AZ We See It

Much (and then more) has been written about Donald Trump’s run for the presidency, including 22 conservative minds in this month’s National Review – all explaining why a Trump presidency would sound the death knell to conservationism.

But it seems voters are sounding their own message to the GOP. Are they listening?

Robb: Even if Donald Trump wins, GOP will survive

The nation will see how serious voters are about that message in Iowa on Monday.

Ahead of it we asked Arizona residents to share their reasons for supporting the outspoken billionaire. Because once all the pundits have had their say, voters will.

Done with the status quo

The Washington kingmakers of conservative persuasion, including politicians, lobbyists and elitist media, have tried for the past six months in countless ways to destroy the outsiders, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, to no avail.

Their preference is of the status quo insiders of big government spending, cronyism and federal (central planning) control. They use words not to convey facts or even allegations of facts, but simply to arouse emotions. They claim that Trump’s views are delusional. If so, what are Bernie Sanders “free everything” socialist views?

In recent polls, we (I) of the uneducated class (as defined by them) who see the kingmakers for how they exploit us, are choosing an unbridled meritocratic candidate such as Donald Trump. He cannot be bought. He wants smaller government. He wants fiscal responsibility. He wants limited immigration. He is pro-life. He is an exceptional businessman who can reverse our country's deficits, and he is detested by the kingmakers.

We are low-information voters to these Washington overlords, but in actuality, we are sufficiently informed to see through the smokescreen they are cocooning in their own supercilious incompetence. We are not contrarians; rather, we are concerned, patriotic citizens who believe that with a strong conservative leader, our country’s best time is still to come.

Fred Malawski is a Scottsdale resident who retired 11 years ago from constructing industrial and commercial buildings in the Chicago area for 45 years.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio endorses Donald Trump for president

Show us a track record

NOT WANTED: Insider political experience or establishment ideas that are failed policies. Senators, governors, representatives, whether Republican or Democrats, have utterly failed Americans. You are the problem. You don't own the primary process; it's about we the people. I will wear neither political name, I am an independent. With my last votes, I have brought the current political misery in the country. My apologies.

WANTED: Political outsider, family man or woman with considerable actual accomplishments in people management, proven financial responsibility and experience, actual workplace experience and experience in actual successful negotiations with impossible figures from Wall Street, the federal government, timid heads of state, religious fanatics of any persuasion, dictators, pretenders, human rights violators, neighbors who don't play by the rules and others that we Americans have to get along with.

Wait, there is one person running for the office who is politically unbiased, who is his own man, who is not taking bribes, hush money or contributions, but who is running out of his own pocket. And lo and behold, he has an actual track record of human accomplishment. Donald Trump, he’s my man, if he can’t do it, no one can.

David Dwinell is an independent voter who owns and operates a logistics training company and lives in Sun City.

Allhands: Your Donald Trump dream team

Real change, not political correctness

You have to always ask yourself if you’re better off than you were four years ago. I ask myself if I am better off than I was 16 years ago and the answer is no. The last two presidents have made things worse when it comes to national security. The current president ignores it, the previous one made things worse.

We need a leader who can protect us on the border and overseas in a way that will not open us up to more attacks. And a leader who doesn't side step it due to political correctness.

Trump has decades of experience as a businessman working with all kinds of religious, ethnic and political backgrounds. I will vote for Trump because he supports real change and a successful businessman like him has the record to prove it.

I am an Arab-American and he does not offend me — I would invite him to my upcoming wedding. I feel safe when Donald tackles issues everyone else is afraid to talk about. When you put your country first, ahead of political correctness, you truly want to make America great.

Omar Davidson is a Gilbert resident with a bachelor’s degree in political science and master's degree in criminal justice. He works in his family's business.

Montini: Arpaio with Trump in Iowa. My dream lives!

Done with old boy's club

Many supporters of Donald Trump think his decision to pass on Thursday’s debate might have untold consequences. Perhaps appearing as though he doesn’t have the courage to face a certain moderator.

But then again, why should he allow himself to be subjected to questions that don’t pertain to his goals and vision for this country?

Rather than be confronted with another “gotcha” question, he decided to just skip the drama and focus on doing something charitable for our veterans.

The Republicans in Washington have no desire to support Donald Trump in the race for the presidency, fearful that he might break up the old boy’s club. Forgetting that the reason for his popularity is that many of us are simply tired of those we elect. They promise one thing and once in office aren’t any different from those they replaced.

Donald Trump refuses to take any guff from the media, says things that many of us think, but hesitate to say because of political correctness — and he offers hope to those of us who have fears about the direction our great country is going.

Barbara Woltz is a Surprise resident and a political junkie, who first worked tirelessly for Barry Goldwater and then Ronald Reagan. She is concerned about the country's direction and the national debt.

Trump: I could shoot a person and not lose votes

Trump is a can-do American

At the first GOP debate, candidates (except Trump) pledged to vote for their eventual nominee. Later Trump “took the pledge” so yes, if he’s the nominee I’ll vote for him (and if they want to win, every conservative should make that pledge!)

Why Trump?

I read his book “Time to Get Tough” and agree with much of it. He’s a visionary who’s created and scaled large projects. Of his thousands of employees past and present, not one has disparaged him.

He’s a businessman, a salesman, a can-do American who gets things done through people. I believe he’d use the bully pulpit to get results through Congress.

I believe Trump supporters will show up and vote. Most importantly, unlike McCain/Romney, he will drive turnout.

I read the 22 negative comments about him in the National Review and think all 22 could end up embarrassed. However, Trump is outrageous. I hoped he’d tone it down. It hasn’t hurt him so far or lessened the support of a silent majority “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore”.

Now, given this latest debate controversy, we’ll find out if his appeal is durable.

Jim Peterson is a Gold Canyon resident and calls himself a registered Republican who thinks like an independent. He graduated from University of Minnesota and retired after 37 years with Deere & Company, where he held a dozen posts in three countries.

5 moments from Trump's visit to Phoenix in 2015