Posted on 02/04/2016 5:17:06 PM PST by Elderberry
DONALD TRUMP, flanked by his thoroughbred offspring and wife, showed admirable qualities in Des Moines on February 1st. Acknowledging his defeat by Ted Cruz in the Iowa caucuses, which polls had suggested he would win, the Republican front-runner congratulated "Ted and all the incredible candidates", thanked his activists, expressed his love for Iowans and said he was "honoured" with second place. He was gracious, touching even. But humility was not what the visibly deflated crowd wanted from Mr Trump.
Boastfulness is his schtick. Just hours before the caucuses, he delighted a crowd in Cedar Rapids with a promise that, under his presidency, Americans would get so bored of winning they would beg him to lose for a change. No wonder his supporters were downcast at his loss to Mr Cruz, by 24% to 28%-and almost to Marco Rubio, whose 23% surpassed expectations. Mr Trump's balloon has not popped. Iowa, where 60% of Republican voters are evangelical Christians, had always seemed an awkward fit for an irreligious divorcee. But he now has to win in New Hampshire on February 9th. Campaigning there this week, he was back to his old self in no time: he accused Mr Cruz of having stolen the caucuses and demanded a rerun.
Mr Trump lost in Iowa because the contest was more normal than anticipated, as politics usually is. The Republican turnout was high; first-time voters represented 45% of the total and, as expected, many backed Mr Trump. But that effect was mitigated by a big turnout of evangelicals for Mr Cruz. His assiduous effort to get them out on an icy evening made Mr Trump's campaign look dilettantish.
On the Democratic side, similarly, Bernie Sanders, a leftist outsider, hoovered up support from 20-somethings. Yet Hillary Clinton's superior organisation rallied enough middle-aged voters to foil him-just. Mrs Clinton was adjudged the winner by a handful of votes, which represented an indignity of sorts. Her rival is a dishevelled septuagenarian with, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a hole of at least $3 trillion in his health-care plans. But given that Mrs Clinton has a poor record in Iowa and little prospect of winning in New Hampshire, it was still a good result for her.
Mr Rubio's support came mainly from members of the "somewhat conservative" Republican mainstream. Many had previously vacillated between the first-term senator and several like-minded rivals-including Jeb Bush, who won only 3% of the vote. The establishment field is even more split in New Hampshire, between John Kasich and Chris Christie, governors of Ohio and New Jersey, as well as Mr Rubio and Mr Bush. But Mr Rubio is now the favourite to consolidate it and leave New Hampshire as the establishment's man.
If Mr Trump recovers, that augurs a protracted three-horse race-because Mr Cruz is unlikely to fizzle as previous Republican winners in Iowa often have. In New Hampshire he will go easier on the preaching, make the constitution his lodestar and hope for a top-three finish. That this is a realistic ambition also suggests the extent to which the contest remains far from normal. Anti-establishment sentiment is running high; Mr Cruz, Mr Trump and Ben Carson, who are all dedicated to stirring it, took over 60% of the vote in Iowa.
So there will be more rabble-rousing, perhaps especially from Mr Cruz. Before Iowa, he had launched an appeal for establishment support, arguing that he alone could stop Mr Trump. The tycoon's wobble and Mr Rubio's good result make that seem less plausible. Increasingly, then, Mr Cruz will try to appeal to Mr Trump's disaffected ranks; he will argue that he alone can foil the establishment.
3rd is the new 1st.
YAWN
One thing for sure, we can count on Mr. TRUMP being *real* in every venue, firing on *all* cylinders with his signature issues, whereas Cruz must pick which stone to step on, whether it be with his Hallelujah Chorus campaigning, or his I’m-the-only-one-who-can-spell-”constitution” version.
The battle seems, today, to be shaking out as one for fourth place, between Kasich and Cruz.
>> DONALD TRUMP, flanked by his thoroughbred offspring and wife
Those Brits like that thoroughbred stuff.
Fourth will be the new first in New Hampshire. Between Kasich and Cruz, at 12 and 13 percent. Oh, listen to them yowl over fourth and third.
Delegate count to date: Cruz 8, Trump 7, Rubio 7, Carson 3, Bush 1, Paul 1
“flanked by his thoroughbred offspring and wife”
Stopped reading after that. Low class dog meat.
The establishment has sent out Karl Rove as their attack dog to boost Rubio and attack Cruz.. They are counting on knocking off Cruz and then letting Trump self implode.
Conservatives will NEVER buy anything that Karl Rove is selling. Trump is looking a bit unhinged in light of the facts concerning the Carson rumor, especially the fact that Rubio was pushing the same Carson rumor.
Great tag. I personally think that Bl. Miguel Agustin would see more of a kindred spirit in Cruz, for having the nerve to make a selling point of Constitutional principle. And, dare I say, as a potential revert. In any case, may the best hombre win.
RubiRINO is a weasel. Another Hispanic weasel . Go away Marco!!!
The Cheap Labor Express stills expects the RNC to deliver the amnesty candidate they paid for.
Amnesty Boy seems like their best shot.
Yeb! flamed out spectacularly, getting weirder as he goes.
He was supposed to be The Designated Loser this time around.
Guess Mario Rubco will have to do.
I certainly can not argue with that. Thank you, Scot. Congratulations on your potential there. I hope you are received and soon. Best care to you. I will remember you tonight, if you get my drift. Thanks, Scot.
Just say NO to Marco “Amnestio”!
He started 3rd, spent more than Trump and Cruz combined, and ended 3rd
Such a remarkable, awesome showing there....
or not
Mr. I want make sure all the illegals get amnesty before we secure the border came out on top? Why am I not seeing the same attacks for Rubio giving interviews and promises in Spanish the jebito gets?
I love it when they cry.
Is Rubio responsible for the sabotage of the Cruz campaign?
I also read that Luntz was paid one third of a million dollars to run a pro Rubio focus group.
This is serious.
Obviously Rubio is the Heir Apparent.
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