Trump Becomes Presidential

As Donald Trump’s presidential prospects improve, so too does his presidential behavior.

Trump appeared arguably more presidential Tuesday night than he has since the primaries began, treating his opponents more graciously and substituting thoughtful moderation for his trademark bombastic polemics.

“I want to congratulate Ted Cruz on the winning of Texas,” he said, praising the senator’s hard work there and in other states.

Although he once again went after Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s attacks were not quite as personal this time, and were directed more at the Establishment powers supporting Rubio.

“I know that a lot of groups … want to have their little senator do exactly as they want. They’re gonna put $20 or $25 million into it over the next two weeks, from what just came over the wires. And frankly, I think that’s fine … If he wins they’ll have total control (over Rubio),” Trump warned.

Gone, though, was the arrogant insult factory, and in its place was a far more measured, moderate — even humble — man. Trump said the evening was “exciting” and that he was “so honored by this evening.”

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“It’s just an amazing honor to be with you tonight,” he reiterated, for the second but not the last time that night. He made his remarks at Mar-A-Lago, his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey stood behind him.

While Trump was still light on any policy specifics, he at least offered hints into what they might be. “We’re gonna lower taxes exponentially for the middle class,” Trump promised, and launched one of his most stinging attacks yet against corporate inversion.

“They have trillions of dollars outside of this country. Everybody agrees it should be brought back in, [but] the president can’t make a deal,” Trump railed.

Trump has clearly set his sights on Hillary Clinton rather than his fellow candidates. “I am a unifier. Once we get all of this finished I’m going to go after one person and that’s Hillary Clinton,” said Trump.

Deal-making and the general election were big themes of Tuesday night’s speech, as Trump is clearly beginning to define himself as a moderate who can work with Democrats and Republicans for the betterment of the country.

“You can’t go around just signing” executive orders, Trump said, referring to Obama. “Does he ever speak to the Senate? Does he ever speak with congressmen and get them into a room and get things done?”

Despite all of the media fear-mongering over a divisive Trump, his message Tuesday night was one of unity. “We’ve actually expanded the party,” said Trump. “We are going to be a much finer party, we’re going to be a unified party, we’re going to be a much bigger party,” he said.

When asked if his evident support of Planned Parenthood was a general election ploy, flashes of what a President Trump might be like emerged. “I’m just doing what’s right,” Trump shot back. “Planned Parenthood has done very good work for millions of women … I’m a conservative but I’m a common sense conservative,” he said.