Cruz still only at 7%. That’s troubling as he was brilliant in the debate. I would have lined it up Trump, Cruz then Rubio a distant third.
Cruz has not shown any ability to attract support outside of a narrow, ideological base. And with an electorate clearly looking for a non-establishment candidate, capable of taking on the establishment, this becomes self-reinforcing. Even people who support everything about him, look elsewhere because he hasn’t demonstrated that he can create a broad base of support.
This is why people saying that “Cruz won” the debate were probably incorrect (although we won’t know for certain for a couple of weeks). He didn’t really do anything to change the perception that he can’t attract widespread support. His debate was memorable, and brilliant. But it didn’t (at least, it probably didn’t) give him what he needed, and so he cannot be considered the winner.
The big winner in the debate was probably Trump, since he maintained his position of dominance. I suspect the biggest loser (outside of Kasich and Bush), will be Carson. He has wide, but shallow support, and on a night of memorable performances, his was forgettable. I suspect Cruz and Trump will leech votes from him, as will Rubio, who got another victory in the debate due to the implosion of Bush. I expect him to get a decent sized bump, adding Bush voters, and some Carson voters, as well. Outside of them, it was probably a push for the non-contenders, as well as Fiorina and Cruz.
After the debate he made a smart ass tweet about Tom Brady “deflating” footballs. Maybe that’s why no one takes him serious.
“Cruz still only at 7%.”
I think his numbers will go up. However I think this why Trump needs to be in the President nominee because of his wide support and why Cruz needs to be the Vice President nominee. Then in 8 years Cruz will be President.
This isn’t going to sit well with some people, but it is reality > IMO.
What was Cruz’s biggest moment? Can we agree it was taking the moderators on?
He did a good job of it.
By doing so, he emulated someone.
By doing so, he acknowledged a sort of recognition of who the real leader was, and adopted his tactics.
I recognize the man behind Cruz’s comments.
That man opened up a whole brave new world for Republicans.
Because of that man, the CNBC moderators were skewered by the media at large.
Lest we forget...
I wouldn’t trust the polls at all.
Trump is pulling in huge crowds at his rally’s and I suspect that Cruz has much more support than the polls show.
At this point they are just push polls.
I would have lined it up Trump, Cruz then Rubio a distant third.
If you could transfer Cruz's intellect, character and message into Rubio's body he would be leading the pack. Sad commentary I know but true.