Has anyone without ties to the Washington bullshit ever caught the attention of Americans like Donald Trump has?

Yes, but only a few ever made anything of it. Ross Perot took over 19% of the vote in the general election, many blame that for Bill Clinton defeating George H.W. Bush. I personally do not, I voted for Perot because Bush proved that he was a liar, and I knew that Clinton was one also. Ralph Nader made a lesser show of it, but he definitely shook things up and changed the outcome also.

If the mainstream parties want us to trust them, then they should stop playing the blame game and actually do their job, which is represent the people. Political office was not meant to be a profession in the US it was meant to be a civic duty.

Lee Iacocca also drew a following of people who wanted him to run, he refused the notion of even running let alone being nominated, he didn't want to get into the cesspool of politics.

Its funny how many people still follow the LIE'S Washington has Brain Washed them with! It's like religion!