Posted on 12/10/2015 6:01:33 AM PST by Citizen Zed
"The decision will need to be made sooner rather than later because of the ballot deadlines," said Clay Mulford, who advised Ross Perot's third party run. "You'd really need to get started no later than probably the beginning of March."
And in theory, Trump could also seek the nomination of an existing minor party that already has some ballot access such as the Libertarian Party. But it's not unclear that any third party is a natural match for the kind of campaign that Trump has been running this this cycle.
Is it doable?
Successfully launching a third-party bid is complicated and tedious, but it's definitely doable -- especially if you have money.
Trump would need to dig into his wallet to build signature-gathering operations and get on the ballots in all of the states -- a process that would likely cost tens of millions of dollars.
But it's not clear if the billionaire real estate mogul is really willing to shell out.
Trump has been surprisingly stingy so far this cycle. As of the last filing deadline, Trump had only spent about $2 million of his own money -- the other $4 million the campaign spent were donations from supporters.
Though he's recently talked a big game about TV ads, Trump hasn't written big checks yet to go up on the air -- he's only run radio ads so far.
If he doesn't want to spend his own money, he could start fundraising in earnest. But that would go against his promise to be a "self-funding" candidate.
How much would it hurt the GOP?
A Trump third-party run would be very bad news for the Republican Party.
(Excerpt) Read more at tristatehomepage.com ...
I think the GOP-e would do EVERYTHING, legal and illegal, in every state to prevent his name from getting on the ballot.
The GOPe and Republican donor class is fine with this. They can work with Hillary. She's cut from the same cloth they are.
Neither does he ignore a deal he's made. Part of that deal was that Trump be treated fairly by the RNC. Some party spokepeople have been way out of hand, and the RNC doesn't seem to be stopping it.
If Trump goes third party and does it right, with an excellent VP choice and a viable campaign in every state, I suspect he can win. If establishment 'pubs keep demeaning him, he can't win as a Republican but he can win as an independent.
JMHO
As things are going now, I think the convention delegates will shout down the GOPe & nominate Trump by acclamation. Nothing would please me more than seeing Rove, Prebus, & all their cronies then escorted out of the convention. Wave Buh-bye.
I see what your saying, but he is a deal maker, what if he goes to the GOPE and says something like this:
I signed your pledge and now you want to change the rules of the game in mid stream, how about you sign a pledge to the American people you stand behind their choice since your the GOPE or suppose to be’
That sounds like a better deal, the public would know and the GOPE is caught between a rock and a hard place....
The more likely scenario is Trump wins the nomination and the GOPe endorses Hillary.
Talking about something that is not going to happen.
We need to light a huge fire under that asses of the GOP-e to makes sure they treat Trump fairly so we don’t get hillary.
**************
I would like to think that’s possible but as we’ve clearly seen for a long time the GOPe doesn’t give a rat’s behind about us. They have back stabbed us again and again. They only respond to big money donors.
The GOPe is devious and will treat Trump the same way they treated the Tea Party.
I don’t think Hillary will get the nod—too much baggage. It will be a brokered Convention and they will go with Kerry or Warren (or both). No Sanders or Omally. Hillary will not get the nomination.
that would be smart of the libs..that’s why I am not sure..smile..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.