Donald Trump More Authentic Than Clinton, Says Atlanta Leadership Expert

Atlanta, GA — As the Republican National Convention gets underway on Monday in Cleveland, an Atlanta workplace and leadership expert says Donald Trump is coming across as more authentic than Hillary Clinton.

“Authenticity is the buzzword among millennials today,” said Brandon Smith, who also serves on the faculty at Emory’s Goizueta Business School. “It’s the idea of realness that truly resonates with a lot of important demographics.”

It’s that concept that gave rise not only to Trump’s candidacy, but also that of Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s Democratic opposition for their party’s White House nomination.

“In their own both unique ways, neither Trump or Sanders are overly measured in what they say and how they come across,” Smith said. “And that’s gained them a lot more support than anyone ever thought.

“A year ago, who would have guessed that Trump would be sitting where he is today? No one.”

Smith said Trump was wise to pick Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as a running mate over some other names being rumored as VP contenders, such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

“Had Trump picked Christie, it would have been a disaster,” Smith said. “It would have competed with Trump’s talking points, and my sense is, Trump wants to have the last word.”

With Clinton set to announce her vice presidential running mate soon, Smith said she needs to choose a quality candidate to add to her ticket.

“If you look at Clinton right now, you might say she has more credibility given her time on office,” Smith said. “But she doesn’t come across as vulnerable or authentic, so it’s critically important that she picks a running mate with those qualities.”

Image Credit: Donald Trump via the Trump Campaign, Mike Pence: official photo from governor's office