I think the highest Trump "rose" in the polls was 33%. Most polls put him in mid 20s. Given the margin of error, he was probably always in the mid 20s, and will likely stay there. But that quarter of the Republican will vote for whomever the eventual candidate is anyway. He will not win any States, cannot win the general election, and will not be president. He is, however, providing cover for the marginal candidate (which, frankly, is most of the field), because, like any good magician, he is keeping attention away from what is really going on. The others are hidden in his shadow so the press and opponents aren't digging into their weaknesses (which are myriad), and they are getting the opportunity to practice outside of the limelight. Jeb Bush, in particular, owes him a big "thanks". Even Clinton is probably grateful for the distraction.

A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich