Events in both the Republican and Democratic presidential races have outstripped the ability of political strategists and journalists to understand them. Faced with the continued dominance of Donald Trump and the undeniable strength of Bernie Sanders, many in the political commentariat have tried to stuff a series of baffling events into familiar interpretive constructs. It’s not working.

It’s probably fair to say that every — not most, every — Republican strategist in Washington believes Trump will fade, or perhaps blow up, or in any event will not be the GOP nominee. Everything in their experience tells them he won’t last. Which has led to the extraordinary scenario of a frontrunner being asked repeatedly under what circumstances would he drop out of the race.