The Direct Democracy President

While Adams pro-Trump propaganda is more fresh and amusing than Dilbert has been for many years, there's really nothing to see here. While Trump has refined his messaging on several positions that have been lightning rods for criticism even within his own party, the only thing unusual about any of that is that he's put off doing much of that until well into the general election campaign, and that even during the general election campaign how much criticism he is still generating on major positions even within his own party.

Both of those are indications not of a "Direct Democracy" politician that is unusually amenable to public pressure and likely to adapt to the public will, but of a candidate, instead, that is just the opposite -- unusually slow and reluctant to respond to (or even acknowledge) widespread opposition to key positions.

And some of Adams claims are just bizarre. While Trump, yes, did start using a teleprompter, the idea that he "is crafting a friendlier version of himself" is, well, less than supported by the facts. I mean, its true that his new campaign manager is just flat-out denying the some of the behavior (e.g., the repeated hurling of personal insults) which are part of his "unfriendly" image, but denying the facts that form the basis of a public perception isn't the same as changing the facts on which that perception is formed.

Trump is being forced to U-turn on his beliefs because he wants to win, given four years in office he's not required to U-turn on anything, he's already in office. Disguising incompetence as some new form of democracy is dangerous, prospective leaders should be competent and moral without a crowd forcing their hand.

Seems much ado about nothing. This certainly isn't direct democracy, and certainly isn't anything new. Presidential candidates have always "pivoted" - i.e., changed or moderated their policies to appeal to a larger voting bloc. Adams is looking at this situation through rose-tinted, pro-Trump glasses. When Hillary pivots (e.g., now opposes TPP) it's cynical persuasion and politics as usual. When Trump pivots it's a revolutionary, modern, web-enabled implementation of direct democracy. Give me a break.

Will Trump wait to give a statement and see how the public responds, before taking action on the proverbial "3am phone call"?

I think not. I might not like Hillary, but it's an absolute joke that Adams thinks that Trump is the embodiment of some pure form of democracy. He's changed the game in American presidential politics (he's basically gotten rid of the idea of a "gaffe" at this point), but his goal is selfish; he wants to be president for his own benefit, and he'll say anything to get it.

Nonetheless, a direct poll is less biasable than say, the popularity of memes I see you within my filter bubble. I do think he has an interesting perspective regarding how social media is bringing politicians' ears closer to the people, but it can't replace elections and scientific polls. It can augment it however.

Not that I think he is really making that argument that memes should replace voting.