I don't know, I really think he is that -- not stupid, necessarily, but SO USED to getting his own way because of his money and his privilege. He never backs down, no matter what, because that would mean admitting he was wrong, and he's not going to do that. He defines himself as a master strategist, and then, by definition, everything he does is brilliant.

Donald Trump is well on his way to becoming president

You say that like it is a good thing rather than a reflection of the strength of the hold that white (and male) supremacy has on the hearts and minds of a certain segment of the population. The fact that Trump is being held up as a paragon of a businessman because of (I'd like to say 'in spite of' but at this point I think his supporters love it about him) his pattern of swindling, cheating, lying and stealing in business makes this whole thing morally repugnant.

and I just make mistakes that make people angry

YOU are not deliberately whipping angry, entitled people into a violent, irrational rage preparing them to not only accept but celebrate a fascist dictatorship in which women, persons of various colors, members of religions other than fundamentalist Christianity, workers, persons with disabilities, poor people, journalists, activists, and a whole bunch of other people are going to have more indignities than they already experience every day heaped on their heads, more violence, more injustice, more death. What Trump is doing is evil on a massive scale. And he pats himself on the back for being a clever boy. You? You make perfectly ordinary mistakes, the kind that create normal levels of inconvenience to fix. These are not moral failures, they're just little hitches in the works. But the verbal abuse you get for them cause you to forget that you are a worthy, valuable and accomplished human being.

He never backs down, no matter what, because that would mean admitting he was wrong, and he's not going to do that.

That's why I think he's looking for a way out of this campaign that will allow him to paint himself in the best possible light ("rigged system," etc.). Then it won't be "backing down" in his eyes.

The most recent - he got stuck in an elevator in Colorado Springs, was rescued by the fire department and then, at his speaking engagement later that day he BLASTED the fire chief for enforcing the venue capacity.

Yeah, I think that happened in the same 24-hour period in which he badmouthed the Khans. I really think he's trying to lose.

What happens if a candidate withdraws from the race?

The parties select a candidate to fill the vacancy. Each party has its own rules for how it is done from nomination to Electoral College vote, and then from Electorial College to swearing in.

I have decided to pretty much work from home this week except for today and Wednesday. My metro line is being repaired, and if I want to drive in I also have to do the car pool to summer camp, so I figure I will just not get in professional clothes and go to morning sing instead with my daughter before I go home and press the computer's keys from there.

Ugghhhh, you guys, I just wiped out on a wet floor while getting my lunch. So I'm a little banged up and also embarrassed. Not that it was my fault, but you hate to end up on the floor regardless.

You say that like it is a good thing

Definitely not a good thing for the country.

I don't think Trump is looking for a way out. He's made the worst mistake possible for a candidate: believing his own press. I think he really does believe he's the only one who can save the country. In other words, he's totally delusional.

Some people just naturally stay vertical, Jesse tries very hard.

Seriously, I'm sorry the wet floor got you and you got banged up and embarrassed. I hope the day goes better from there.

Sounds like the kind of thing I would do, Jesse. Keep in mind I'm still wearing an ankle brace because I tripped over my own feet coming down the stairs.

Ok, so I finally got the call for a Skype screening interview for the job! Two weeks from today.

My former boss broke her wrist slipping on a wet floor at work. Who designs workplaces where the floors become like skating rinks when wet, in a world where it rains?

Yeah, I don't think Trump is trying to get out. I think he responds in the meanest way possible to every perceived insult or slight without regard for consequences because he's never been affected in any meaningful way to any consequence of his actions.