Donald J. Trump’s dominant performance on Tuesday erased all doubt — if any remained — that he is in a strong position to be the Republican presidential nominee, a prospect that less than a year ago seemed inconceivable.

The political world has gone through stages of disbelief about his candidacy since he announced it last June: dismissing it at first, then acknowledging his strength and finally accepting that he could win the nomination.

As political reporters, we have come to realize the power and tenacity of Mr. Trump’s campaign at a different pace, and some of us can pinpoint the moment it all came into focus. These are some of our recollections:

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It was Nov. 7, 2015. I was at a Thai restaurant in Chelsea with my wife, who is a political reporter, and two friends. I was alone in predicting that someone other than Mr. Trump would end up as the nominee. These weren’t casual news consumers: They were among the smartest and the most politically perceptive people I know. As I argued for another candidate’s chances, I found my own case less and less convincing. A Trump nomination still seemed far-fetched, but doubt sank in: Was I the one missing the bigger picture of 2016? — Alexander Burns

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I first saw Mr. Trump in person last summer in Iowa, when he questioned Senator John McCain’s status as a war hero. At that point, I thought he was finished. I interviewed him a couple of times on the telephone, and while I was impressed by his enthusiasm, I still thought a more traditional candidate would eventually emerge. It was not until I attended one of his raucous rallies in Iowa in early January that I believed he was for real. While many people continued to underestimate him, Mr. Trump’s supporters were incredibly passionate about their candidate. — Alan Rappeport