[Diana in Wisconsin]

Could the Cruzbots explain to me why Cruz is trailing like this? It doesn’t seem like he should be.

Does he poll higher, elsewhere?

[wolfman23601]

Let’s see how he is doing after some debating. He’ll have to perform as advertised if he is going to gain any traction amid Trumpmania.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Well, I guess that means he won’t get the nomination when the convention meets next week...

[ilgipper]

He hasn’t really done much yet. National media to build a base. I think their strategy is to perform well in debates and use the organization being built with the significant donations to rise to the top.

I think a lot of people love Cruz but don’t see him as a charismatic candidate. If he proves he can be, he’ll rise up. If not, he’ll stay second tier.

[Dr. Sivana]

Could the Cruzbots explain to me why Cruz is trailing like this? It doesn’t seem like he should be.

I wouldn't characterize myself as a "Cruzbot", though he is certainly my first choice. The supporters of Huckabee and Casey will eventually go somewhere else, at least by March 1.

They won't go to Jeb, and they won't likely go to Trump (unless it is clearly a two man contest by that point). Some will go to Rubio because of his demeanor (comes across as positive), some to Walker (Huck supporters who want a governor) and some to Cruz (who see him as the most solid pro-lifer, and they liked what they heard from Huck and Carson).

Name recognition counts for more at this stage. Both Cruz and Walker are purposefully laying low. They have money, but they don't want to waste it with polling points that may not last. Cruz is certainly concentrating on key states outside of the first four primaries, and seems to take seriously the notion that there might not be a first round winner. Cruz is spending a LOT of time here in Georgia, and he wants Michigan, which is closer to Walker's wheelhouse. A win, or second place showing to Trump will wound Walker badly.

We have to see who flames out/runs out of money after Iowa. Remember 2008 for the Dems? Edwards split the non racial minority vote with HRC. If he wasn't in, HRC wins Iowa and New Hampshire, and gets the nomination saying some condescending things to Obama before picking him for VP.

A couple of the asterisks will drop out before Iowa. Others after NH and SC. Then, when we are down to seven candidates, and maybe three or four competitive ones on March 1, we will see how it breaks.

Patience. Patience.