his walk with Jesus.
Transcript:
Such a great question. You know I've seen so much heartache and turmoil. I was a developer, and I did other things, and you know I, I had a wonderful, I had a wonderful life before all this stuff. I didn't know what a grand jury was, I didn't know what a subpoena, what is a subpoena? I had a wonderful life. I'm so glad, they were asking me the other day, a little bit different question, ‘Are you glad you did it? You had a great life, are you glad you did it?' I couldn't be more glad, I'm so happy I did it. Because, I've made America great, we can do it again. (Applause) Right now, we do not, we are not a great country. But I've gotten to know, because of this, evangelicals.
I mean, I know so many people. And they feel so good about themselves and their family, and they base it on religion. I had never had that kind of an experience where I got to know so many, and Franklin Graim (sic), and Paula White, I mean I know so many people that are so incredible. Religious people.
And not just Christians, not just evangelicals. Uh, you know, when I look at the Catholic faith, you take a look at what the FBI, no but look at what the FBI is doing to Catholics, they made them like the enemy. They made them, it's horrible. How could a Catholic ever vote for a Democrat or a guy like Biden again after the experience they are going through. But I have met some of the finest people that I wouldn't have had the privilege of meeting if I weren't president. And they're religious leaders and they really are incredible people.
Franklin Graim? You can see the disappointment on her face. And honestly, you should be able to feel the disappointment in the hearts of Christians across the country. Simply put, no one who has encountered the real Jesus would miss an opportunity like this.
And while that is the far more significant issue to me - I want Trump to know Jesus far more than I care anything about him being president again - there's a political observation here that seems to be glaring. This is precisely why a strategy of debate-stage avoidance is a killer for Trump.
Trump's strategy seems to be to carry himself as though the nomination is already buttoned up, allowing his primary opposition to beat one another up in debates and forums while he stays above the fray.
Take this however you will, but it's true: Debates are notoriously shallow, town halls allow for more depth. Trump should stick with the former.
