[irishjuggler]

Even though he is the strongest GOP candidate in recent history.

By what metric is Trump the strongest GOP candidate in recent history? I'm not a particular fan of GWB, but he was a pretty formidable candidate in 2004 against Kerry. Is Trump stronger than that? How so?

I totally get that some Trump supporters absolutely adore the guy in a way that is very rare on our side (though less rare for Democratic candidates such as Obama '08). So, yes, Trump has some very fervent supporters, and that's great, but I've seen little evidence that such folks are a majority or even close to a majority of the total electorate. And I totally get that Trump appeals to some Democrat and independent voters. Just the other day, my non-political Filipino-immigrant barber was talking about how much he likes Trump. Another customer questioned him about why, and his response was that Trump is a great businessman and his hotel in Vegas is impressive.

So, I absolutely agree that Trump has the potential peel off some non-GOP votes. And, yet, I also suspect that there are many, many GOP voters who just don't like or respect Trump. He picks up some from the other side, but he loses some from our side. I'm skeptical that he's a net gainer. And the stuff that people don't like about him (the pettiness, the unpresidential temperament, that lack of expertise on the issues) are, unfortunately, not thing that he's realistically going to be able to change. The dude is 69. He is what he is. He hasn't grown into the position over the last year. He's still the same whiny rich guy, tweeting the same crazy stuff.

[cba123]

I disagree.

Trump is light-years ahead of everyone else, and he is very very strong.

The GOP is risking everything at the moment, by not climbing on with him.

Big time.

[napscoordinator]

Yeah and bush almost lost. Came down to Ohio like 2000 was Florida. Face it, we have not done really well since 1988.

[Does so]

I'm not a particular fan of GWB, but he was a pretty formidable candidate in 2004 against Kerry. Is Trump stronger than that? How so?

GWB has the same degree as Trump, but couldn't distinguish himself with a successful business.

When we needed a businessman in 2008, we got a professor.

:-/