The One Way To Invite An Independent Trump Candidacy

While it is a worthy pursuit to examine and anticipate each passing twist and turn of the Trump campaign, there is one goal that should be at the top of every conservative list: avoid luring him into an independent run.

Anything that makes Trump wistfully consider a third-party run is bad. Anything that makes him dismiss it is good. My opinion of his campaign has no effect on this conclusion. For the record, I have enjoyed his directness and fierce autonomy from the donors and consultants that usually water down GOP candidates and eventual nominees. I have also winced at his wheels-off moments of juvenile barbs and cell-number disclosures. All the while, his presence has taught us lessons about the voters and the GOP field that we would not have otherwise learned.

But make no mistake. Once the Republican Trump flirtation ends, and that will be later rather than sooner, if he mounts an independent candidacy, Barack Obama gets a Democrat successor.

Here is a smart guy that tells why Trump is better Than Perot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkYCFpuK1fo&list=PLv1qHE0zuJL-Y_lz7RpczOYTqGq-p4WZL&index=21

I think 3rd party is Trumps way of negotiating more respect from the GOP...

Though Trump would have to commit fairly early, the deadline for putting a party on the ballot in some states is very early, like November.

I don't think this is necessarily true. There are a plethora of minor parties which are already qualified in many states. If Trump could be nominated by as few as 2 or 3 of these he could be on the ballot in almost all states. For instance, the Libertarian party is already qualified in 26 states.

How does he do this? Easy. Money and political payoff. If he promised almost any party enough money (a war chest for future elections, or even this one) and a cabinet position (a national platform to promote their views) even the most dedicated minor party could see this as a good deal. And, it would not be unprincipled. Especially since these parties wold see the potential for a rise in their popularity in the major restructuring which would inevitably follow a Trump victory as a third party candidate.

There would be an interesting side effect. If Trump were nominated by two minor parties, both on the ballot in some states, would his name appear twice in those states?

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To me, the way the Republicans prevent Trump from becoming a disaster for them is to embrace him. He clearly has appeal and a base. Let him into the debates. And into the primaries. If he wins, he is their best candidate. If he loses, the process was "fair" and by then it is too late to run on a third party ticket.

Give him the VP slot, or promise a cabinet position and he will open his wallet...

"Maybe Kasich?"

I have very mixed thoughts about Kasich. On the one hand, he is definitely a "get it done guy" and will deliver on some of the conservative agenda, the parts he's in accord with. On the other hand, he's not always so conservative. I'd support him in the general, but still favoring Walker, Fiorina, who are "get-it-doners" and more conservative than Kasich. Also like Cruz and Carson, but worry about lack of administrative record.

Trump is hinting he will run as a third-party candidate if the RNC doesn’t treat him fairly—but anything short of him getting the nomination will equal not being treated fairly. Perhaps if he does very poorly in primary after primary he will give it up. Otherwise he may think that running as an independent he can beat both parties’ nominees and win the Presidency.

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