Rumors abound about the possibility of Trump quitting the Presidential race. It makes sense, considering the post-convention hike Hillary is enjoying and the polls that indicate the RNC convention has caused more people to be less likely to vote for Trump than would vote for him in the general election.

So, the likelihood that a Palinesque “I quit” speech is on the horizon, increases with each dip of Trump’s poll numbers.  Like Palin, Trump will have to weave an excuse that his quitting is a selfless act; one that his supporters could believe and one that allows him to leave with his dignity intact.

That excuse could be surprisingly easy for Trump to manufacture. He could say that he has recently been presented with a business opportunity, that would be a huge benefit for the country, and that he alone is capable to make the business deals required.  Voilà! Trump’s quitting becomes a selfless and patriotic act.

Quitting the Presidential race is really the only thing Trump can do. With three more months remaining before the general election, Trump would have to endure plummeting polls, increased media scrutiny of everything he says, more defections of high profile supporters, and increasingly negative and targeted attacks by Democratic operatives and other high profile citizens and public servants.

The most damaging thing that Trump could do, to himself and his brand, is to actually debate Hillary Clinton at a Presidential debate. He cannot rely on a stump speech at a debate where he can toss out red meat to an adoring crowd who chant “lock her up” when he says “Crooked Hillary”.  His know-nothingism will come to the forefront each time he tries to avoid giving a coherent response to any debate question. He is, as President Obama said, “woefully unprepared” and no amount of debate preparation will help Trump respond persuasively and knowledgeably about national security, foreign policy, and economic policy.

The  coup de grâce, of course, would be that Trump loses the general election and sets the historical precedent of being the first man to lose the US Presidency to a woman.