Poll: Trump holds nearly 50 percent support of Republicans nationally

Sir, IF the data is "TRUE", and accurate, would your thoughts change? I recognize what the GOP's desire is, but this is their bed and they should lie in it. I believe they took Trump as a joke and a sideshow until he showed his ass at the first debate. He picked up momentum quickly and he knew he had them, not the other way around. His issues with Kelly are petty, along with a multitude of other comments he's made about others, but they've only helped him along. In Kelly's case, no one before him really ever took her on. Her shows were really one sided, and she was quick to insult or question your credentials if you made points on her. As someone who doesn't care about this race, I believe like you Trump has zero chance against HRC, but the ONE person who does gets no support and that is Kasich. Cruz won't be able to mess with her. It would wind up like me a Soldier telling you an Airman, that I know what the AF needs according to AF doctrine, yet I've never been an Airman. Gone against their rules? Suddenly brining out a "rule" that was passed in 12 to allow Superdeligates? That isn't a good look for them. On the whining thing, Trump has a definite habit of that....but so does every candidate in this election cycle. One even shut down government since he didn't get his.

I don't select a man for President based on what an organization may or may not be doing to him. I don't think he would make a good President... Period. I'm also not a lemming to which I follow one's momentum. Especially when the petty issues he's brought to light (which you agree) are motivating this momentum. This just shows me there are too many equally petty people out there.

Cruz was not my first pick but I am comfortable enough to vote for him. I cannot say that about Trump and I will not vote for Trump. I also believe Cruz absolutely has a good chance (in fact a better chance) at beating Clinton as he is a very smart politician who takes his time understanding the rules and knows how to use them in his favor (case in point, the LA delegates). The only way Trump beats Clinton is if she is indicted before the election and even then I think he's hard pressed.

The GOP rules have not changed since Trump announced his bid for the nomination. That fact cannot be denied and the GOP has not attempted to change the rules since. I have no problem with them following their rules to the letter, especially if it prevents Trump from winning the nomination. The members of the GOP prides itself as those who want politicians which follow the rules (or the letter of the Constitution if you prefer)... Why should they act any differently when it comes to their own rules? I don't want a nominee who wins through emotional support of a plurality. The rules imposed by the GOP are not too different than our own electoral college. We all know too well that Gore won the popular vote and failed to win the Electoral College. That is the law.

So as a Soldier telling me an Airman what's needed in my doctrine, I would absolutely listen to your perspective. But with that said, I would also note that your perspective comes from the Army world where your doctrine is based on land supremacy and front line warfare. The Army has a history of desiring more CAS from the AF to support their world more directly. The AF on the other hand looks at achieving air supremacy to enable both CAS and effects based targeting behind the lines. As the Airman, my goal would be to continue enabling that goal and ensuring your perspectives on our doctrine promote that strategy. I've written AF doctrine before and one thing I've learned from the experience is that looking at the big picture is critical. In the case of this election, Trump supporters are not looking at the big picture in my opinion, and I'd be happy to debate that with anyone.

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin - What is more important to you, Major? The electorate wishes or the RNC? I left the Republican Party long ago and now feel as if being an independent is where I belong. That doesn't mean I will vote for a liberal, just far more selective as to the Republican or Democrat I would vote for. Ted Cruz was my send choice, because he stood up to the establishment for a long time, he has become somewhat disappointing with all the bickering with Trump. Ignore the trash and work on telling what and how you will defeat Hillary. If this continues, we can just anoint Hillary and be done with it.

Following the rules is important to me. I've been no fan of the GOP since McCain ran for office, but I make my statement by not giving them more money. When they call me for more, I give them my demands as I kindly refuse to donate. That doesn't change my conservative values though, and leaving the party doesn't help me get what I want. Trump is simply not a conservative and I never liked his antics before he ran for President either. I grew bored of listening to him on Fox and Friends telling us about what needs to be done with absolutely no reality injected in his discussions. I do not want to engage in a discussion about how he can beat Clinton because I have no desire to see either become our President. So, you want to know how to beat Clinton? Put a Presidential/Conservative President in on the GOP ticket. Right now that's either Kaisch or Cruz (my primary choice is already out of the picture). Kasich is no longer a realistic candidate unless something truly amazing happens at the convention so I'm going with Cruz.

Personally, I'm tired of the whining not just from Trump, but the self-identified "non-establishment" portion of the GOP. They've all whined over the last 8 years about ObamaCare and many of the other Obama policies and fail to realize one cold hard fact. The GOP does not hold the Super Majority in the House and Senate. No matter what bill they pass which resonates with the "non-establishment," it will be vetoed and there are not enough Republicans to override those vetoes. If they were to compromise, Obama is all too capable of moving the goalposts of the compromise enough to keep the "non-establishment" portion of the GOP pissed off. Put simply, they can't win. However, their messaging is also off and they are not effectively communicating their problems to their base. To make matters worse, they have allowed the DNC to beat them in the war of words.

Flip this. The product that the customers want is sour and no good, do you allow them to receive the product and get sick or pull the product off the shelf, and tell them we're going to replace it with a "better" more palatable one? That would be what the GOP is doing, but I think a little too late. The masses have gotten used to the MRE when they wanted Steak.

SSG Warren Swan I rewrote my response as I came to the same conclusion. Why bend and give everyone a fire breathing dragon just because they have the 'give me what I want' mentality. A good chunk of 'Merica' that is voting is also following Kim Kardashian's ass on twitter - and I feel confident in saying don't have the best reasoning skills.

SPC David S. - Well given a choice between Kim and the asses in this election....I'm following Kim. Her ass doesn't need to pretend it's not fake.