Donald Trump is very good at framing his argument far in advance.

[kentuck]

Today, I see that he is attacking the NY Times and the liberal media. No matter what good deeds he might do, they will report negatively about him. The system is rigged. Can't you see?

So, it doesn't really matter how great he might do in a debate with Hillary Clinton, they will not report the truth. The NY Times is in bad shape anyway, you know? They will probably not be in business in a couple of years?

He is laying the groundwork for any future debates and the election results in general. Why debate if it is already rigged? Even if he loses the election, he sees it as a great investment opportunity. His supporters will become his customers.

Also, he is very good at diverting the attention of a media with an attention deficit disorder. So long as he can dictate the story of the day, no one will be asking him for his tax returns.

[randr]

1. He is attemting to frame arguements as you say

But I don't agree he is good at it. As you point out, he plays his hand with complete transparency and it is obvious to all what he is doing.
Because the media does not do their job is the only reason he gets away with what is at best very childish and intimidating behavior.

[kentuck]

2. I think he has been very successful up to this point.

Hopefully, more eyes will open. After all, he stepped in and stole the Republican base of voters from 16 other opponents.

[unc70]

9. He mostly changed discussion away from Putin

It took picking a fight with the Khans, but Putin is off the front page.

[HereSince1628]

3. Seems an alternate hypothesis is that he's framing the rationale for his withdrawal

I can't see his continued upping the ante on outrageousness other than as a pointed attempt to reach a height of ridiculousness where oxygen fails to be life supporting, and we witness a spectacular end to the gravity test.

[kentuck]

4. Maybe he will declare bankruptcy??

Void of any ideas?

[GulfCoast66]

7. Can s person

Declare moral bankruptcy?

Seems like a title bestowed by others!

[HereSince1628]

8. Something like that, his history is ...go very big, watch the project crash and burn, walk away

enriched.

Sometimes it looks like he's more interested in the experience of looking as if he has stared financial death in the eye and cheated it than he is in success.

The other day when that thought hit me, my mind flipped to a vision of him as the Evel Knievel of politics. This election may well be Trump's version of the build up to the rocket-ride over the Snake River Canyon.

Like Knievel the event he really believes in and works on is the build-up. It's the build up that brings his rewards. What we see as 'the event', be it the openning of a super-tower or an election victory could really be of no consequence to him.

-That- final act diverts our attention as he rides away enriched

[Else You Are Mad]

5. Trump was only successful at it...

When he was merely pandering to Republicans. That combined with his bullying was the reason he was so successful. Conservatives love those that are seemingly stronger than they are.

That may be a successful strategy to beat your opponents in a race to be a far right conservative nominee in the primary, but it is a failing strategy in the general election.

I believe that is why Trump is becoming more and more unhinged - - he realizes he isn't 'winning ' with that strategy any more and he cannot stand it.

[kentuck]

6. I think you make a good point...

It worked with the Republicans but they need more to win at the national level. They will need to destroy the reputation of their opponent and bring her down to their level, in order to have a chance. That is why they are driving home the email issue - it is all they have.