First, this has nothing to do with the party, other than the GOP allows anyone who wants to run to do so and the polls target those who self identify as "leaning Republican".
Second, I've been trying to figure out what is driving the Trump phenomenon and read a quick
analysis this morning from O'Reilly that I can buy into:
“
It is quite apparent that many voters are furious with craven, cowardly politicians who don’t even try to solve problems or even stand up against injustice,” O’Reilly said. “That’s why Trump has stolen the show so far.”
The cable news host went on to say that Trump’s “slash and burn style” is appealing to voters who have had enough with a political system that is “essentially cowardly and dishonest.”
“Trump hammers the establishment on the border chaos, the lack of respect for America overseas and the often disgraceful treatment of wounded vets,” O’Reilly pointed out. “At this point, it really doesn’t matter whether Trump has specific solutions to vexing problems. It is enough for millions of voters that he is calling out the charlatans.”
But what is interesting is what the polls say. A CNN poll this morning shows Trump with huge margins (~40% differentials) on specific issues like the economy, ISIS, and immigration. But 58% of those same respondents opine that Trump is less electable than other GOP candidates. That tells me that they like what Trump says but that "like" might not translate into a vote.
