Rubio Now Tops GOP Field After 3rd Place Iowa Finish

Radix News ^ | 2/2/2016 | Radix News

[Abakumov]

Marco Rubio was the big winner in Monday’s Iowa caucus according to one prediction web site, vaulting into a commanding lead in the Republican race for the White House. ElectionBettingOdds.com, which tracks probabilities based on actual wagers for candidates, shows support for Rubio spiked overnight from around 32% to 54.3%, putting him firmly in the lead of the Republican pack. Support for previous front runner Donald Trump was virtually cut in half, from just over 51% to under 25.6%. Ted Cruz, who actually won in Iowa, nudged up slightly from the 10% range to 13.3%.

[Marie]

Here’s the thing. The top three are practically tied when it comes to delegates. Everybody can crow or lament last night’s outcome all they want, but here’s the truth: Rubio just proved to the GOPe that he can get the job done. He’s going to be flooded with money and great press.

Both FReeper sides lost last night.

Rubio is now the most dangerous man in this campaign. He’ll be bought and paid for and very well supported by the media. He’s become the Globalists’ best shot.

All of the long knives need to be sharpened and pointed in HIS direction.

He’s Yeb! on steroids and will be horrible for this nation and this party. He’ll work for amnesty and we’ll never win another election. We’ll be Europe by the end of his first term.

We’ll never get another opportunity to get a non-GOPe-approved candidate in if Rubio wins.

[jwalsh07]

I can see Rubio crushing Hillary. In a debate and at the polls. Still backing Cruz but I would bite the bullet for Rubio. I think he has learned his lesson.

[dfwgator]

FWIW, in 2008 John McCain got only 3 delegates and finished fourth.

[Marie]

“But Trumpers, stop worrying about Cruz and hoping he’s in third. Cause you might wake up and find trump in second!! Cruz voters are not the enemy. In my opinion, Rubio voters are.”

Oh, I fully agree with you.

[jwalsh07]

Hey common ground! I knew we’d get there!

[dfwgator]

I think he has learned his lesson.

Famous last words.

[ifinnegan]

Thanks.good analysis.

The upshot being to switch your support to Cruz, everyone, if you aren’t already a Cruz supporter.

[DoodleDawg]

The GOPe are uniting around Rubio because he is the one candidate that they can completely control. Who will do whatever Ryan and McConnell tell him to. And who looks spiffy on campaign commercials.

[jjsheridan5]

I don’t get it. How does that work the Rubio is on top when he only finished third?

Fairly simple, actually. There are plenty of sites that explain it better than I am, but the gist of it is: Cruz and Trump are now vying for the anti-establishment vote (which constitutes a majority of the voters). Their relative strength ensures that neither run away with the election. Meanwhile, the pro-establishment vote (and a small portion of the anti-establishment vote, which mistakenly sees Rubio as "tea party") consolidates behind Rubio. In these early, proportionally allocated states, none of the three are able to create a dominating lead.

Meanwhile, the entire establishment (the Republican party, the professional "consultant" class, much of the media) relentlessly pushes for Rubio, and tears down whichever of Cruz or Trump is leading. Once it gets to the winner-take-all stage, Rubio's reputation will be elevated, while the other two will be ripped apart, and in the small, blue states, as well as the large states where it is difficult to run a statewide campaign, the backing of the party apparatus will give Rubio a decided advantage over the other two, who will be damaged goods (or, at least, the establishment will do everything it can to make them damaged goods).

The prediction sites are correct. The establishment, and Rubio, were the big winners last night. And Rubio has to be considered to have at least a 50/50 shot at winning the nomination.

[jwalsh07]

We never know anything for sure. We pays our moneys and takes our chances. No worries though, Cruz will beat Hillary in the general.

[ifinnegan]

“Third Place is the Second Looser.”

Trump is definitely the loosest.

[ifinnegan]

“The GOPe and Fox News will now be pushing Rubio night and day. Trump need to forget about Cruz and go after Rubio fast and hard.”

Yes, but...

How do we explain it when it doesn’t happen?

[Marie]

How about we table the ‘switch your support’ crap for a minute? Neither T or C supporters are budging right now. I propose an armistice until we can take Rubio down a notch or three. Both of our candidates will gain strength if Rubio drops.

We need to focus on Rubio talking points and get *that* word out.

[Lazamataz]

I like Rubio more then Trump or Cruz.

Yeah, I know. And Kasich, before that.

You're not much of a fan of conservatism, are ya?

[Mr. K]

um....huh?

[Mr. K]

If it is Rubio I am writing-in Trump/Palin

[BlueNgold]

Rubio could finish anywhere from 2nd to 6th next week.

He needs another top 3 to keep the spin alive.

He could conceivably finish behind Trump and Cruz, as well as Kasich, Bush, Christy, and Carson is even in play.

But he could also creep up to 3rd, and possibly second.

I dont know how, but the GOPe would find a way to spin 2 3rd place showings as momentum. I Pray for Kasich and Christy to show well in NH and stem this ridiculous narrative that 3rd is a win.

[dp0622]

yeah, i got NO PROBLEM with Trump being pres.

I have my reasons to back who i’m backing but EITHER as my vote in the generals just like i would hope people on either side will turn out for the other.

both are a little quirky lol So what. one has said about the party what we’ve been waiting forever to hear.

another said about the COUNTRY that we’ve been waiting to hear.

that would be trump and i’d be fine with him as pres.

i am WORRIED about rubio the spender

[Blackirish]

Trump was no conservative. He said would be a great president. Not even Jeb said that

[Blackirish]

He said Hillary would be great president... damn phone