Election: Trump puts himself in rhetorical bind

We all know what addiction is: an unhealthy, unnatural craving for something, whether heroin, alcohol or marijuana.

In Donald Trump’s case, the evidence has shown he hungers after attention consisting of equal parts public adulation and personal admiration. He can’t seem to do without either one. But at what cost to himself and his campaign?

Consider: If he adopts a less provocative tone, he becomes more of a standard campaigner and all that implies; he risks the edginess that’s brought him this far. His followers may see him less as an outsider and more like the politician they’re all so averse to. He might become a clone of the very thing he’s tried to avoid.

Conversely, if he doesn’t dampen his rhetoric, his poll numbers will continue to fall. He’ll wind up a loser, which we all know is anathema to him at the molecular level. In others words, he’ll have become just another “choke artist.”

Thus, his predicament. Does he shut up and try to behave himself? Or does he conform? Does he veer away from ill-conceived but entertaining insults? Or does he keep it civil and thereby increase his chances of winning?

Who knows, but anyone for bets?

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Election: Trump puts himself in rhetorical bind."