Donald Trump’s dominant victory in New Hampshire takes us across the threshold. Until Tuesday, he had not won a single contest. Until Tuesday, pundits and operatives could hold onto their hope that Trump’s high poll numbers won’t translate into votes.
Now Donald Trump just won the state that propelled John McCain and Mitt Romney towards the nomination in 2008 and 2012. He leads in every state poll going forward, and he hasn’t even had to try very hard to get here.
Even better for Trump, New Hampshire didn’t winnow down the Establishment lane very much. Only Chris Christie is likely to drop out. Kasich, Bush, and Rubio all lay equal claim to being the elites’ candidate. Prolonged confusion means Trump could win while never breaking 35 percent.
