Ingraham: Trump's campaign strategy is to take down all opponents Mafioso-style

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Ingraham on Panel

Laura Ingraham says Donald Trump's strategy is to take down all his opponents in Mafioso style hits

Radio host Laura Ingraham told viewers Tuesday on "Special Report with Bret Baier" that Republican frontrunner Donald Trump is aiming to permanently take rivals out of the presidential race.

Ingraham compared the New York businessman’s overarching campaign strategy to that of a Mafia syndicate:  "Trump's made a calculation that the only way to win [the election] is do what they did in the opening scene of the 'The Godfather,'" Ingraham explained,  "You have to take out the other families. You've got to get them in the revolving door, at the altar, at the phone booth.”

Noting a favorite Trump target, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his extended family, she said, "[Trump has] decided, I guess, the only way to do it is to really settle the score on Bushism: on globalism, trade, immigration, the War [on Terror].  And he's doing it in a way that is really strident and really offends a lot of people."

Ingraham said Trump’s anti-Bush theme is a risky strategy, as there’s "a lot of affection, maybe, for the personality, the people, the patriotic side of the Bushes,” an apparent nod to George H.W. Bush’s long tenure in public service and George W. Bush’s handling of the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks.

“Could it pay off?  I think we're going to find out,” Ingraham said.