Who are the Trump supporters who cannot see him as an arrogant liar and cheat?  That third of the electorate that supports Trump unconditionally is delusional in so many ways. 

 

Here is their baseline: Anywhere from a half to two-thirds of Republicans nationwide do not believe in evolution.  Fewer than half of all Republicans nationwide believe there is evidence of global climate change.  In a Autonomous/YouGov poll 47% of Republicans believe it is definitely or probably true that Democratic leaders are involved in elite sex trafficking rings. In a CNN poll from January fully 33% of Republicans who support Trump agreed that Trump was “too extreme,” but supported him anyway. 

 

An honest Trump supporter would admit that the privilege white Americans have enjoyed since forever has not been undermined by Democrats, liberals or the left.  The destruction of the economy of the midwest can be laid at the feet of capitalism, of course.  Once capitalism no longer has any use for you (except to suppress the value of labor) then you’re dispatched to the ash heap of history.  Used to be that you would work with your hands and your back and make a good living, but those days are long gone.  If you are not qualified and prepared to work with your brain there are few high wage jobs for you.

 

The first rule of politics (there are several first rules of politics, of course) is that sometimes you can win them over, but even if not you still need to win.  Our margin of victory will come from irregular voters, not from changing the minds of the most ignorant among us.  If you are untethered to reality, barely suppressing your rage at Black and brown Americans and you have profound grievances with the world you live in there is at least one place you will be welcome — Trump’s base.