Donald Trump is on an electoral roll.
After sweeping to victory in New Hampshire, the bellicose billionaire steamrolled into South Carolina and as we noted on Saturday, served notice that “this is no longer a matter of whether he can make a serious run at the presidency, it’s now a matter of whether Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio can mount a serious challenge.”
The GOP establishment, having watched Jeb Bush’s campaign crash and burn despite an impassioned plea to voters from his brother, is now left to ponder the unthinkable: Donald Trump might well win the Republican nomination.
As for voters, Trump’s long list of incredibly inflammatory soundbites have had no effect on the electorate’s willingness to support his candidacy. In fact, nearly three quarters now say they could see themselves supporting Trump, a complete reversal from where things stood at this time last year.
For his part, Trump is rubbing it in, as evidenced by this hilarious tweet that came on the heels of his big win in the Palmetto state:
"@mikeliberation: This is the best reaction shot I've ever seen lol #Trump2016" pic.twitter.com/jqxI7QoxEY
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2016
Now, heading into a bevy of primaries set to play out across the country, it appears as though everyone else is “playing for second,” to quote Nevada political analyst Jon Ralston.
In Nevada for instance, Trump holds an astounding 26 point lead, polling at 45%.
Meanwhile, in Illinois, a recent poll by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute shows Trump ahead by 13 points, and an Elon University poll says he’s surged to a 9 point lead in North Carolina. He's also ahead in Michigan and Massachusetts. At the risk of following Trump down the raunchy rhetoric rabbit hole, Cruz, Rubio, and everyone else are getting “schlonged.”
Thank you Vermont! #VoteTrumpVT https://t.co/8KGOpqDb9t
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
Thank you Michigan! #VoteTrumpMITrump 35%Kasich 17%Cruz 12%Rubio 12%Carson 9% Via: ARG
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
Great poll! Thank you North Carolina! #VoteTrumpNC on 3/15!Trump 36%Cruz 18%Rubio 18%Carson 10%Kasich 7%Via @SurveyUSA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
WOW! Thank you Massachusetts! See you soon. #VoteTrumpMAhttps://t.co/mNbDUPrEeh
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
Thank you Illinois! Great news! #VoteTrumpIL on 3/15!Trump 28%Cruz 15%Rubio 14%Kasich 13%Bush 8%Carson 6%Simon Poll/SIU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is a rout. Plain and simple.
Given all of the above, this seemed like an opportune time to bring you the following set of pictures that vividly demonstrate the extent to which the Teflon Don has secured an almost religious following among some American voters.
Making America great again one convert at a time.
* * *
And because we'd be remiss...