Posted on 02/01/2016 11:10:42 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
As the first 2016 nominating votes near, Donald Trump's strength as GOP frontrunner seems only to grow - nationally and in Iowa, where he's led in five of the last six state polls. But before the Trump freight train gets too far down the tracks, here's a word to the wise: Don't count out Ted Cruz, especially in the Hawkeye State.
The Texas senator has one big advantage over Trump, he occupies the social conservative lane in the GOP primary field, and that lane tends to over perform in Iowa.
(VIDEO-AT-LINK
Consider the 2008 and 2012 Iowa Republican caucuses. In both years, the social conservative candidate won the state - former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum - and both men got a big bump in the final tally compared to polls.
Going into the 2008 caucuses, Huckabee led Mitt Romney by about 3 points - 29.7 percent to 26.7 percent - but in the final results Huckabee won by more than 9 points, 34.4 percent to 25.2 percent....
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Just my observations.
Remember Romney’s ultra sophisticated system that they bragged about in 2012? They ended up making us all look dumb because we got super excited hearing about how high tech it was.
Then there’s Santorum, whom was not expected to even place in Iowa earlier that year never talked about his GG. Ended up winning.
Even in 2002 Democrats were boasting about their GOTV efforts only to end up getting flattened by Rove, whom kept his plans tight to the vest.
People that have the best game are the ones that keep their mouths shut and just do it.
Rubio?
Maybe he'll go with a hair joke...oh, wait...that was Cruz.
Iowa means nothing.
You'd think so. But some of them have been so awful to Trump supporters the past month or so that I have no idea what they're capable of.
JMHO
As John Sununu said
Iowa picks corn
New Hampshire picks Presidents
His name is Chuck Laudner.
He’s been on Trumps staff since at least August.
I’m waiting for the day I no longer have to read or hear the word Iowa. ;>)
Ted is a fighter and that’s good! He’s young. He’ll be around a long time I hope.
I agree. Tonight’s value is about momentum. It’s so nice to be excited about this again! I’ve waited 7 years for this election cycle!
After tomorrow, New Hampshire is the new Iowa.
Me too x 1000. I am not sure I will ever eat corn again.
>>I bet he throws the people of Iowa under the bus.<<
You’re going to have to give some pretty lopsided odds to get anyone to take that bet.
And Cruz won Iowa....
No “Hair joke” needed.
Yep, he better hope he's not the next Santorum or Huckabee.
“Yep, he better hope he’s not the next Santorum or Huckabee.”
Certainly not trump.
But yes, I agree with you.
Weird they get the same delegates. Also, with the 3 way race, 47% voted against Cruz and 51% voted against Trump.
Not a rock star performance by anyone.
“Also, with the 3 way race, 47% voted against Cruz and 51% voted against Trump.”
So who wins? hitlery????? Sandy?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.