In cards, you usually can’t hope for a much better hand than pocket aces. Despite a minor speed bump in the form of the Iowa caucus, it would appear after his big win in New Hampshire, those are just the cards that Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE is holding. For some time now he has unabashedly defied the odds of conventional politics, throwing conventional practices and political etiquette to the side in favor of his own take on the political process. Much to the surprise of most, while his time in the political arena has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, his approach has consistently been met with positive results. These results were on display in his massive win in New Hampshire Tuesday night, a state which has predicted 14 of the past 17 GOP nominees.

Since the initial GOP debate in Cleveland, one in which Fox News brought in record ratings, Trump has known he was the Republican Party’s main attraction. Over the course of the past few months, he has leveraged his position as a ratings draw to increase television appearances, remain relevant and steadily rise in virtually every poll. Throughout that time, Trump has continued to test his power in everything he has done, answering only to one person — Donald Trump.

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He has defied the media pundits and all traditional thinking, and gone about the political process how he saw fit. In doing that, he has made a decision or three that most would disagree with and some wouldn't have been able to come back from. Yet here Trump is a second place finisher in Iowa and the winner in New Hampshire, over doubling second place finisher John Kasich. Now, Trump moves on to South Carolina and Nevada, two states where he has significant double digit leads. Ultimately how the remaining primaries will play out is unknown, but what is certain is that however Trump finishes, he will do it in his own style.

It was that “style” which led him to skip the Republican debate right before the Iowa caucus - something practically unheard of in the political landscape. That was a decision that probably cost him the win in Iowa and one that Trump would ultimately admit he got wrong. As of late, he has increasingly been willing to admit he hasn't gotten everything right, and is still learning as he goes. Admitting error is something he was previously averse to - which is what should scare the establishment Republicans. Why? Because it shows Trump is growing as a candidate, and yes, as a politician.

With these slight changes, Trump has become more electable. He has managed to become more polished and more refined while still maintaining the attitude so many voters have been getting behind. He projects as a defiant, no-nonsense leader who answers to no one, and his tough demeanor where he won’t give an inch is what has worked for him. It is a breath of fresh air to American’s who are tired of an Obama administration so willing to concede. Under President Obama, most Republicans feel we are operating an apologetic country. But regardless of whether Trump is right or wrong, he is absolutely unapologetic, and that certainly won’t change.

America loves a winner, and throughout the entire campaign process Trump has talked about how America just doesn't win anymore. He has talked about how he has, in the past, had no trouble getting things done, making tough decisions, and being a winner himself. However, after the results in Iowa, that image Trump spent so much time promoting was in deep danger of being irrevocably tarnished. But now Trump has returned to stand back on top of the mountain, a winner once again. Only time will ultimately tell, but it appears “The Donald” has in fact been holding those pocket aces all along.

Berryhill is a recent graduate of West Virginia University currently working for the federal government in Washington D.C.