Indeed you are correct!
Mark Levin, Glenn Beck and other opinion providers don’t get it.
Conservative? Liberal? Populist? That’s not the determining factor for most people. And to respond with “well they should” is irrelevant. Reality is what it is.
At its essence, people vote for people they LIKE.
Was McCain more politically palatable than Obama? YES!
Did he win? NO!
Why?
People liked Obama more than McCain.
Same thing with Romney. People liked Obama more.
Who is more likeable, Cruz or Trump? Trump.
Who is more likeable, Trump or Hillary? Trump.
Trump wins.
I agree .. also many people are influenced by who looks presidential behind a podium ..I think shorter people are at a disadvantage