"For Republicans, it’s the beginning of the end to silly season.
Developer and entertainer Donald Trump’s decision to end his presidential flirtations Monday removed from the equation a candidate who vexed the GOP establishment and served to remind voters of the weakness of the 2012 Republican field.
Equally important, it cleared the way for the party to hold a more serious debate over who should carry the GOP nomination in 2012.
Trump – the flavor of last month – rode a wave of “birtherism” and nativism to great heights in the early polls. His rise revealed a Republican electorate that is deeply dissatisfied with its choices of former politicians and failed candidates and yearning for more direct confrontation with President Barack Obama."
Donald Trump exit signals end to silly season
POLITICO.com:
