Posted on 11/30/2015 11:58:56 AM PST by Isara
At the average Thanksgiving table in Iowa last week, one of the subjects on many minds was the upcoming caucus. With the onslaught of presidential candidates and advocacy groups blanketing the state with mail-pieces, phone calls and Pizza Ranch appearances, it is almost impossible to avoid politics this holiday season.
While conversations about Donald Trump will continue to dominate for the foreseeable future, the campaign of Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is laying the foundation for a victory on February 1st. With an impressive campaign infrastructure, a receptive conservative electorate and other candidates from the conservative wing of the party faltering, Senator Cruz has tied frontrunner Donald Trump and will see his support grow as the caucus grows nearer.
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Today, I endorsed Ted Cruz for president. Of the excellent candidates, Cruz is most likely to refurbish the Pillars of Am Exceptionalism. — Steve King (@SteveKingIA) November 16, 2015 |
While Cruz has always invested significant time in Iowa, he’s sparked greater interest since the endorsement of Congressman Steve King, the only member of Iowa's congressional delegation who has endorsed thus far. King's endorsement is a game changer as one of the most conservative elected officials in the state. Prior to King's endorsement, Cruz won over at most 15 percent of likely Republican caucus goers; however, after the endorsement, Cruz has won 21 percent and 23 percent of Republicans in two new polls.
Although the full impact of King's endorsement is not yet known, the Cruz "surge" in the state will likely continue to increase his standing in the future.
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CBS News Battleground Tracker in Iowa: Trump 30%, Cruz 21%, Carson 19%, Rubio 11%, Bush 5%, margin of error 6.2 pts, via @mikeallen. — Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) November 22, 2015 |
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Could Ted Cruz's week in Iowa be going any better? First Steve King endorsement, now Jindal drops out #iacaucus — Samuel Lau (@SamuelRLau) November 17, 2015 |
Cruz has endeared himself to Iowa's conservatives by demonstrating his consistent policy stances combined with his appearances in small communities across Iowa. Even before the King endorsement, Cruz was always a favorite of Iowa conservatives and tea-party voters because of his desire to return more power to the states and reduce government spending.
In a strong demonstration of his support among Iowa's evangelical conservative voters, Cruz announced endorsements from pastors across Iowa in his 99 Pastors initiative. Cruz's devoted following is able to easily volunteer for him using the Cruz Crew app, where his fans earn points for identifying other supporters, donating, and helping his campaign to achieve their outreach goals in the state. Through his already strong Iowa infrastructure, Cruz will be able to capitalize off of his strong debate performances and recent endorsements.
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#CruzCrew: we need your help in Iowa! Join our Strike Force to deploy to Iowa in December or January! Sign up here: https://t.co/xPfQD696Xo — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 17, 2015 |
Much of Cruz's support seems to stem from the fall of Ben Carson, due to a greater focus on foreign policy and terrorism after the Paris attacks, an area where Carson is far less experienced. Cruz has demonstrated his strong commitment to Israel, opposition to the Iran deal, and his commitment to defeating ISIS. Cruz is one of the most trusted candidates in the field on foreign policy, with 24 percent of all likely caucus-goers believing that he is the most qualified candidate, with 43 percent of Tea Party members and 37 percent of Very Conservative voters agreeing.
While many analysts have considered Cruz the "dark horse" pick for the caucus victor, few had predicted a surge this early. With strong performances on the debate stage and big name endorsements, Cruz can now be considered one of the frontrunners in Iowa.
C’mon, you forgot the candidate Twister board picture.
With a 9 point Trump lead, Cruz still has his work cut out for him. But a Trump/Cruz competition is a win/win.
Remember, this is See BS!
If these Evangelicals put Rubio over Trump, then something is seriously screwed up in their thinking.
According to IOWA CAUCUS history for the past 30 years, the odds are in your to WIN the nomination if YOU LOSE do NOT WIN the Iowa caucus......
Of the past 7 ‘contested’ Republican primaries in IOWA, 4 of those primaries did not produce the eventual Nomination ‘winner’.
Most Iowans are idiots. Who cares who they like? They were the first to fall for the Carson fraud, with no other state did.
CBS fruit salad
I think Cruz is going to have to hop off of the Cheap Labor Express if he expects to overtake Trump.
Trump should win the Evangelical vote over Rubio; he’s had three times as many wives.
I Stand With Ted! BUT, I can also usually read and do math accurately. This article has to spin things to make this a “tie.”
Oldplayer
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I think the timing is about right; in another 2-3 weeks, the political landscape will be frozen in place as everyone turns thought to the Holidays.
I suppose if you don’t mind sounding foolish, I shouldn’t mind noticing.
CRUZ/TRUMP 2016!
30 and 21 are a tie? What silly drivel. The writer is a dingbat.
I'd like to see a Trump/Cruz ticket, so a tie is fine with me. Just not an imaginary one.
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