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A Smaller Field Is Not Enough
National Review ^ | 2/22/2016 | FRED BAUER Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/431691/donald-trump-smaller-gop-fie

Posted on 02/22/2016 8:35:54 PM PST by BlackFemaleArmyColonel

With Donald Trump's victory in the South Carolina primary, many GOP pundits are beating the drums for other candidates to drop out of the race under the theory that a two- or three-person race would be the end of Trump's presidential campaign. But Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, John Kasich, and Ben Carson might need more than everyone else's dropping out in order to beat Trump in the primaries. They'll have to present their own affirmative visions and, probably, address some of the populist concerns that have elevated Trump. It doesn't seem quite clear that winnowing the field will necessarily spell doom for Trump's insurgent candidacy. If Kasich and Carson dropped out, there's a good chance that at least a some of their support would go to Trump; Kasich polls well with self-identified "moderates," a group favorable to Trump, and many of Carson's supporters back him because, like Trump, he stands outside the standard political system. Some of Rubio's supporters might back Trump if he dropped out, and, since Cruz has also made much of outsider themes, it is likely that a portion of his supporters could go to Trump if the Texas senator exited the race. National primary polls are not always the best indicator, but, as the field has been winnowed over the past six months, Trump's "ceiling" in national polls has gradually ascended. It's possible he will top out at the mid 30s, but there's no guarantee of that. He has won two out of the last three primaries, both by commanding margins. So far, Trump's support has reached throughout many sectors of the Republican coalition. A recent YouGov poll found that Trump would win a three-way race with Cruz and Rubio comfortably.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bfac; trumpleads
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To: Smokin' Joe

Well, it could remind you of either of the two hotshot first-term junior Senators who haven’t accomplished anything but think they’re ready for the Big Job. I don’t see either of them anywhere near 30 or 40% of even self-proclaimed conservative voters.

Seriously, do you people read the crap you post?


21 posted on 02/22/2016 8:56:14 PM PST by bigbob ("Victorious warriors win first and then go to war" Sun Tzu.)
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

Thanks for sharing this, I love laughing at these clowns. This is by far the most pathetic anti-Trump hit piece they’ve churned out yet. It’s the editorial equivalent of the Jeb campaign.

In order to beat Trump, you just need to find a likeable candidate with a popular platform.


22 posted on 02/22/2016 8:56:53 PM PST by 20yearsofinternet (Border: Close it. Illegals: Deport. Muslims: Ban 'em. Economy: Liberate it. PC: Kill it. Trump 2016)
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To: QuinqueViae

I believe that.

Yesterday I saw a guy on TV talking about how they’ll convince Kasich and Carson to drop out, then they’ll dive right in and start doing opposition research on Trump, then mount a multimillion dollar anti-Trump ad campaign. All that sounds like it is going to take more than a week or two, and by then this thing could be wrapped up. They never seem to look at the polling in the Super Tuesday contests, or even consider the possibility that Trump could win most or even all of them.


23 posted on 02/22/2016 9:02:54 PM PST by euram
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

The National Review is decompensating. Its losing not just perspective but its grip on reality. Just what are they saying? “Wow. Give people the vote and the select leaders we just don’t like. What to do? What to do?”


24 posted on 02/22/2016 9:04:43 PM PST by allendale
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

GOP Masterminds: Hic Nevada hic salta
The field should be narrowed: to one.


25 posted on 02/22/2016 9:06:38 PM PST by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives.)
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To: One Name
What? Why didn't you tell me it was MY job to prep a candidate for POTUS? I was busy on oil rigs getting enough production to lower oil prices. I thought that was my job.

There isn't much that remains. A piece or two of parchment with some scratching on it.

Great words, great concepts, but they aren't being followed by either side, and the guy who isn't beholden to anyone (but himself) isn't going to pay any attention to it either. Yeah, it's getting real close to being time.

26 posted on 02/22/2016 9:18:07 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: euram

Good analysis, but not only do they not have time, they have no money left. Conservatives can start to look down ticket and see if we can primary some GOPe members, and get candidates for purple districts. Hillary is a low energy candidate with no coattails. This will be a wave election. We can win in areas we couldn’t before.


27 posted on 02/22/2016 9:18:07 PM PST by Vince Ferrer
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To: Smokin' Joe

Trump loves babies. Babies love Trump. Trump does not support abortion once he learns more about the issue.


28 posted on 02/22/2016 9:19:12 PM PST by ObamahatesPACoal (And Trump could win it all My rightful place from birth Dad ive let you down Dub ive made you hurt)
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

No seegar for you! I was talking about Obama’s supporters eight years ago.


29 posted on 02/22/2016 9:19:15 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Neu Pragmatist

I am only embarrassed that so many alleged Conservatives are backing that huckster.


30 posted on 02/22/2016 9:20:21 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: bigbob

I proofread my stuff. I was referring to Obama. I guess that was lost on you.


31 posted on 02/22/2016 9:21:33 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: ObamahatesPACoal
Trump loves babies

Roasted, broiled, or fricasseed?

32 posted on 02/22/2016 9:22:20 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Smokin' Joe

You learned many of the same things I learned at the state penitentiary over three decades.

Don’t expect much from others, they’ll seldom exceed your expectations and you won’t be disappointed.

Ya it’s much closer now. Strengthen the things that remain


33 posted on 02/22/2016 9:29:24 PM PST by One Name (Ultimately, the TRUTH is a razor's edge and no man can sit astride it.)
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To: One Name

Yep, stock the pantry and BLOAT, too.


34 posted on 02/22/2016 9:35:02 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Smokin' Joe

Pantry’s been stocked since Y2K.

We’re here for the duration , Lord willing


35 posted on 02/22/2016 9:42:28 PM PST by One Name (Ultimately, the TRUTH is a razor's edge and no man can sit astride it.)
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To: D-fendr
Trump's disastrous economic policies would be good for his opponents to highlight.

And yet neither Cruz nor Rubio have done so.

What does their inaction say about Cruz and Rubio?

36 posted on 02/23/2016 4:14:46 AM PST by Balding_Eagle ( The Great Wall of Trump ---- 100% sealing of the border. Coming soon.)
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To: Smokin' Joe

LOL! Cruz must be the only saint you worship and all others are just spawns of Satan - grow up and open thy eyes - it’s a real world out there.


37 posted on 02/23/2016 4:53:59 AM PST by trebb (Where in the the hell has my country gone?)
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To: Balding_Eagle

>>And yet neither Cruz nor Rubio have done so. What does their inaction say about Cruz and Rubio?

Not good things, I agree.


38 posted on 02/23/2016 9:37:27 AM PST by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
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