How social media views the Republican race

Dr. Carson and Donald Trump are also enjoying social media success. That’s why their candidacies seem to have legs. (To put the numbers above in perspective, President Obama has 45 million followers today.)

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Insiders vs. outsiders in the Republican polls

Outsiders Donald Trump and Ben Carson continue to lead beltway insiders Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz in the RealClearPolitics (RCP) average for the Republican nomination.

In Iowa, here’s how they stack up:

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The Trump effect

Republican debates are typically sleepy affairs with 3 to 5 million viewers.

The party faithful and policy wonks tune in while the rest of the country tunes out.

The addition of Donald Trump with his potent disdain for the establishment and political correctness changed things.

Last month, the Fox debate had well over 20 million viewers. Last night’s CNN debate had nearly as many. That’s a lot of people who got exposed to some lively, and frequently intelligent exchanges (less so when Trump was speaking).

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5 reactions to last night’s debate

Fiorina is a formidable debater. Even more, she is establishing the persona of a formidable leader. Her put down of Trump for his insufferable remarks about her appearance will live in debate lore forever. I am certain Saturday Night Live writers are at work on a sketch based on this exchange.

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