Come with me on a journey through some recent political history...
1992 - Ross Perot runs independent, destroys Major party candidates in debates, Republicans blame him for Bush's Sr's loss to Bill Clinton. From his popularity, The Reform Party is born. They are an umbrella party that avoids social issues, but is nationalistic, anti immigration and anti free trade.
Pre-1996 - Led by the Major parties, the presidential debate commission changes it's rules to make it virtually impossible for an independent or 3rd party candidate to get on the debate stage.
1996 - Perot runs Reform Party but isn't allowed to debate, so doesn't do as well but still gets 8% which hits the mark to get federal matching funds for the Reform party for the 2000 election.
2000 - Donald Trump decides to run for the Presidency on the Reform party ticket, but Pat Buchanan leaves the Republican party with minions, joins the reform party and amongst massive infighting, gets the nomination and the $12.6 million in matching funds. Buchanan doesn't even run a campaign, pays his debts with the 12.6 mil, gets 0.4% of the vote, destroys the Reform party, and then conveniently turns back into a Republican and is welcomed with open arms.
2000-2015 - Trump befriends Clintons personally, politically, and professionally... supports their campaigns, attends their events, frequently takes Democrat social political positions (pro-choice, universal healthcare, social justice, etc.) He's also becoming a reality TV star.
2015-2016 - Trump completely flips and decides to run for the republican nomination. Invests practically no money, but says enough crazy stuff and insults that he knows will get him tons of TV time and attract the angry masses. Doesn't take any actual policy positions.
2016 - Trump secures the (now fractured) Republican party nomination and immediately begins making gaffes and missing opportunities to attack his opponent. Something he did not do in the primaries.
If he fakes a poor campaign and loses, he has increased his profile, increased his wealth, increased his celebrity status, his good friend is now the most powerful person on the planet (and owes him) and he has exacted revenge on the party that sabotaged the reform party (which stood for principles he actually believes) and his 2000 run.
If he wins, he actually has to run the country for 4 years and can't focus on building his business and celebrity profile.
Conclusion?
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