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I think there is another path here. Why I think that is that I read the transcript of last week’s Bob Woodward sit-down interview with Trump. Based on that, here’s how my opinion has evolved:

Trump does NOT need to win 1,237 delegates by the convention.
Let me repeat.
Trump does NOT need to win 1,237 delegates by the convention.

Does he need 1,237 delegates to win? Yes.

My opinion is that Trump will take Kasich as his VP choice.

If he does that, then Trump is assured of controlling 1,237+ delegates when he himself gets to approximately 1,093 delegates. Trump getting over 1,100 delegates is a lock, in my view.

When this deal is announced will be sometime in May, before the California primary on June 7, but after Trump cleans Cruz’ clock in the Northeastern states.

Why Kasich?

The transcript tells the tale.

The question posed regarded what Trump looked for in a VP.

The factors Trump is looking for (from the transcript):

1. Could make a good President.
2. Help Trump get elected. (I’m reading that nomination and general election)
3. Experience with the House and Senate (25 years experience).
4. Political person (not an outsider/businessman, etc.).
5. Friendly relationships with House and Senate.
6. Can get things done.

Kasich can meet all these criteria.

1. Good President? I suppose - better than any Democrat. Will call that a Yes.
2a. Help Trump get the nomination? Yes. He has 144 delegates.
2b. Help Trump win the general? Yes, he can deliver OH.
3. 25 years experience with House and Senate? No and Yes. 18 years Congress plus 6 years to date as Governor puts him close enough for rounding error.
4. Political person? Yes. Former member of Congress and a sitting Governor.
5. Friendly relations with Congress? Yes. Definitely not loathed in Congress like Cruz.
6. Can get things done? Yes. He was Budget Committee chairman the last time the Federal Government ran a budget surplus. Also has 18 years experience on the Armed Services Committee.

So what about Cruz? Can he do that? No. I don’t think there’s an ice cube’s chance in heck that Cruz can obtain 1,093 delegates on his own.

In my opinion, Trump does the deal and wins this before the Convention.

Again, so what options does Cruz have? Easy. If he wants a chance at SCOTUS, he needs to behave.

From the transcript, Trump is working with the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation to assemble a list of 10-12 judge candidates that will be published so that the GOP voters can see that Trump will put forward conservative SCOTUS nominees. Whether Cruz’ name gets on that list is totally up to him.

My 2 cents.

Well, maybe a cent and a half.

OK, my 1 cent!