Has Trump essentially won the Republican nomination?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Considering the Cruz-Kasich pact appears to have (on Kasich's end) lasted like one day, yes, probably.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

He's improved his position a bit, but he's still basically losing.

How so?

He's still under 50% of total first-ballot delegates, whether you count just pledged or include the unpledged that have also made an endorsement. He cannot exceed 50% on the first number tomorrow, and it's unlikely for him to exceed it on the second. Even if he does, he's on track to do poorly in most of the May primaries (except West Virginia), and have negative momentum going in to California, where he needs to do well.

Momentum hasn't really existed in this cycle.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

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Great. Glad to know you won't be needing 'em in November.

I love how a Hoosier disses 'flyover' states while at the same time talking up West Virginia.

Southern Indiana is more "flyover" than the rest of the state.  Northern Indiana is more industrial (with a few rural pockets), and Central Indiana is more urban.

I'm substantially in agreement with your reading of the state of the Republican race (ironic CRUZ support and unironic hatred for both remaining major candidates notwithstanding), but it's definitely a little unsavory for somebody to be making these 'developmental state'-esque arguments about the primary for what is culturally an exurban-and-rural-interests party, especially considering that exurban and rural ire have been largely what's prevented Trump from being a Northeastern regional or gimmick candidate.