The GOP will say it's because he's a clown, he has no experience, he can't win, he's more a celebrity than a politician. This might all be true. But there's another big reason they'd rather not talk about.

At the debate and numerous public appearances, Trump has matter-of-factly stated that he is an equal opportunity donor to Republican and Democratic candidates—not for the purpose of civic duty or altruism, but in exchange for influence. He has openly deemed his gifts to politicians a business expense. He went so far as to declare, before 24 million viewers at the debate, that he uses his donations to obtain favors from legislators who are all too eager to bow to his requests.

[Trump] not-so-subtly implies that politicians are bought and paid for by him and other financial moguls. And he expects a fair return for those dollars, measured in policy rewards like zoning adjustments, subsidies for building projects and long-term tax relief.

In short, he lets the cat out of the bag about something the political system has spent more than a century to disguise. – Talking Points Memo, Aug. 13, 2015

Donald Trump's persistent poll lead puzzles both journalists and political operatives. Despite breaking all the normal rules of electoral politics, he obviously appeals to a sizable voter segment.

Yet another paradox is that, in the course of pursuing public office, Trump is highlighting the fact that representative democracy is a façade over a much uglier reality. Voters are simply objects that powerful individuals and groups manipulate as necessary to achieve their goals.