The Hour Is Growing Late to Stop Trump (Advocate an Immediate Rubio/Kasich Team)

Sabato's Crystal Ball ^ | February 20, 2016 | Larry J. Sabato, Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley

[C19fan]

If you had told us when Donald Trump entered the race that he would take second place in Iowa, win New Hampshire easily, and then triumph in South Carolina, you’d have needed smelling salts to revive us. But he’s done it, and no one else has really been able to shake the intense hold he has on about a third of the Republican Party.

The old question becomes THE question: Can Trump expand his ceiling to 40% and above, as the number of opponents dwindles?

[Dick Bachert]

Excellent point! He would cast a curse on the family name for generations. Or until the libtards take control and kill anyone that resists them. Whichever comes first!

[DoughtyOne]

Okay, well glad to hear you can see your way clear to support Trump.

Great news.

[Political Junkie Too]

I doubt he's looking to give away his decisions for gain, because he owns the whole thing right now. What do they have to give him? Nada.

The only thing they have to give is their promise to not obstruct Trump. That said, Trump 1) would be right to be suspicious of such promises, and 2) would steamroll over them if they did try to obstruct, making such promises an empty gesture.

So, Rubio gets to be VP. Trump has already indicated he was a politician from a battleground state. Rubio is as good a choice as most. And he comes with a lot of upside.

I don't know how much of a battleground Florida will be to Trump. Yes, the Dade/Broward/WPB Democrat machine is formidable, but I think Trump will be more popular than Romney, McCain, or GW Bush even was. A lot of retired New Yorkers live in Florida.

The swing states in 2012 were Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Virginia, and Ohio. A total of 1,193,729 votes in select precincts across those five states swung the election. Virginia and Ohio would be nice prizes. So would taking New York from Clinton; it's Trump's home state and Clinton's carpet-bag.

So what helps Trump in Virginia and Ohio? Obviously, Kasich helps in Ohio, but at what price? Would Trump get Kasich's support regardless of being on a ticket? Would early Trump supporters see choosing Kasich as selling out the movement?

What if Trump were to bring back somebody like Scott Walker, who dropped out early enough to not be too tarnished and still has a reputation as a fighter in Wisconsin? Walker beat the teacher's unions and Trump wants to bring education control back to the states. Could Walker help in the midwest?

What it Trump were to name Allen West? West would help in Florida and with veterans, and Trump wants to fix Veteran Administration.

Who is strong on immigration? How about former Arizona governor Jan Brewer? She is strong on a lot of Trump's issues, especially immigration, and would also challenge Clinton for the women's vote.

Anybody else come to mind that would unite the Conservatives and not turn off the middle, or vice versa?

-PJ

[PGalt]

ROFLMAO! Very funny. Is this original PJBankard humor?

[PJBankard]

I wish.

[PGalt]

LOL! Thanks, PJ. It’s still a great post (I’ve never seen it used before).

[Cboldt]

    ROFL:ROFL:ROFL:ROFL
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[Cboldt]

-- Rubio + Kasich = 27% --

At best. The combination could be (worst case) negative to Rubio. These pundits are great examples of "magic thinkers."

[entropy12]

[rebooted]

In the event both parties force establishment candidates down their base voters’ throats, maybe the explosion will be two independent candidates running. Trump because the party screwed him royally, Sanders because he is a principled socialist, feeling bitter in being treated shabbily by his party. Rubio, Hillary, Trump, Sanders - now that's an election to get excited about!