What’s far too little understood is that Trump’s approach has not only won him support among Republicans, but positions him well to compete for the critical independents and swing voters who will decide the general election.

For these voters, whose thinking and voting habits I’ve studied throughout my career in polling, Trump combines uniquely forthright political communication skills and an issue focus that directly addresses many of their deepest concerns, while embodying the anger and desire for change that resonates especially strongly with independents.

But if Trump deviates too far from what has worked for him to this point, he sets himself up for a potential fall should he get to the general election.

Though many analysts point out that Sen. Marco Rubio runs best against Hillary Clinton, the RealClearPolitics polling average shows Trump within striking distance of her as well. A CNN-ORC poll conducted just before Christmas showed Clinton leading Trump by only two points in a general-election matchup.