The reason that Trump is doing so well with Republican "moderates" is simple

[YoungDemCA]

These so-called "moderates" tend to hold a mixture of heterodox/populist positions that don't align with Establishment/Beltway Republican orthodoxy. Otherwise, they can easily be more extreme (as we have seen) on issues like immigration, gun rights, opposing the very presence of Muslims in the U.S., and so on and so forth. Hence, why Trump is doing so well with them.

Just my $0.02.

[Zambero]

1. The term "GOP moderate" has severely mutated itself

Beyond recognition. Let's see: There was Margaret Chase Smith, Arlen Specter, Jacob Javits, Mark Hatfield, John Chafee, Christine Todd Whitman, Nelson Rockefeller, among others who were NOT racists, religious bigots, or xenophobic. Now one can claim that label and and be as extreme as one might wish, as long as you're "Maverick" enough in the process.

[KentuckyWoman]

2. Moderates would never back Trump.

Besides which the Democratic Party has most of the actual moderates now... or they've just refused to declare party.


On edit ... "all moderates" was too strong and I updated to reflect my meaning.

[0rganism]

3. it's even simpler than that

the Trump supporters are the racist contingency, voters who left the Democrats in the '50s and '60s, and were swept up into the Republican party through Nixon's "Southern Strategy". they hold moderate views on fiscal issues, believe government still has a role to play in bettering their lives, and resent having their votes taken for granted by the establishment interests (banksters and industrialists) for 5 decades.

every day since Jan. 20 2009, they've woken up with a black president, and that really pisses them off.

which candidate had the "courage" to call out president Obama as illegitimate? not just the tired tea party line that he was doing unconstitutional things, but that he was actually unqualified by birth to be the president? Trump.

which candidate promises to support the metaphorical walls they already build in their minds and souls with a real border wall? Trump.

which candidate sends up the dog whistles for reverting to segregationist policies? Trump.

and that's who they support now.

[Jim Beard]

10. I agree, I have two sisters that way.

[safeinOhio]

4. I've been thinking that it is a rural tribalism taking over.

If you live out side of the city, most likely your friends and neighbors watch FOX, go to a power hungry church or have no education. You almost have to join the mob to live in the area.

[Katashi_itto]

11. I have to agree with this. Step back for a sec and consider if Ammon Bundy

is not an exception but is the norm out there...

[Jim Beard]

12. The church or the schools have been the centers of activity in small towns.

[Arazi]

5. You really need to read this article

its very informative

http://yonside.com/why-is-trump-winning/

[daleo]

6. I agree - I think his appeal is complicated

Take his position on immigration:

- it appeals to flat-out racists.
- it appeals to nativists, who aren't necessarily racist, but don't want foreigners of any sort.
- it appeals to people who are not necessarily racist, but see immigrants as competitors for jobs.

It's hard to say how the proportions of those three groups break down, but I think it is a mistake to simply dismiss this phenomenon as racism.

His appeal goes to other things as well. Many see him as anti-establishment, a counter to the global capitalism consensus of the establishment elite. To me, he is a sign of that breakdown in support for that consensus. The fact that the Republican establishment is attacking him, just reinforces that belief for his supporters. I can't see him as actually being much of a threat to the establishment, though.

[Wounded Bear]

7. I won't dispute your points...

I admit they have a certain validity.

I always find it funny (funny-strange, not funny-haha) how people who don't like the "establishment" would think a billionaire, celebrity, reality show host, would be a break from that establishment.

Hey, rich assholes suck! Let's elect one of them president! What could go wrong?

[flamingdem]

9. He's entertaining and they are resigned to be observers nt

[flamingdem]

8. ^this + his entertainment value

He's famous, wealthy, and can give good insult.

[tblue37]

13. He also appeals to starstruck celebrity worshippers of the sort who

voted for Arnold, even those who would normally vote Dem.

And above all, his Mussolini like bluster appeals to authoritarian followers who are always looking for a strongman to serve under.

Basically, people are more like other primates than not, and they react on instinct rather than thought in most cases.

Just as the biggest, loudest chest-thumping silverback runs the show in the jungle, the biggest, loudest, chest-thumping politician attracts the allegiance of those who cannot get past their instinctive tendency to submit to the alpha male chimpanzee or gorilla.

Threat displays are a major dominance ploy among our primate cousins, and Trump is all about threat displays.

[Yavin4]

14. Republican moderates became Democrats years ago

They all left the Republican party. That's why states like CA, NY, and NJ have gone solid blue in presidential elections since 1992. These use to be swing states. On a state level, the moderates are still there and can on occasion when a governorship (see George Pataki).

[Wounded Bear]

15. I don't buy it....

Moderate Repubs may have left the party, but most try to claim they are independents. Then, when push comes to shove, they end up voting Repub anyway. I believe that true independents probably vote Dem from time to time, but too many are enamored of the lazy, BS meme that 'both parties are the same' and will often vote R if they can find the slimmest excuse to do so. If not, they will vote 3rd party, which tends to help Repubs more than Dems, especially in the general.