Possible Clues:

• Finding late love is a non-starter
• Unsuccessful person or thing
• Old man admitting fifth-rate dodge is a non-starter
• Moribund mallard as failure
• Useless thing or person
• Completely put under water, it has no chance of success
• Individually do something with no chance of success
• Hopeless plan to take late dip
• Goner (no longer quacking?)
• Has no chance of success as not working with Donald