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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Scott Walker leads Iowa poll

The phone is ringing off the hook.

Yesterday alone, I completed telephone surveys for two political polling organizations. Karen did a couple more in the past few days. We ignored another 4 or 5 calls from political campaigns and survey companies.

The first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses are eight months from tomorrow…

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Obama's credibility is in a free fall

What is your word worth? Everything.
Sadly, President Obama’s credibility is in a free fall. In fairness, every politician, conservative or liberal, is going to say things on the campaign trail that they simply can’t live up to. Sometimes they were blowing smoke in the first place. Sometimes, political realities get in the way.
President Obama’s credibility has gone beyond the vagaries of campaign promises run amuck. His integrity is questionable.

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How Republicans can regain the momentum

Obama has crushed the Republicans.
They knew heading into the government shutdown that they will lose the PR wars. Admittedly, they have always rebounded fairly well, as they did during the Gingrich/Clinton shutdowns in the mid 90s.
But times are different today. They are up against the most formidable foe the GOP has faced since the old Soviet Union.
Barack Obama will negotiate with terrorists, anti-semites, and America haters on any corner of the earth. But he has proven his resolve in not only refusing to negotiate with Republicans, but in trying to destroy the Republican brand.
There is one way for the Republicans to regain the momentum …

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The politics of revulsion

The public doesn’t like Democrats. They like Republicans even less.

All of this revulsion doesn’t bode well for Republicans in the latest round of “continuing resolution” discussions to fund the government at sequester-spending levels …

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