Carson loses his hold on Iowaâ€™s conservatives

While Carson and Trump bask in the spotlight, Cruz is gathering an army of volunteers, laying down the ground game and gathering the money to run an impressive campaign that can go deep into the primary season.

Absolutely on Cruz. But don't assume that Trump or even Carson are simply basking in the spotlight. Trump has been getting his ground game together. Carson has had volunteers in a number of southern states for a long time. Both have money.

Santorum had plenty of defined positions and a well-established history

Santorum didn't campaign on any "well defined positions." He campaigned by standing in front of a banner that read "Courageous," talking about how courageous he was, and then badmouthing his competitors. Santorum's Issues page on his website had Pornography on the top of the list for most of the election cycle.

The idea that Santorum had an Issues Orientated campaign is silly. He had a social conservative campaign, maybe, he had a prayer campaign, maybe, he had a sweater vest campaign, maybe, but he was shallow and spent most of his time making his religious appeal. Hence he was Saint Rick, and not regular Rick trying to win an election.

I was especially pissed at Santorum in the way he tore down fellow competitors, even after promising he wouldn't. He spent more time tearing down other people's ideas than he did talking about his own.

Santorum was a train wreck. He never had a chance. He should never have been given that chance, especially after Arlen Specter and his right to work votes.

I said Santorum had well-defined positions. Finding them was as simple as going to his website. He also had a well-established voting record. Not perfect, but certainly better than most of his competititors. Because I don't watch television, I didn't view his campaign as a member of the general public might, so I will have to take your word for it that he didn't run on issues. They were there for those who cared to look.

It is hard to run a campaign from his position, just as it was for Jindal, who had some bad moments striking out at other candidates (mainly Trump).

Given the 2012 field, you're pretty hard on a man who has been a pretty solid conservative from a state not known for such. I HOPE that this time around we have learned NOT To eat our own. Last time, Romney was the enemy, and I found myself swinging from Cain, to Perry, to Gingrich, to Santorum (I voted in the late Wisconsin primary, and Santorum was last man standing) all in an effort to stop Romney.

I THINK this time most of us have learned our lesson, and will stop straining at gnats to destroy people who are NOT GOP-E.

I am a Cruz supporter who can understand how people can support Trump, Carson or Cruz. For me, the deal breaker is pro-life, and anyone who doesn't have that as a core issue must understand that it is make or break for a LARGE part of the base, just as 2nd Amendment rights are.

I have tried to call them as I see them, perhaps commenting on other candidates' positions but mainly going after John Ellis Bush. I encourage you and other Freepers to do likewise. Even after John Ellis Bush is out, we can air our differences without creating enmities among our allies for the General Election.

I said Santorum had well-defined positions. Finding them was as simple as going to his website.

Not even his website was worth anything. I remember going to Santorum's website, and reading his issues page which consisted of how bad Porno is, some stuff about families, some vague statements about some random issue, a complaint about video game violence or something along those lines. I remember clicking one link on his issues page expecting some details about one of his plans, only to find one or two lines from Santorum expressing his general support for some vague topic.

Santorum was never running an ideas campaign, not even digitally.

As for not eating our own: you should have told that to Santorum, one of the nastier pieces of work I've ever seen!

“Cruz and Carson are running a campaign just trying to reach out to this one narrow group. Outside of places like Iowa, it wonâ€™t play well.”

Actually, Cruz is reaching out to 3 of the 4 major GOP constituencies; Evangelicals, Tea Party Conservatives and Libertarians, and doing quite well with each group. He is very well-funded and well-organized in all the early states. He has written off the moderate/establishment wing, and is not making a big play for the more moderate New Hampshire.

Bottom line though is he is doing far more than appealing to one narrow group. Anyone that says otherwise is simply not paying attention.

Trump wants to start a government welfare program to help collage students with their collage tuition.

Isn’t that what Rand Paul advocated early summer ?

CONSERVATISM : Make govern!ment smaller, not grow government.

No matter how you look at it, it’s still socialism.

GOVERMENT WELFARE DOES NOT GROW JOBS.

The Trump supporters are trowing off any pretense.

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