Is Trump Sui Generis?**
[Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway, or any other entity referenced.]
Since trashing Donald Trump is — as the Wall Street boys might put it — a (very) “crowded trade” at the moment, let me play the 
contrarian and posit three good things about his sustained ascendance and — apparently — his very real shot at the Republican nomination.
One. Trump opens up the political system, big-time.
Whether or not that’s a good thing depends on your metaphor of choice.
If you like the status quo — that is, “big buck” donors and two-party control over the electoral process ad nauseam . . . you’re undoubtedly horrified.
Barbarians at the gate, indeed (or “opening a Pandora’s Box,” if you prefer).
However, if you instead see modern, national-level politics as a gated fortress with the rabble on the inside (count of hands, please), step #1 is to breach the defenses.
Trump does that.
Two. He shines an (un)welcome spotlight on the rest of the 2016 Republican field.
It’s hard to imagine Trump making inroads against a Ronald Reagan, Dwight Eisenhower, or other Republican luminary of the last 75 years or so.
Indeed, if someone of that stature were on the scene, there wouldn’t be a Donald Trump.
Part of the job description for President of the United States is being really, really good at politics.
If none of Trump’s rivals can best him politically, what does that say about their skills, rhetorical and otherwise (including leadership ability)?
And I’m not just talking about the Republicans anymore.
Three. Engaged citizenry.
Woody Allen famously observed that “90% of life is about showing up.”
The political equivalent is: “90% of civic discourse is about engagement.”
Until a majority of the electorate is reasonably informed, bothers to vote, etc., real change is unlikely to happen.
As far as paying attention goes, the record ratings for the four Republican debates so far — clearly due to Trump’s presence in the race — ain’t a bad start.
P.S.: So, do I think Trump’s candidacy is a net plus for the country?
Put it this way: my druthers would have been that some combination of Ranked Choice Voting, also known as Instant Run-off Voting; campaign finance reform; and/or term limits would’ve pried open the system by now.
But, hey! You take what you can get . . .
See also, “When Being Close Counts: Horseshoes . . . Hand Grenades . . . Ranked Choice Voting (?!?)“; “Matthew McConaughey for President?!? (Guess Who’s Using Ranked Choice Voting)”; “Why I’m Rooting for Donald Trump (and Bernie Sanders, Too!)“; and “Capitalists and (Political) Campaigns.”
**One-of-a-kind. As opposed to, emblematic of a new-style candidate: self-funded (from their business interests, increasingly high tech); from outside politics (or at least traditional politics); and media (especially social media) savvy.
