The Trump effect

Sir, – Since Donald Trump standing as the Republican presidential candidate provides the only possible scenario in which Hillary Clinton, the darling of the Irish and the left/liberal media, could be elected, why is there so much concern about his progress towards obtaining the nomination? – Yours, etc,

DAVID WHITEHEAD,

Kinvara,

Co Galway.

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Sir, – Your editorial ("Believing the impossible", March 19th) suggests that, after last Tuesday, Hillary Clinton will be gratified "to see Trump step closer to the nomination and a colossal Republican own goal".

It also suggests that Mrs Clinton remains “a clear favourite for the White House”. Maybe.

However, and notwithstanding the fact that I really don’t know, isn’t it possible that if Americans could elect George W Bush president twice, they could elect Donald Trump president once?

It seems to me that Donald Trump is more charismatic that Hillary Clinton, for mostly negative reasons. Charisma counts. If Republicans come out in high numbers in November, a lot of Republicans who hate Mr Trump will vote for him because they hate him less than Mrs Clinton or the Democrats. I would argue that it is possible that Mr Trump will become the next president of the US, largely because a significant portion of Republicans who hate Mr Trump will choose him as the best of what they see as two really bad options. – Yours, etc,

DR JAMES FINNEGAN,

Letterkenny,

Co Donegal.