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Trump exciting GOP… and dangling prospect of 3rd party bid

FILE - In this July 25, 2015, photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally and picnic in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The prospect that Trump might eventually leave the primaries and run for president on his own has started to cast a shadow on the race, reviving memories of Ross Perot, Ralph Nader and the chills their third-party campaigns gave to Republicans and Democrats in turn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) FILE - In this July 25, 2015, photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally and picnic in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The prospect that Trump might eventually leave the primaries and run for president on his own has started to cast a shadow on the race, reviving memories of Ross Perot, Ralph Nader and the chills their third-party campaigns gave to Republicans and Democrats in turn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

By Associated Press July 28, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The prospect that Donald Trump might eventually leave the Republican primaries and run for president as an independent has started to cast a shadow on the race.

And it’s reviving memories of Ross Perot, Ralph Nader and the chills their third-party campaigns gave to Republicans and Democrats alike.

Trump says he wants to run as a Republican and thinks he can win the nomination. But he has not ruled out an independent campaign.

To Republican pollster Frank Luntz, a third-party Trump campaign would take enough away from the Republicans to mean victory for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton. Not all Republicans agree.

But Democratic strategist Maria Cardona does. Cardona is close to the Clinton campaign and calls Trump “the greatest gift” Democrats have in the race.