as of today to be the GOP nominee. He is more competitive than Jeb nationally, per the latest CNN/ORC poll.

In the general, its Romney 10x. Also, save Fred Trump basically handing The Donald his fortune for later.

And are getting the opportunity to determine what the key issues will be in 2016 - why not?

primary voters wouldn't listen anyway.

However, when the subject comes up, as it always seems to, we could simply dismiss him as that loud drunk at the end of the bar who has an easy answer for everything.

Don't give him any pub and let him burn himself out, at least for now.

If Democrats attack Trump he is going to turn his attention to them and away from the other Republicans.

There are also Republicans that don't like Trump but might see him more favorably if he is attacked by Democrats.

Just let him burn through the GOP and don't give him more attention than he has already.

I don't buy the whole "Let the Republicans destroy themselves."

Trump getting the GOP nod would add to his legitimacy amongst non-affiliated voters, not subtract from it.

Crazy as it sounds, he's the front runner of the GOP. And he's batshit crazy. The ball is on the tee.

Editing to illustrate:

This man is the current GOP front runner:

Trump has stolen the base of the Republican Party and the other candidates don't know whether to shit or go blind...

in top Repuke gatherings. Bet on it.

You built the Frankenstein Monster, now you get to deal with it, chumps.

just to laugh every time his name is mentioned. And laugh at anything he says. And laugh whenever he walks into the room.

Take him about as seriously as you take the Three Stooges. Just laugh, but otherwise behave as if he doesn't exist.

stay out of it

this guy's obsessive - his engagement with an opponent is neither conventional, or rational

There's GOT to be a whole heck of a lot of dirt on him which is being held back in the event he wins the primary. When dishing the dirt, consideration of timing is very important, in any battle - this one is no different.

Right now, the Democrats have to make sure Trump doesn't slop his garbage over them or the rest of us. The Democrats have to maintain the image of being the grown-ups, the sane people in the room.

Otherwise, I'd rather just pass the popcorn and watch the GOP try to decide whether to shit or go blind whenever he opens his mouth.

But I'd be real careful. Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone has a brilliant essay out on why Trump "isn't all that funny anymore."

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/donald-trump-just-stopped-being-funny-20150821

(snip)
Trump's. . .message is a powerful aphrodisiac. Fuck everything, fuck everyone. Fuck immigrants and fuck their filthy lice-ridden kids. And fuck you if you don't like me saying so.

Those of us who think polls and primaries and debates are any match for that are pretty naive. America has been trending stupid for a long time. Now the stupid wants out of its cage, and Trump is urging it on. There are a lot of ways this can go wrong, no matter who wins in 2016.
(snip)

More or less suggested that she was a liar and a criminal and is in a lot of trouble...

Nobody else's. For now.

The Republicans know full well Trump isn't going to be the candidate. But they sure enjoy him taking the heat instead of their serious horses in the race.

to address the substance of his wacko positions on the issues because then it looks like he's being taken seriously. The people who like him won't be persuaded by any factual refutation of his nutty statements, so it's better just to mock and deride him.

...preferably when there are a couple of other people who are guaranteed to back up the ridicule and point and laugh at him.

That does not mean I think ridicule is enough, nor do I think he should be underestimated. As others on DU have bee pointing out, there is a long history in this country and others of misunderestimating the ability of dangerous lunatics and/or morons to achieve elective office.

He also should be fought head-on. He spouts lies, such as immigration being higher than ever (false, certainly w.r.t. immigration rates from Mexico, which declined and then leveled off since the 2007 financial debacle). He engages in fear-mongering based on his lies. We need to get out in front of all this. Politicians are afraid to address it head-on for fear of seeming to coddle so-called "illegals". But if our politicians do not have the courage to attack this man head-on, then who will do so? Certainly not the Republicans, who are engaging in a sick game of one-upmanship on who can be the least "politically correct" and who can hold the most extreme positions.

Another reason why the DNC should lift its debate restrictions. Allow our Democratic candidates to enter debates with Trump and other Republican candidates. Allow our people to argue against the hateful positions that Trump and others are espousing. Don't allow these hateful creatures to take up all the air time, as is happening now. It is not just that we want our side to win, it is that what is happening now is DANGEROUS for this country.

Treat him like an internet troll seeking attention.

They can save the business failures, infidelity, racism, and policy stuff until the election. There is still 1 year from crunch time in the election. No need to go at him now. Hell, I imagine they all want to run against him.

“Rhetoric does not get you anywhere, because Hitler and Mussolini are just as good at rhetoric. But if you can bring these people down with comedy, they stand no chance.”

So I vote for ridicule, taking the piss, sending him up, dressing him down. Trump is made of buttons waiting to be pushed. Push away.