I’d say three with Rubio in the mix. I don’t see anyone else in the field as a viable option barring a major shakeup. This debate is definitely Cruz’s moment to take command.
The problem with Rubio at this point is... where does he win? He’s likely to finish out of the top 2 in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Without a good finish in an early state, he would face a historically impossible road to the nomination.
I agree, and I think the nominee will be either Cruz or Rubio.
I agree.
Rubio will eventually inherit the Christie and Bush votes and some percentage of all the rest. I see it as Cruz-Trump-Rubio or Trump-Cruz-Rubio going forward. That should be all that is left after March 1 and it should thin down some after the Iowa caucus on Feb 1 and the NH Primary on Feb 9.
CNN is doing their best to make sure that can’t happen by crowding the stage with candidates that can’t win and shouldn’t be there.
I think their strategy is to have his voice get lost in the crowd.
It’s a little to early to call it a 2 man race, but if Rubeo or Chisty does not make a move soon then yeah, the anybody but Trump crowd (uniparty) will go all in on Cruz. I am expecting a lot of rat voters voting Cruz in the GOP primaries. Kinda like what happened in Mississippi.
I would be happy with Trump or Cruz... my comment reflected the fear the GOPe hadn’t given up ...