If Trump goes third party, then the Republicans will certainly lose the White House in 2016.

[dfwgator]

Don’t disagree. I see Trump more as a “Hail Mary” pass, because that pretty much is where this country is right now, down by a touchdown with ten seconds left.

[XenaLee]

This was his plan from the beginning. He wants Hillary to win. Trump’s Chumps don’t see it yet, but they’re being used the same way Perot’s supporters were. That gave us Bill Clinton twice. Trump’s Chumps will give us Hillary.

Exactly. Trump was rumored to be Hillary's stalking horse back in 2008. He is just paving the way for her again and now. How anyone could trust Trump is beyond me. He's had more flip flops on the issues than anyone. And he is just filthy rich enough that even a disastrious Hillary presidency couldn't send him to the poor house. A dangerous condition for any future CIC, IMO.

[usconservative]

In other words..., Trump is the Republicans ONLY HOPE for the White House.

I don't agree with that sentiment.

Having said that, the Republican Party (RINO's and Moderates) need to understand one simple fact: Trump is giving voice to the issues that are pissing off every day, mainstreet American voters.

Period.

The Republican Party ignores Trump at their own peril.

I would further argue that there is a significant amount of people in the Democrat party (called Blue Dog Democrats and "Reagan Democrats") that are pretty pissed off too about illegal immigration and the economy which is increasingly leaving people behind.

Trump has his finger firmly on the pulse of the American voter. Does that translate into votes for Trump at election time? I don't think so. But I think he'd pull enough people away from the Republican Party that it would cost the Republican Party the Presidency.

Given the current crop of candidates and their inability to address the very issues Trump's bringing to the fore, I'm not so sure that's a bad thing. Then again, I don't like ANYONE who's running.

[usconservative]

The only issue with Cruz winning anything at the national level is brand-name recognition. I’ve brought up the name several times to typical, uninformed people and they reply, “never heard of him”.

Any bets that those same voters know who Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush are?

Those are the only two names the liberal lamestream media mentions (when they mention a Republican candidate at all anyway)

[dfwgator]

Besides, Cruz looks terrific at this point. At least to me.

Of course he does, and to me too. The problem is folks like us are in the vast minority these days in this country.

The one thing Trump has going for him, is that in this day and age of Social Media, he is the one Candidate that can get past the screening of the Drive-By media and get his message direct to the Low-Information Voters. Could milquetoast guys like Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush do that? No way.

My hope is that people will realize that while Trump's message may be good, the man has too many flaws, but then will see there is a candidate who has the exact same message without all the flaws, and that is Ted Cruz.

[Rebelbase]

That is exactly my point.

[Old Yeller]

I believe God will put Hillary in power because He has put America under His judgment, and this will do us in.

[Dr. Sivana]

Neither is America.

And by that I don't mean that America has gone liberal or progressive, but rather that the largest plurality of Americans are what might be called old-fashioned-Democrat-lite.

Let's admit it: here is where much of America stands on the important issues, in no particular order...

Welfare: should be available, but only for people who really need it.
Jihad: get rid of the "bad" Muslims, keep the "good" Muslims.
Homosexual issues: who cares what you do in your bedroom, and if you want to get married who cares, just don't make religious people have to support it.
Military: keep it big enough to defend ourselves, stop fighting stupid wars that we don't want to win.
Abortion: it should only be available for rape, incest, saving the life of the mother, and when I think I need one, but we shouldn't be able tell a woman what she can't do with her own body.
The debt: stop foreign aid.
Corporations: stop using "slave labor" in third world countries, put Americans back to work--doesn't matter at what, just put 'em back to work.
Immigration: get rid of the "bad" non-citizens, keep the "good" ones.

Anyone see a pattern here? This is essentially what Trump stands for, or at least what is the perception of what Trump stands for. He is by no means a conservative, but "conservative" is an ideology, and Americans in general do not like ideologies. And that is why he is a popular demagogue, in the non-pejorative sense of the term.

That was an outstanding post. I wanted to ping it so I can access it later, and let some more people see it.

I am not a Trump supporter, but he is single-hadedly upending a party controllers that are as thick as 18th century French courtiers.