Looks like 2008/2012 again. Trump loses Iowa, wins NH and nomination, like McCain and Romney. If that happens again, Iowa should be dropped from process.
It is getting awfully close for Trump in New Hampshire. If he loses Iowa and New Hampshire back to back, Katy bar the door!
Stunning. 1 month ago that was +15% for establishment. Big change in NH.
Bookmark....
In other news, hundreds of pigs were seen flying in the sky over New England....
“Four different establishment candidates all polling in double digits is what’s allowing Trump to have such a big lead in the state.”
As I said about six months ago, it’s the reverse of 2012. Then it was establishment Romney vs. four or five conservatives. Now the shoe is on the other foot.
Interesting line about Cruz from the article: “He’s the next in line for Trump voters and it’s not even close.”
I look for Cruz to finally go after Trump’s voters for that reason, but to wait until quite close to each primary since most of Trump’s supporters won’t be paying all that much attention until election day nears. Also, going after his voters doesn’t mean the same thing as going after Trump himself. I’m guessing he’ll avoid that.
The Bush/Kasich/Christie/Carson/Fiorina et al voters may soon have to choose somebody else. And only a moron would think Trump is going to pick that up. Trump will have to get Independents to come into the process and register as Republicans, and the door is closing on that opportunity.
Here in Colorado, the deadline to participate was 3 days ago. All delegates from Colorado will be chosen through the caucus system (Precinct Caucus is March 1st). "Independents" HAVE NO VOICE in the nominating process. Of course, they could, if it was more important to them than bragging that they are "independent." (as if that were something worthy of admiration).
The people that participate in the caucuses are not Johnny-come-latelies, they've been involved and well-informed for a long time, they are the people that show up. When El Paso County (Largest by far in the State) GOP had an open and publicly advertised big-screen debate-watching party recently that I attended, a straw poll was held. What was Trump's support among the likely caucus-goers? 5%! Yes, FIVE.
Trump is not playing the game well at the grassroots level, he could easily get most of the primary vote and lose the nomination (like HIllary in 2008), because of organizational reliance upon lawyers instead of regular grass-roots organizers and planners. Unfortunately for Trump, many of his supporters think that anger and rallies and bumper stickers money will get them where they need to go. I think they are mistaken.
Forgive me for my rant, but "independents" in caucus or closed primary states ought to wear a sign that says "I am a non-participating sheep by choice and deeply proud of it, please pat me on my back and help me feel good about being such an innocent fool."