THE TRUMP THREAT – AT 9:29 A.M. ET:  Love him or hate him, Donald Trump has become a factor in next year's presidential election.  But what kind of factor?  The possible answer we're getting has chilling implications.

Trump is currently leading in the polls for the Republican nomination.  It is highly unlikely that he will be the nominee in the end, once Republicans see all the candidates and are told of Trump's history of supporting Democrats as well as Republicans.

Trump will probably slip, and someone else will win the nomination. 

Then what?  That's what's chilling.

Donald Trump has a monumental ego, and he has refused to rule out the possibility of running as an independent candidate for president, as Ross Perot did in 1992.  Perot took votes away from President George H.W. Bush, and handed the presidency to Bill Clinton, who received only 42% of the vote.  And that's what Republicans fear might happen this time.  Frank Luntz, the pollster and commentator, said last night that if Trump enters the general election campaign as an independent, it will be impossible for a Republican to win the election.  How does President Hillary sound to you?

So Trump must be dealt with.  Can an ego like that be convinced to drop out for the good of the country?  The answer to that question may well decide the next four or eight years of American history.  I wouldn't take this matter lightly.

July 21, 2015