When billionaire business mogul Donald Trump announced last June he was running for President of the United States, his decision was met with derision from both major political parties.
Politicians, pundits, and other so-called “experts” weighed in with their caustic commentary, calling Trump everything from a jerk to a joke. Less than a year later, the joke seems to be on his detractors.
At its peak, the field of GOP presidential hopefuls stood at 17. One by one and two by two, 16 of them bit the dust. Now Trump is the sole survivor from a crowded cohort of contenders for the GOP presidential nomination. After his impressive win in Indiana, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich dropped out of the race.
The departure of Cruz and Kasich gives Trump bragging rights, and rightfully so, as the “presumptive” GOP nominee in 2016. By my count, he has at least 1,064 delegates in the bag. With only nine states remaining in play, he has a clear path to the nomination by June 7, well before the Republican National Convention meets in July.
So the question has changed from “if” to “when” Trump will win his party’s nomination for president. So, it’s time for him to focus on how to win the White House in November. He’s already said some nice things about his former foes on the campaign trail. And he’s offered the olive branch to other high-level GOP officials. That’s not a bad start for the combative candidate.   
Here, on a helpful note, are my “Tips to Trump” on ways to further unify the fractured GOP before the general elections, and to reassure our nation that he is, or can be, a credible candidate for president.
First, pick an outstanding person for his VP running mate. It should be someone who will “balance the ticket” in terms of electability and compensating strengths that offset Trump’s weaknesses in political acumen. In my view, Sen. Marco Rubio would be a good choice -- if he would accept it.
Second, pick a top-notch team of politically savvy people who know the nuances of electoral politics, and can craft a winning strategy for getting to the next “magic number” of 270 Electoral College votes required to become President of the United States.
Third, pick a solid slate of cabinet nominees for Secretary of State, Defense, Treasury, Attorney General, Veterans Affairs, and so on, who can get Senate confirmation and get to work on resolving the vexing problems facing our nation.
Fourth, communicate a positive, inclusive message that appeals to the majority of Americans who also want to make our nation “great again.”
Finally, remember the power of the presidency resides largely in the personality of the holder of the highest office in the land. Our best presidents from both parties have understood this fact, and have used their persuasive skills to get to the White House and to govern there effectively.
Retired Army Col. Thomas B. Vaughn can be reached at tbvbwmi@blomand.net.