Ted Cruz Pulls Campaign Advertisement Featuring Porn Star Amy Lindsay

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This Maggie Haberman Piece on Donald Trump's New Hampshire Win and Resurgent Campaign is Outstanding

I read it on my iPhone and tweeted. It's really good.

Backers Stayed With Donald Trump As He Regained His Bearings, via @MaggieNYT https://t.co/2heJJNljGr

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) February 10, 2016

Polls Show Donald Trump Holding Double-Digit Lead in New Hampshire (VIDEO)

Following-up from yesterday, "Donald Trump Moves to 22-Point Lead Over Marco Rubio in New Hampshire Tracking Poll."

Here's the last entry in the UMass Lowell New Hampshire tracking poll, "Trump-34 Rubio-13 Cruz-13 Kasich-10 Bush-10... #NHPrimary LVs..."

And watch, at CBS News This Morning:



I'm making no predictions. Too many voters are undecided up there, and I thought enthusiasm would push Trump over the line in the Hawkeye State. No can do, it turns out.

So, we'll see about New Hampshire tomorrow. We'll see.

Marco Rubio's Going to Keep Saying 'Barack Obama Knows Exactly What He's Doing...' (VIDEO)

Rubio's hammering this message, doubling- and tripling-down despite the harsh reaction he's gotten from all quarters.

Watch, at ABC News, "Marco Rubio Faces Fallout from GOP Debate."

Donald Trump Moves to 22-Point Lead Over Marco Rubio in New Hampshire Tracking Poll

Following-up from yesterday, "Donald Trump Stays Steady at 21-Points Ahead of Marco Rubio in New Hampshire Tracking Poll."

It wouldn't have caught any shifts from last night's debate, although I don't think Trump hurt himself. If anything, Rubio's numbers should tank a bit before Tuesday, and maybe some of the governors will move up.

Via UMass Lowell:

.@UMassLowell @UML_CPO @7News tracking poll update for Republican #NHPrimary https://t.co/8rcR1o7YS8 pic.twitter.com/XLSOcoSDwU

— UML Public Opinion (@UML_CPO) February 7, 2016

Tracking poll 2/7 #NHPrimary Reps
Trump 36
Rubio 14
Cruz 13
Bush 10
Kasich 9
Christie 4
Fiorina 4
Carson 3
DK 7https://t.co/8rcR1o7YS8

— UML Public Opinion (@UML_CPO) February 7, 2016

For GOP, could change mind...
Trump 26
Cruz 47
Rubio 54
Kasich 44
Bush 39
Rubio has most to lose of top 5 Reps in NH https://t.co/e5t2jRzzAL

— UML Public Opinion (@UML_CPO) February 7, 2016

Marco Rubio Responds to Debate Debacle on 'This Week' (VIDEO)

Following-up from last night, "Marco Rubio Was Flummoxed, Speechless After New Hampshire's #GOPDebate," and "WATCH: Chris Christie Pummels Marco Rubio During New Hampshire's Crucial #GOPDebate (VIDEO)."

At ABC News:

Marco Rubio Was Flummoxed, Speechless After New Hampshire's #GOPDebate

Heh, I can't stop laughing!

From Hunter Walker, at Yahoo Politics, "Marco Rubio and his team assess the damage from his duel with Chris Christie":

Rubio was speechless moments after the debate, Christie told his advisers https://t.co/8CninXdcqk pic.twitter.com/fEFmvEkrqT

— Jon Ward (@jonward11) February 7, 2016

Who benefits from Christie beating up on Rubio?
JEB BUSH.
Beware the SHADOW MENACE!https://t.co/Q5pOLKDgi4

— Robert Stacy McCain (@rsmccain) February 7, 2016

Rubio blew it tonight https://t.co/CFuKVttwnw

— ColorMeRed (@ColorMeRed) February 7, 2016

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Moments after the Republican debate ended Saturday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie walked over to Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, shook his hand, and offered some customary words of encouragement.

Rubio stared mutely back, looking flummoxed, Christie told close aides moments later, according to one Christie adviser who was in the room.

