is it possible the debates will turn out to be the greatest illusion of history and trump will emerge as the front runner?
No. You are assuming there will be actual debates, and that if they do take place, they will change people's minds.
I predict Trump will actually figure out a way to cast the very debates themselves as an attack on his credibility, and a willing and compliant media (my real term omitted to comply with RR guide) will legitimize his faux outrage.
"How DARE she impugn my patriotism by having the GALL to demand a DEBATE?"
"If she tries to debate, she's not going to make the case for her candidacy, she will use the debates to open her pockets to help RIG THE ELECTION!!"
"What do we need to hear from Crooked Hillary that we haven't already heard before? My voters and her voters have already made up their minds, so a debate is just theater."
(So sayeth the MASTER of said "theater")
Not kidding, I think he will actually pull it off.
She will not get the chance to debate him.
