While Democrats are playing chess, Trump is in a corner, angrily trying to pound a square peg into a round hole.

A large number of Republicans are beginning to see that, and feel that the race for the White House is all but over for the GOP nominee.

Trump defiantly flaunts his ignorance, as he declares the world belongs to the arrogant and otherwise useless. It’s a game to him. He’s rich, anyway. He won’t be hurt by this, and the common people who supported him will quickly fall off of his radar, once he’s back to his life of penthouses, limos, and plastic trophy wives.

Politico’s survey of members of the POLITICO Caucus, which is made up of activists, strategists, and operatives from 11 different swing states are split, almost evenly, in the opinion of if Trump can reach the needed 270 electoral college votes in the general election.

Trump is trailing in virtually every major poll and couldn’t care less.

“While it’s true that previous candidates have come back from greater deficits to win, it won’t happen in 2016. The electorate is far more base-driven, with fewer persuadables,” said an Iowa Republican. “Trump is underperforming so comprehensively across states and demographics it would take video evidence of a smiling Hillary drowning a litter of puppies while terrorists surrounded her with chants of ‘Death to America!’ But in 2016, stranger things have happened.”

“Trump has failed to demonstrate he has a plan and path to 270” electoral votes, added a Wisconsin Republican. “Considering the disadvantage a GOP candidate starts with, the work in key targeted states like Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania has to be error-free. There is no evidence that Trump has done that or that he has much of a ground game to begin with.”

The evidence isn’t there because it doesn’t exist. The entire Trump candidacy is based on the spectacle and the oddity of a man completely unqualified and clownish becoming the top of a mainstream political party.

When asked if they think the race for the 270 electoral college votes is effectively over, 49% of those Republicans polled said “yes,” while 51% said “no.”

I would say those 51% are desperately hoping for the aforementioned scenario of Hillary and the drowned puppies to emerge, but from what recent history has shown us, even if that did happen, Trump would immediately go on live TV and punch a baby in the face.

“We are in a great place,” added a Florida Democrat, “but nothing is over 89 days out, particularly with Clinton’s trust issues.”

Democrats pointed to a number of events that could alter the race: the three scheduled debates, beginning in late September, and also the possibility of further electronic breaches of Democratic National Committee communications or other party officials’ email accounts.

I don’t know what any further hacks could show that would turn this race in the favor of Republicans, but whatever happens, it’s obvious that Democrats are taking this race far more seriously and professionally than Trump.