A pro-Donald Trump super PAC has tapped Jesse Benton, a veteran Republican operative with ties to Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, to serve as its chief strategist. The move is the latest indication that the super PAC, dubbed Great America PAC, is developing into a serious organization — one looking to buttress Trump in the final stretch of the Republican primary and, potentially, the general election. “There is a growing movement behind Donald Trump, bringing new voters to the GOP in an unprecedented way,” Benton wrote in an email. “Great America PAC will help grow and harness that movement, unify Republicans and work to win not just the White House, but to also lengthen Mr. Trump’s coattails in races across the America.” Benton, 38, is a prominent figure in Republican politics. Earlier this election season, he oversaw a pro-Rand Paul super PAC. In 2014, he served as a top aide on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s reelection bid. In 2012, he helped to guide Sen. Ron Paul’s presidential bid. He also was top aide on Paul’s 2010 Senate bid.

Be prepared to endure an onslaught of denials from Trump that he countenances this organization. The best story is that his lawyers made the organization change it’s original name from TrumPAC. This is totally bullsh**. Before TrumPAC even formed the FEC had ruled it was illegal for a Super PAC to use a candidate’s name in its title.

As I’ve noted, repeatedly, (here | here | here) ultimately Donald Trump will be the preferred candidate of the GOP Establishment. He’s the guy who has single-handedly turned the principled party of Ronald Reagan into “Let’s Make A Deal.” Because he believes in nothing and will deal on everything he is the guy the Chamber Commerce, or any other crony capitalist or rent-seeking group, can turn to for their pet projects.

Bringing a consummate GOP political consultant on board is a sign that when the GOP establishment is ultimately confronted with the choice of Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, they will take Donald Trump.