Steven Strauss

Donald Trump is the gift that keeps on giving — to the Democratic Party and front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Clinton, as the ever more likely Democratic presidential nominee, should be facing a difficult path to the presidency. Americans polled in 2015 showed a slight Republican preference when asked if they’d vote for a Republican or Democrat for president in 2016. Also, economic recovery following the 2008 crash was weak. More than 60% of Americans believe we’re headed in the wrong direction.

Many voters seem in the mood for change after two terms of President Obama. Clinton, a prominent political insider for 30 years, is also a former member of the Obama administration. There is no way she could be considered a candidate of change, try as she might to make that case based on her gender.

Further, Clinton is a polarizing figure viewed unfavorably by the majority of Americans. She has a history of activities that, at best, demonstrate bad judgment, including: her home-brew email server (under investigation by the FBI) while secretary of State, outrageous speaking fees from banks and other entities the government regulates, the Clinton Foundation receiving donations from wealthy people under dubious circumstances, and much else.

As one example (from many), Clinton accepted $675,000 in speaking fees from Goldman Sachs, despite public anger at banks for their role in the financial crisis. No, she didn’t need the money — the Clintons’ estimated net worth is $100 million. Not criminal, but not wise. To many people, the Clintons seem completely disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Americans.

#NeverTrump never had a chance: Ken Rudin

In this context, a strong Republican front-runner, with well thought out positions on America’s challenges, would have an excellent chance of defeating Clinton in November. Even in the primary season, such a candidate would provide an unflattering comparison for Clinton.

Instead the GOP has Trump, who spouts inchoate stream-of-consciousness rage in place of thoughtful policy pronouncements. As he wins contest after contest, he’s a godsend to Clinton in many ways.

Trump’s outrageous pronouncements have made the news cycle “all Trump, all the time,” thus vacuuming up news media attention that might have been spent scrutinizing Clinton.

He also has some of the same political problems as Clinton — except exponentially worse. For instance, though Trump is popular with a segment of the GOP, he has the highest unfavorable rating of any candidate for president since Gallup began collecting data. And if Clinton knows little about the hardships faced by most Americans, Trump is even more disconnected. He was born into a wealthy and well-connected real estate family.

His business dealings, meanwhile, make Clinton seem a model of propriety. Trump leaves a trail of bankrupt companies and lawsuits in his wake, including: Trump University (ongoing fraud suits), Trump Taj Mahal (bankruptcy 1991), Trump Plaza Hotel (bankruptcy 1992), Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts (bankruptcy 2004) and Trump Entertainment Resorts (bankruptcy 2009).

If anti-Trump protests grow, they could hand Donald the election: James Robbins

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

Trump has also faced persistent claims that he has employed undocumented immigrants on his real estate projects, resulting in messy litigation — so much for his concern about preserving U.S. jobs for Americans. Moreover, Trump’s public service record is dismal. When his country called him to military service, he received five draft deferments — not illegal, but not an inspiring record for someone seeking the presidency.

Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, scathingly denounced Trump as a fraud and warned that his election could put the USA and our political system in peril. Many other Republicans share Romney’s negative views. Assuming Trump is the GOP nominee, Clinton (if she is the Democratic nominee) will look far better by comparison, and will benefit from many Republicans refusing to support Trump.

Trump, in many ways, is the weakest of the GOP presidential candidates. Ted Cruz (with the second largest number of Republican convention delegates) has significantly better national favorability ratings than Trump. In a hypothetical race with Clinton, polling has consistently shown Trump losing by a wide margin, whereas Clinton vs. Cruz shows a much tighter race — with some recent polling even showing Cruz as winner.

Clinton might yet lose the nomination and election, but Trump as the Republican front-runner only helps her chances of winning both.

Steven Strauss is the John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs & Co. Visiting Professor at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Follow him on Twitter @Steven_Strauss.

In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes diverse opinions from outside writers, including our Board of Contributors.To read more columns like this, go to the Opinion front page.