Donald Trump is on his way to the Republican nomination. He finished a strong second in Iowa and won landslide victories in the next three states, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. There is no sign that his untroubled progress to the nominating convention in Cleveland will be upset by any of those splitting the field behind him.

For real conservatives, the reality of Trump’s ascendency is painful. But it has to be acknowledged. The primary season is already wasting, and although the brash billionaire still does not get majority support, it is clear that if things remain as they are, he won’t have to.