Christie and his team were buoyant after the New Jersey governor mauled Rubio in a one-on-one face-off in the first half-hour of the debate, repeatedly mocking Rubio for what he called his lack of experience and accomplishments. It was, clearly, a bad night for Rubio. The question now is: Who benefits from the fallout?

Rubio came into the debate with momentum, following a surprisingly strong third-place finish at the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1. But he got in trouble Saturday starting with the very first question that came his way, which was about “readiness to be president.” The senator, who said he was “proud” of his record, then attempted to shift the discussion to President Barack Obama...

Keep reading.

CNN Rips Ted Cruz for 'Flat-Out Lie' Blaming Network for Iowa Caucus Dirty Tricks — #GOPDebate (VIDEO)

This is harsh — for the Cruz campaign!

Tom Foreman excoriates Cruz for his "flat-out lie" about the network's Iowa caucus coverage, at the clip below.

At Politico, "CNN rips Cruz as feud escalates":

CNN came out swinging against Ted Cruz Saturday night after the Texas senator once again tried to blame the network for his campaign's use of its report to tell Ben Carson's Iowa Caucus supporters that their candidate was dropping out of the race.

"What Senator Cruz said tonight in the debate is categorically false," a network spokesperson said in a statement. "CNN never corrected its reporting because CNN never had anything to correct. The Cruz campaign's actions the night of the Iowa caucuses had nothing to do with CNN's reporting. The fact that Senator Cruz continues to knowingly mislead the voters about this is astonishing."

Right as the Iowa caucus was beginning, CNN reported that Carson was not flying directly to New Hampshire and would instead fly to Florida for some days off and to get a fresh set of clothes.

Messages sent out to Cruz supporters at the caucuses made it seem as though Carson was suspending his campaign, and urged them to convince Carson supporters to jump to Cruz, who ended up winning the Caucus...

More.

And at CNN, "Ted Cruz is wrong about CNN's reporting." (Via Memeorandum.)

WATCH: Chris Christie Pummels Marco Rubio During New Hampshire's Crucial #GOPDebate (VIDEO)

They traded blows, for sure, but Marco Rubio ended up worse for the wear.

Seems to be the consensus, even though Rubio otherwise had a good night.

And I love the headline at Politico, "GOP HUNGER GAMES: Marco Rubio takes the brunt of the blows, as the candidates desperately try to score points ahead of Tuesday’s primary":

MANCHESTER, N.H. — With time running out before the New Hampshire primary, the top Republican rivals desperately tried to land knock-out punches at Saturday night’s debate — and most of them were aiming at Marco Rubio.

Rubio’s adversaries went after the Florida senator from all angles, eager to slow his momentum by portraying him as a lightweight leader whose campaign has been lifted by little more than lofty rhetoric.

Chris Christie led the charge, slamming Rubio for memorizing talking points and for his thin record in the Senate, as he declared that Rubio “simply does not have the experience to be president of the United States.”

Christie urged Republicans not to make the “same mistake we made eight years ago” in electing a first-term senator, Barack Obama. Jeb Bush eagerly joined the Rubio pile-on. “We’ve tried it the old way,” Bush said, echoing Christie’s warning of an Obama repeat act.

When Rubio repeated himself by pivoting three times to the fact that Obama is carrying out his flawed plan for the White House — saying he “knows exactly what he's doing" — Christie pounced. “There it is, the memorized 25-second speech,” Christie declared. “There it is, everybody.”

When Rubio listed some of his Senate accomplishments, Christie hammered him on that, too, in particular Rubio’s backing of a bill cracking down on Hezbollah, and his spotty attendance record for Senate votes. “That’s not leadership,” Christie said. “That’s truancy.”

Rubio tried to hit back at Christie over attendance, only to have it boomerang. The Florida senator pointed that Christie only reluctantly went back to New Jersey for 36 hours during a big snow storm. "That had to shame you into going back,” Rubio said.

Christie shot back — “The shame is, Marco, you would actually criticizes someone for showing up to work."

Keep reading.

PREVIOUSLY: "Explosive Jeb Bush/Donald Trump Exchange on Eminent Domain Sparks Boos at #GOPDebate (VIDEO)."

UPDATE: Linked at iOTW Report. Thanks!

