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Keller @ Large: Trump's Tactics

BOSTON (CBS) - We don't know for sure what happened in Chicago. I can tell you I have little use for people who try to shut down a political speech.

Make that no use.

But there's a bigger picture here.

In his campaign kickoff speech last June, Donald Trump didn't say "we have a problem with illegal immigrant crime." He chose to say Mexico is sending rapists here.

After San Bernardino, Trump didn't say we need tighter screening of immigrants. He chose to say we should temporarily ban all Muslims.

Trump protesters
Demonstrators celebrate after it was announced that a rally with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the University of Illinois at Chicago would be postponed (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Confronted with challenges from opponents and protesters, he has repeatedly chosen the low road of insult and stridency.

Most recently Trump has shrugged off gratuitous violence by his followers, essentially suggesting the victims had it coming.

And ask yourself - why does he continue to stage very large rallies knowing they are a magnet for turmoil and difficult to secure?

There are more responsible ways he could be campaigning.

These are the conscious choices of a politician who wants to incite his supporters, not just persuade them. And he seems unconcerned with the potential consequences.

After all, it's working.

So the voters have to ask themselves - is this appropriate, or not?

Is this presidential? Or not?

Is this acceptable? Or is it unacceptable?

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