Ted's my Senator, and my first choice for Prez, but I'm afraid he hasn't been on the national stage long enough to take it this time around.
Trump's going to be the nominee this time around because Americans are sick to death of politicians in general, and are looking for a fire breathing outsider to rescue the country.
He can't be bought, and doesn't owe a thing to anyone. Neither the GOP-e or the Dems can control him, so he'll continue to take bold positions the others can't. Those positions will resonate with the public more and more, while diminishing his rivals in their eyes.
Again, unless something drastic happens with his campaign like some unrecoverable stumble, he's going to be the nominee, then go on to beat the Dem in a landslide of epic proportions.