WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has jumped to a lead in early polls for the Republican party's 2016 presidential nomination, thanks partly to grassroots conservatives who love his tough talk about illegal immigrants and career politicians.
Trump isn't always so conservative, however.
A glance at his policies shows that, far from being a consistent conservative, he's more of a political chameleon — with an ideological colour that changes, depending on the topic and the year.
A few examples of times he's shown more liberal colours:
—Wanted Canadian-style medicare: Trump proposed a single-payer health system like Canada's, a reform more radical than President Barack Obama's. In his 2000 book, "The America We Deserve," he lists a series of advantages Canadians enjoy — longer, healthier lives; less medical lawsuits; lower costs for employers.
Trump noted that Canada's system had financial challenges, and could be improved upon, but he was adamant: "I'm a conservative on most issues but a liberal on this one. We should not hear so many stories of families ruined by healthcare expenses."
He now says the U.S. can't afford it anymore. He says he still wants protection for people who need urgent care, but with minimal government interference. He was a bit light on specifics when pressed this week by CNN: "(Obamacare) — it's gotta go," he replied. "Repeal and replace with something terrific."
—Donated to Democrats: A prolific cheque-writer to both parties, the billionaire gave more to Democrats than Republicans until a few years ago. This includes donations to campaigns by his potential 2016 rival Hillary Clinton, and at least $100,000 to the Clinton family foundation. The Clintons even attended his most recent wedding.
He now shrugs off the donations as a business expense — a way of building political connections.
But the longtime Ronald Reagan admirer told CNN, in 2004: "In many cases, I probably identify more as Democrat. It just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans."
—Abortion: He was pro-choice for years. He made that clear, while admitting that he struggled with the issue: "I support a woman's right to choose," he wrote in his 2000 book, "but I am uncomfortable with the procedures."
He's even less comfortable today. Trump told CNN this week that he witnessed a friend come close to having an abortion before ultimately deciding to keep the baby.
"Their child is, like, this magnificent person. And it had an impact," he said. He said he supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest and when the mother's health is at risk.
—Threatens a job-outsourcing tax: In his campaign launch speech last month, he mentioned Ford's new Mexican plant and explained how a President Trump would threaten the head of the Ford Motor Co.: "Let me give you the bad news: every car, every truck and every part manufactured in this plant that comes across the border, we're going to charge you a 35 per cent tax — okay? — and that tax is going to be paid simultaneously with the transaction."
—A historic tax for the wealthiest one per cent: When Trump flirted with a presidential run in 2000, he had an idea for paying off the national debt: A one-time, 14.25 per cent tax on people's net worth above $10 million that would immediately wipe out the then-U.S. debt of US$5.7 trillion.
"By my calculations, one per cent of Americans, who control 90 per cent of the wealth in this country, would be affected by my plan," he said at the time. "Personally this plan would cost me hundreds of millions of dollars, but in all honesty, it's worth it."
Some critics said he'd botched the numbers, and hadn't accounted for a variety of side-effects including tax avoidance. They needn't complain this time: Trump hasn't raised the idea in this campaign.
—Wants to rip up free-trade deals: In theory, he says, free trade is good. But he says the existing deals disadvantage the U.S. because its negotiators are dumb — he compared them to high-school kids playing football against Super Bowl champ Tom Brady.
—Still willing to defy conservatives: On issues like immigration, gun control and climate change, Trump is in lock-step with the Republican right. But what if it bristles at his as-yet-undefined plan to ensure everyone has access to critical health care?
"You know what? If I lose votes over that, or I don't get a nomination over that, that's just fine with me," he said in this week's CNN interview.
"You have to help people."
