Is this real? The CPAC rant...

The Conservative Political Action Committee has become an event of consequence in these strange days.  There have been various parts of Trump's CPAC speech watched and the question that comes to mind is, "Is this really happening?"  Did the President of the United States really come out on stage and wrap his arms around the American flag, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.  My first thought was Groucho Marx.  All Trump needed was a stogie in one hand as he nodded his head up and down.

The two hour rant has been covered by everyone so no need to get into that sweaty mental breakdown that was visible to all.  Every personal slight felt over two years was reviewed.  Every falsehood repeated.  Yet, apparently 46% of polled voters probably liked it, maybe felt vindicated in some way.  How to understand it?  Resentment is unleashed?  Evangelical righteousness is rewarded?  The elites will be sent to the woodshed by some sort of virtuous billionaire, tax cheat, on and on it could go, But it does not matter in the least.

That 46% is from the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll of voters.  That's an approval rating that is close to a high for Trump and 5% higher than it was the week before the election in 2016.  Issues are not the issue.  It is deeper than that.

Many may think that this is containable, just routine politics roiled by an unpredictable character.  This is not routine.