The current presidential campaign in the U.S. reminds us that politics is civilized conflict, but conflict none the less.  

In 1518 The Conquistador Hernan Cortes, not a man known to seek votes, departed Cuba with six ships and 600 men. He landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico, refused orders to return to Cuba and burned his ships just prior to marching inland toward a bloody confrontation and victory over an Aztec civilization of several hundred thousand. En route to his battle with the Aztecs, Cortes defeated smaller vassal states, built a coalition, then marched on the Aztecs. This act of risk and defiance changed the course of history. The burning of his ships brought many of his men to tears. The act defined the reality that there would be no turning back. It would be victory or death.

Fast forward to the 2016 presidential campaign and political observers understand that a different type of coalition building is going on. On the right and in the center the electorate is horrified by a president that campaigned on “Hope and Change” but has wrought enmity domestically and chaos on the international stage. Despite a national news media establishment heavily vested in President Barack Obama, the internet, talk radio and other outlets have provided channels of news independent of the President’s media team. Enter billionaire builder, entrepreneur and media sensation Donald Trump into the political arena. Trump, having honed his branding skills in the market place and media skills on a lengthy and successful reality show “The Apprentice,” has demonstrated mastery in terms of communication with the masses. Trump has been a dominant factor in the Republican Presidential primary race.   

A fair person must admit, the Republicans have a strong cadre of seasoned candidates. A number of the candidates have had long distinguished careers in public service. However, none of these candidates have been able to match Donald Trump’s ability to communicate and connect with the masses. I have spoken with a large number of blue-collar Democrats who have told me that they are voting for Trump! Again and again, their explanation, “he says what I am thinking.”  I am 58 years of age, served in the Air Force, the CIA, participated in campaigns, and even ran for the U.S. Senate. I have never seen anything like this. Trump is a non-traditional candidate with an uncanny ability to reach a significant portion of the population on both sides of the political spectrum.    

Conservative pundits and a number of leading Republicans have stated that they would not support Trump if he wins the nomination. I suspect many will start to walk those positions back as Donald Trump racks up Republican delegates in the coming primary contests. I recall four years ago watching the Washington Press Corps’ yearly Gridiron Dinner when comedian Jon Stewart went out of his way, not to jest with Donald Trump but to mock him publicly. Trump had flirted with running for President in 2012, but opted out. President Obama would follow Stewart to the podium and took a few cheap shots of his own. There was plenty of laughter that evening. Trump sat through it all stoically. Who’s laughing now?   

The irony of the Trump presidential for campaign, and the analogy of Cortes and the burning of the boats, is that Trump never gave the order for the proverbial fire. Instead, it was the establishment that started the blaze: newly elected Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and their allies passed an omnibus bill giving President Obama continued license to add to the national debt of 19 trillion dollars, passed a litany of Obama policy favorites such as funding for Planned Parenthood, refugee resettlement, and continued support to sanctuary cities that defy U.S. federal law.

A very large number of Republican primary voters saw that act as one of total surrender and discredited the Republican Party establishment. If anyone had any doubt about the weakness of the Republican establishment, the passage of the Omnibus was all the evidence that was needed. The sickening photos of U.S. sailors on their knees with their hands clasped behind their heads in submission to Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Members should be complemented with a staged photo of Republican legislators genuflecting at the feet of President Obama. It is time for all of us to be angry.   

I endorse Donald Trump for the Presidency as I believe him to be the candidate that will build the winning coalition that will allow those committed to the Constitution and the free market to save our economy and secure our future. Trump will build a credible policy team and do the important things that must be done to put the country back on a sound economic footing. I expect him to follow through on his tax plan, which is outstanding. Trump’s tax plan lowers corporate and personal rates, reduces the number of brackets and will bring dollars back from abroad which will launch growth and expanded opportunities for millions that are in need. I believe that Trump will pull together those of us that have fought terror effectively and provide the needed resources that will allow our National Security apparatus to prevail in our fight against Islamic jihadism. Most importantly, I believe that Donald Trump will keep faith with the country, provide sound leadership and put the interests of America before his own.

Go Trump!       

Gary Berntsen is a retired Senior CIA Operations Officer and Chief of Station.   Mr. Berntsen is the Bestselling Author of the Jawbreaker, The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda where he recounts his leadership role in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan in response to the 11 September 2001 attacks.  Mr. Berntsen is the recipient of CIA’s Distinguished Intelligence Medal and Intelligence Star.  Mr. Berntsen regularly appears as a counterterrorism and national security guest commentator on Fox News, CNN, CNBC and Newsmax.