[Hoot Gibson]

My first choice is option #4...then option #5.

Trump's ego is just too big to go through all of this and not go for the gold ring.

JMO

Favors don't get much bigger than to pave the road to the White House for somebody. If Trump withdraws while his poll numbers are still decent and endorses the future president, then the president would be forever in Trump's debt.

Trump doesn't need the salary and benefits of a president and I doubt that earning a few million dollars making paid speeches as an aging former president (74 or 78 years old) offers much appeal for Trump. He might be content just watching his fortune grow faster knowing that there is a capitalist president in the White House.

Scenario #4 is my second choice. If Cruz continues to climb in the polls and the ridiculous personal attacks on Dr. Carson take a toll on his poll numbers, then I guess that we will find out whether Cruz is exempt from Trump's attacks.