For example, I read an article this morning (see: http://www.varight.com/opinion/trump-doesnt-have-to-be-conservative-humble-or-polite-to-fix-america/) a friend posted at her Facebook page that explains his appeal to the writer without boasting about polls, which are nothing but snap shot popularity statistics (as in lies, damned lies, and statistics). No manic mannequin laughter gif or film of carpet bombing opponents into submission is going to persuade any person with a functioning brain to vote for their favorite.
If Trump and his supporters wish to turn his 35-40% of a few hundred to a thousand or so polled supposed Republicans into >50% of the total electorate, or even humble little me, he and they will need to bring more to the table than "Nya, nya, I'm popular and you're not". I think most of us are open to being persuaded but not with schoolyard taunts.
Your point is well taken, but candidates need to win nomination FIRST. 40% in a field of dozen candidates is fantastic. Observing how fast Trump shut down Hillary’s war on women meme, I am not worried about Trump versus Hillary in general.