if he is a plant, why not quit now?? why wait?? isn't it a little late for a competitive replacement??
Not in the multimedia age.
If Paul Ryan/Tom Brady (or whatever hotshot veep + respected frontrunner) came to the ticket today, it'd still be viable.
Trump's own team is complaining that he's not building a get-out-the-vote effort, not building teams, NOT BUYING COMMERCIAL TIME, etc. If a serious candidate arrived, with 3 months to go, it'd still be viable.
Trump staying in the race crushes many state races. Repubs who don't bother voting cause they hate trump ALSO may skip voting for their congressman, gov, etc. Hurts all the way down the ticket.
I cannot believe trump is crazy enough to say some dumb thing like this, 1 day after newt said he was under control, and he gives a highly respected economic speech. Strong pattern - gain respect with the teleprompter speech, then voila, step in shit with some really crude shit a day later. 3rd time now.