If we polled voters who have been watching this race with a bit more than a casual interest, what do you think the outcome would be, if the question were: “Is Donald Trump serious about winning this election?”

I know how Florida Rep. Carlos Curbelo would vote.

Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo, one of the first congressman to say he would not vote for Donald Trump in November, says he believes the Republican nominee is trying to lose on purpose to help Hillary Clinton.

The Florida congressman added that Trump should step aside to allow another Republican to assume the nomination.

“I have no hard proof for my theory, but I think the relevant question is do people actually think that Donald Trump is trying to win?” Curbelo asked on the Fernand Amandi Radio Show on News Radio 610 WIOD Miami on Monday.

Curbelo has a very good point.

He pointed out repeated missed opportunities for Trump to capitalize on Clinton missteps, such as her claim that FBI Director James Comey had said that she was truthful about her emails. He also has let slide recent revelations about the Clinton Foundation – meaty topics that could be pounded with effectiveness into the media spotlight by more competent candidates.

“Mr. Trump has not focused, he instead, that day or around that time, made the comment about the Second Amendment people — whether he meant it one way, it created a huge distraction,” he said.

And this is a problem.

Whether it’s an issue of ego, where Trump believes that talking about Clinton’s deficits is too much time not talking about himself, or whether he’s actively trying to throw the election to his friend are both valid topics for debate.

“To all my passionate friends who are Trump supporters,” he continued. “And I understand why, there are a lot of people who are angry and frustrated in this country, they really don’t like Hillary Clinton for some obvious reasons — put together his recent conduct together with the fact he’s a close friend of the Clintons, they attended his wedding, the pictures are there to prove it. Donald Trump spoke to Bill Clinton three weeks before launching his campaign. I mean, again, I don’t have any hard proof, it may be nothing, but is this the conduct of someone who is trying to win? I just, I don’t see it.”

When asked if Trump should make room for another Republican nominee, Curbelo answered, “Oh, certainly.”

He should. But Trump has proven that what he should do and what he’s willing to do depends very much on what’s in it for him.

For the record, I don’t believe Trump is trying to win, either. This entire candidacy is one, tragic work against the American people.

Well played, Clintons. Well played.