DONALD TRUMP'S TRANSFORMATIVE POWERS.

• Position: SMOKING GUN

How does one go from being widely recognized as a dangerous fraud who is unfit to hold office to a celebrated incumbent who deserves four more years? Donald Trump's secret sauce in winning over other Republicans, apparently, is his record of lawlessness, raging self-interest, and gross incompetence, which have led to racial turmoil, 200,000 Americans killed by COVID-19, and the worst economy since the Great Depression. Hmm, any chance The Donald's critics got it right the first time?

NIKKI HALEY (former governor of South Carolina, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations)

Then: "I have to tell you, Donald Trump is everything I taught my children not to do in kindergarten. I taught my two little ones, you don't lie and make things up." Now (from coverage in The New York Times of her convention speech): "Though she had once distanced herself from Mr. Trump, Ms. Haley has become a fierce defender of him in recent months."

LINDSEY GRAHAM (US Senator from South Carolina) Then: "He's a race-baiting xenophobic bigot." Also: "I think he's a kook. I think he's crazy. I think he's unfit for office." Now (from an op-ed for Fox News): "I will be voting for Donald Trump in 2020. He has earned my vote, and I think he's earned yours, too."

RAND PAUL (U.S. Senator from Kentucky)

Then: "Donald Trump is a delusional narcissist and an orange-faced windbag. A speck of dirt is way more qualified to be President."

Now (from his convention speech): "I'm proud of the job Donald Trump has done as President."

SCOTT WALKER (former governor of Wisconsin)

Then: He dropped out of the 2016 presidential race to help "clear the field... so a positive, conservative message can rise to the top."...