[cornfedcowboy]

On the national stage you are correct that Rubio has an opportunity now. As for Iowa, the story is Trump’s absence. Cruz supporters won’t be swayed even if he has a bad night. I don’t forsee that happening though. Cruz can certainly hold his own.

[deport]

Cruz can certainly hold his own.

******************

Guess we just have to find out ‘what his own’ is.
But he is by far the best head bobber on stage.

[kabar]

It is Cruz's turn in the barrel tonight. All of the other candidates and Fox will aim their guns at Cruz. Rand Paul and Rubio have already shot their opening salvos. Cruz the flip-flopper on issues like immigration and trade will be front and center along with Cruz's ineffectiveness as a senator who cannot work with others.

All the other candidates know that if Cruz loses Iowa, the crown jewel of his campaign, he will collapse heading into NH and SC where he is not even second. Cruz has put all his chips on Iowa. It remains to be seen how it turns out.

IMO Cruz made a huge mistake going after Trump this early. The two of them could have made it a two person race after the first four primaries. Instead, Cruz launched his attack now and invited the street fighter from Queens to pummel him hurting Cruz in the polls and providing an avenue for the GOPe candidate, namely Rubio to move into second place. When that happens, the GOPe will coalesce behind Rubio, which could force a brokered convention.