Introduction
Gary Coronado/Palm Beach Post, via Associated Press A supporter of Donald Trump at the South Florida Tea Party's third annual tax day rally in Boca Raton, Fla., on April 16. Donald Trump appears quite serious about forming a presidential campaign, and he's moved to the top of some early polls for Republican candidates.
Some people suspect that his possible presidential run is a publicity stunt for his reality show and books, and aren't taking his candidacy seriously. Still, he has media smarts, wealth, a strong personality and confidence in his own leadership skills. David Brooks wrote in his column, "Donald Trump is the living, walking personification of the Gospel of Success."
Are American voters willing to take seriously someone who has these qualities but no background in policy or knowledge of governing? Could a potential candidate like Donald Trump close the deal with voters?
Debaters
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This Isn't Reality TV
Jeff Shesol, author, "Supreme Power"
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Too Much Swagger and Glitz
John McWhorter, author, "Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue"
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Aggressive Certainty for Fretful Times?
Bob Moser, editor, The Texas Observer
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Our Second Gilded Age
Jill Lepore, Harvard historian
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We Know Him Too Well
Alan Schroeder, journalism professor
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Trouble for Electable Candidates
Joseph Foy, political scientist
The Psychology of the 'Birther' Myth
Saving Species as the Climate Changes
Is Anyone Listening to S.&P.;?
Why Look Down on a Business Degree?
China's Scary Housing Bubble