Despite media hysteria and a daily influx of polls, a persistent conversation has emerged about the huge, hidden population of Americans who could suddenly step forward and vote for Donald Trump. It is a powerful, unknown factor with much potential — and one which makes Democratic strategists plenty nervous.

There are no standard ways of measuring this demographic. They could be evangelicals, dispossessed working-class folk, or disenchanted fans of Sen. Bernie Sanders and third party candidates. They could be small business owners, doubting Democrats, active-duty military, veterans, bikers, patriots, law enforcement personnel, seniors who remember another America, or impoverished millennials. Second Amendment fans and pro-lifers are certainly part of the hidden vote. No one knows the precise demographics, though there will be insight in future exit polls.

All of them, however, found something to like in Mr. Trump, and their motivation is paramount. National polls have consistently revealed that Trump voters are more passionate and engaged than those who favor Hillary Clinton.

SEE ALSO: Scandals, ‘politicization’ of FBI date back to Hillary Clinton’s tenure as first lady

“I still think Trump may win the election. The polls are very weird. We’ve seen how off they were with Brexit and the last UK general election. A hidden Trump vote is not unimaginable at all,” writes Powerline analyst Steven Hayward.

He points to a recent rousing speech made by Michael Moore before a live audience. The renegade filmmaker appears appreciative of Mr. Trump’s outsider status and plainspoken pitch, and that he is hated by the press and corporate America. A grinning and f-bombing Mr. Moore relished making this prediction about election day:

“Joe Blow, Steve Blow, Bob Blow, Billy Blow, Billy Bob Blow — all the Blows will get to blow up the whole [expletive] system because it’s their right. Trump’s election is going to be the biggest [f — k] you in human history and it will feel good,” Mr. Moore told his audience.

SEE ALSO: Hillary, Michelle put bad blood behind them, team up to bash Trump

“I think there’s a hidden Donald Trump vote,” confirmed former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, to CBS talk radio affiliate WPHT in Philadelphia.

The hidden population is out there, and the candidate knows it. Mr. Trump now vows to reach “every single undecided voter across the country.”

A CALL TO ARMS

Senior conservative leaders this week urged their respective flocks to vote for Donald Trump rather than sit out the election in a disappointed funk. Now the Second Amendment folks have issued their warning, after 17 gun control groups endorsed Hillary Clinton earlier this week.

“Clinton has already been caught on audio stating that she thinks the Supreme Court is wrong on the Second Amendment. Now she is basking in the warm glow of the gun grabbers. Her campaign is signaling to American gun owners that if she wins the White House, their rights are going to be trampled,” says Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a nonprofit group based in Washington state with 650,000 members.

“The time for division within the ranks of firearms owners is past,” he continued. “Gun owners need to vote, not just in the presidential race, but also to determine majorities in the House and Senate.”

WEEKEND CANDIDATE TRACKER

We are not down to the wire yet, but we’re getting close. Since Monday, Donald Trump has been in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and New Hampshire. This weekend is on to Maine and Iowa for the candidate’s signature jumbo rallies that pack armories and convention centers, with waiting lines which stretch for blocks. Running mate Gov. Mike Pence will be in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Rival Hillary Clinton’s campaign is busy indeed. The candidate herself appears at two events in Iowa, plus one in Florida with President Obama. Then step aside for the surrogates, who will host 14 events in six states through Sunday. Here’s the cast: Bill Clinton will be in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Vice President Joseph R. Biden in Nevada. Chelsea Clinton will be in Michigan, and running mate Sen. Tim Kaine in Florida and Michigan. The pop chanteuses are busy too. Cher will host an event in Chicago, Jennifer Lopez in Miami.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Fox News has a Saturday night broadcast of note: “America’s Election HQ — How We Fight” is an extensive look at the American military, emerging threats and the rules of engagement — which have gotten mighty complicated for troops these days.

Anchored by Bret Baier, the one-hour special features exclusive interviews with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, former Defense Secretaries Robert Gates and Leon Panetta, the Iraq surge architect David Petraeus, retired Army Gen. Carter Ham, Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, former CIA Director Jim Woolsey, and Dennis B. Ross, who served as senior Middle East adviser to Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and BarackObama.

News we can all use, perhaps. The program airs at 8 p.m. EDT.

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: Mayhurst, Italianate manor built by President James Madison’s great nephew in 1859 on 37 acres near Orange, Virginia. Eight bedrooms, nine baths, 9,200-square-feet; original woodworking and floors, multiple fireplaces, spiral staircase from basement to third floor. Impeccably restored and updated; current active bed-and-breakfast. Rooftop cupola, balcony, circular and arched windows, multiple outbuildings, gazebo, brick walkways and patios, serene landscaping, historic trees. Priced at $1.7 million through WileyProperty.com; find Mayhurst here.

POLL DU JOUR

• 61 percent of registered U.S. voters say “most members of Congress” don’t deserve to be re-elected; 56 percent of Republicans, 68 percent of independents and 58 percent of Democrats agree.

• 29 percent overall think most members of Congress deserve re-election; 32 percent of Republicans, 21 percent of independents and 34 percent of Democrats agree.

• 44 percent overall say the U.S. representative in their district deserves re-election; 47 percent of Republicans, 39 percent of independents and 48 percent of Democrats agree.

• 49 percent of voters overall would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district if the election were today; 3 percent of Republicans, 44 percent of independents and 92 percent of Democrats agree.

• 47 percent would vote for the Republican candidate; 96 percent of Republicans, 48 percent of independents and 5 percent of Democrats agree.

Source: A CNN/ORC poll of 916 registered U.S. voters conducted Oct. 20-23.

• Doggerel and caterwaul to jharper@washingtontimes.com.