A long time ago, some pundit (I forget who) suggested that Ronald Reagan would be elected President because he's a real actor, and, as such, at an incredible advantage over the mere lawyer-actors that populate the Presidential candidacy pool. This was in the 1970s, and it proved to be correct. Reagan was the perfect candidate; he took direction, he knew what to say and how to handle people, and he projected likablilty. People liked Reagan. I liked him, and I didn't vote for him either time he was nominated (although I abstained from voting for President totally in 1980, voting straight Democratic for everyone else).
Trump's not likeable in the sense Reagan was, but he does know how to take direction and he projects decisiveness. Even if he's been all over the map on some issues, being decisive doesn't mean you never change. It means that you commit early enough to where, if your decision appears to be wrong, you have time to change course, as opposed to being stuck with a lemon by picking at the last minute. People like this, and will forgive a degree of inconsistency in exchange for decisiveness.
But it does come down to dimmidmi said about Trump being a known commodity. People know ghe's brassy and crass and thy know he's slept around. They know he's one to say "You're fired!". Oddly enough, saying "You're fired!" is a quality that seems to be lacking in Presidents, even ones that wre considered great leaders. Reagan, the great leader, couldn't fire anyone, and he paid derly for that. Indeed, Nixon was the last President I can think of who was really willing to fire a disloyal subordinate; every President since seems to pussyfoot around that. Trump would bring "You're fired!" back to the Oval Office, and the's a case to be made that this is needed.
Are we really comparing Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump? President Reagan had a belief that our country could be strong again if we pursued policies that minimized regulation and allowed markets to work. He believed that the United States should have the strongest military possible because that was the best way to ensure we were kept safe. Donald Trump has been the product of anything BUT free markets, he has declared disdain for the free market. Additionally, Ronald Reagan and people in his administration learned from history. They had a distinct economic philosophy. They pursued policies to create growth. Donald Trump has not demonstrated a knowledge of public policy. He has demonstrated an ignorance of public policy. President Reagan was a conservative. Donald Trump is a socialist. There is a huge difference.
There is also a difference in style. President Reagan knew how to contrast himself with his opponents, but he did so in a way that was issue based and respectful. Donald Trump has resorted to negative personal attacks. Reagan had a love for America, while Trump has a love for himself. Reagan made people hopeful again, and Jeb Bush is the only candidate seeking to do that in this campaign. Donald Trump is exploiting people's fears.
I have said on here multiple times the issue with Trump is he doesn't know the issues and therefore, we aren't talking about the issues. I've said multiple times he's not a smart man, and he's not a true capitalist.
One thing I have not said before is that Trump is bad for society. Some in what is known as the "religious right" like to talk about how same-sex marriage is causing problems in our society. I believe that can't be further from the truth. What is causing problems in our culture today is a lack of basic decency. Reality TV, which exploits people who don't know any better, has played a role in this lack of basic decency. The Apprentice essentially exploits people. Since when was it "entertainment" to watch someone being let go on national television? Donald Trump is an amoral and evil individual. Not just because of the Apprentice, but because he only cares about himself and his reckless behavior in his personal and public life are appalling. This man has no decency.
To answer the question here, few candidates have touched on Trump's socialism. Rick Perry is the only one to do so to date. None have touched on his lack of morals, and that he is the enemy in this culture war. Most of these candidates view Trump as a side show. He's leading in polls, but they know that will end.
