Despite all his controversial statements….

Despite his combination of arrogance and divisive, often hate-filled, language….

Despite his lack of any defined policy positions….

Despite his warm embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom some might consider an authoritarian leader fomenting violence and war from Eastern Europe to the Middle East as he challenges the US….

Republican candidate Donald Trump is closing the gap on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the race for the US Presidency.

How?

After both candidates addressed a New York forum on Wednesday night on security and veterans’ issues, I offered an explanation to BBC Radio Wales this morning.

Listen to interview

Given the statements where he insulted the parents of a soldier who died in Iraq, I thought he would face a fairly difficult period. But what was amazing about last night was that he didn’t get any questions about that incideent. Instead he was allowed to get away with these remarkable statements praising people like Vladimir Putin….

It doesn’t matter if Trump makes all these controversial statements, as long as he gets the media spotlight and keeps saying, “Crooked Hillary, Crooked Hillary, Crooked Hillary.