The economy isn’t everything. But in politics, it’s a lot. And Trump has a record that should attract broader support than he is receiving.

That’s because Trump has turned American politics into a soap opera starring himself. His management of the national government has been chaotic. His Twitter tantrums roil American politics, inflaming supporters and opponents alike.

His base likes this and thinks it’s necessary given liberal bias in the media and the intemperate attacks regularly directed at Trump. And that is not a view without some foundation.

But the soap opera alienates a lot of voters to whom Trump has a case to make, if he can get them to listen.