Trump Will ‘Probably’ Run as Independent If He Doesn’t Win GOP Nomination -

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/04/11/trump-will-probably-run-as-independent-if-he-doesnt-win-gop-nomination/

Donald Trump will “probably” run as an independent candidate for U.S. President in 2012 if he does not receive the Republican party’s nomination, he told the Wall Street Journal in a video interview on Monday.

When Christine O'Donnell and Sister Sarah's reign of terror had finally been pushed into the memory hole, here comes The Donald, spreading laughter and ruin everywhere he goes.

Trump is a problem if the first order for the Republican party. Not only does he suck up the media bandwidth of the electorate, leaving less space for more serious candidates, he checks every box on the list to drive independents and moderates away. He has built his "campaign" on the ultimate litmus test of the Bircher right, the birther issue, and threatens to bring it mainstream just as it was dying in some back alley. He makes Sarah Palin look downright presidential through his ill-advised barbs and nonsensical rants. His past positions and statements run directly counter to the voter base he is now courting.

Worse, there is no way for Republicans to reign him in. He gains his presence not from political power but from being a brand, and there is no way a politician can stop him now. He has eclipsed the presence and power of any Republican politician.

So he continues, pushing the birther issue to a general primary litmus test, out-nuttering Palin, Beck and all the others. You see, they were amateurs. Trump is a pro. He's grifted like this before. Check out his 2000 presidential campaign. The only amazing thing about this is that he's going to pull it off twice.