[demshateGod]

Americans are fed up. Couple that with being easily manipulated by media and lacking a systematic political philosophy that should guide them elsewhere, and we have Trump leading.

[AU72]

I told my wife 8 years ago that if we don't reign in illegal immigration now we will eventually elect a hard-ass who deal with it quickly and with no compromise.

[libstripper]

The Donald is rude, crude, and bigger than life. Indeed, he's a stick of dynamite up the collective behinds of the political establishment of both both parties. After the Iranian horror and betrayal of the U.S.and Israel by both parties, he's the cathartic the U.S. needs. Although I've donated $200 to the Walker campaign, I can't see anyone else who even comes close the the Donald at this time and for this crisis.

[central_va]

In a word, “wall”.

[rktman]

....Donald is winning ‘and the gopE is whining’.

[Bon mots]

[Real Cynic No More]

Simple: it’s because he’s his own man, willing to say what he thinks rather than what his handlers have told him what he should say. He’s one of the few who actually thinks for himself.

[MichaelCorleone]

I’m a little surprised that this is even a question at this stage.

Really, anyone who needs an explanation probably wouldn’t understand it anyway. And the reason for that is either they don’t have a grasp on the gravity of the situation, or they don’t love liberty.

[I want the USA back]

Ahead in the polls is not “winning”.
No one is “winning” at this time. The only time when you can talk about winning is the night of the election.

[Awgie]

Trump is a classic leader. He defines the mission, then forges ahead, indifferent, even antagonistic to opposing forces. He blazes trails where none previously existed, and people follow because they trust his sense of importance in the mission.

How ironic, that Donald Trump would potentially be the person who, for better or worse, forever changed the political calculus, kicking open the doors of closed party politics, by injecting an element of pure outsider celebrity popularism into a previously tightly controlled elitist process.

It is similar to physicists, who upon finding an entirely new sub particle, realize that all their previously held theories and equations, suddenly don't work anymore.

[patriot08]

Donald is telling the truth that nobody else has the guts to tell to dumbed down America. He's strong, smart and fearless- and he doet back down or appologise.

[Smokin' Joe]

Trump, ever the businessman, has overshadowed other candidates with effective capture of media time and column inches.

Because he gives populist (and not politically correct) answers to questions, he takes advantage of resonance with a frustrated electorate by dissing the right people at the right time. This gets him more air time, and that IS a limited pie.

Thus, Trump dominates media exposure. As a businessman, Trump understands free advertising, and being the 'talk of the town'.

He builds on an already existent name recognition, and uses the 'pep rally' effect to his full advantage.

While this is all very shrewd, I question whether this alone makes him a better candidate.

It is mainly marketing.

We have had a person in the White House who marketed and 'organized' his way into the forefront, while not saying a lot about the issues. We don't need another blank slate, nor one just filled out with all the right answers in contravention to previous positions on issues.

It is all great fun to watch; I just hope everyone takes the time to sufficiently vet the man instead of getting caught up in the fervor and the showmanship.

This time we really need to get it right.