Plus, at the Los Angeles Times, "Fierce exchanges mark Republican debate, as Marco Rubio is hit hard."

Still more, at BuzzFeed, "Under Attack, Marco Rubio Malfunctions — And Repeats the Same Line Four Times."

Explosive Jeb Bush/Donald Trump Exchange on Eminent Domain Sparks Boos at #GOPDebate (VIDEO)

That was something else, no doubt.

At ABC News, "Donald Trump Sparks Boos at GOP Debate."

And at Politico, "Trump shushes Bush, and the crowd boos":

Donald Trump shushed Jeb Bush during a feisty exchange between the two Republican candidates on eminent domain.

Trump was asked a question about eminent domain and he defended it, provoking Bush to interject that Trump used it to build a "limousine parking lot for his casino in Atlantic City."

When Bush moved to interrupt the real estate mogul, Trump raised one finger to his lips.

"Quiet," Trump said to Bush. The audience booed, and Trump said the booing was because of all the wealthy donors in the audience.

"The RNC told us we have all donors in the audience. And the reason they're not loving me is I don't want their money," Trump said, as the crowd continued to boo.

During the exchange he also said eminent domain was important because without it there wouldn't be roads or other essential public works.

"Without eminent domain, you don't have roads, highways, schools or anything. eminent domain is an absolutely necessity for a country," Trump said.

Trump also accused Bush of "trying to be a tough guy," to which Bush responded by asking Trump how "tough" he had to be when, per Bush's accusation, Trump attempted to use eminent domain to seize property from an elderly woman.

Awkward! Candidates Take the Stage at New Hampshire GOP Debate (VIDEO)

Via WMUR News 9 Manchester, "There was some confusion as the Republican presidential candidates took the stage Saturday at the final GOP debate before the New Hampshire primary."

I'll say.

Jeb Bush 'Is Not Far from Third Place' (VIDEO)

Call me skeptical.

If Jeb Bush comes in third on Tuesday I'll take the hot ghost pepper challenge, lol. (I'm not sure if I know where to buy the hot ghost pepper, but I'll worry about it Jebbie comes in third, heh).

At WMUR News 9 Manchester, "Andy Smith of the UNH Survey Center dissects recent poll numbers ahead of the GOP debate."

Smith claims Jeb's got a shot. Well, I did blog Jeb this morning, "Jeb Bush Was Supposed to Be New Face of Conservatism, But GOP Rivals Outpaced Him (VIDEO)."

Maybe Barbara Bush's stump speech will win over a few voters. I'll bet she'll siphon some of John Kasich's supporters, ha!

Donald Trump Stays Steady at 21-Points Ahead of Marco Rubio in New Hampshire Tracking Poll

The latest numbers from the UMass Lowell poll out of New Hampshire.

He's back up a little from yesterday, "Donald Trump Holds 19-Points Lead in UMass Lowell Tracking Poll with 3 Days of Post-Iowa Caucus Data."

The 6th release of the @UML_CPO @UMassLowell @7News #NHPrimary tracking poll is here; Sanders +14, Trump +21 https://t.co/8rcR1nQnty

— UML Public Opinion (@UML_CPO) February 6, 2016

Trump 35 Rubio 14 Cruz 13 Kasich 10 Bush 10 Christie 4 Carson 3 Fiorina 3 - @UML_CPO @7News #NHPrimary tracking poll https://t.co/8rcR1nQnty

— UML Public Opinion (@UML_CPO) February 6, 2016

41% of Republican #NHPrimary LVs could still change their mind; 11% of registered Republicans undecided https://t.co/8rcR1nQnty

— UML Public Opinion (@UML_CPO) February 6, 2016

Jeb Bush Was Supposed to Be New Face of Conservatism, But GOP Rivals Outpaced Him (VIDEO)

His campaign's just sad.

It's always been sad. He's been hated from the get-go. Nobody's wanted him. Nobody's wanted a third Bush term. Now the question is how he can bow out without disgracing his family even further?

At the Los Angeles Times, "Fight or flight? In New Hampshire, Jeb Bush's sagging campaign faces reckoning":

When Jeb Bush entered the presidential race, he had a vision of a transformative candidacy that would remake the Republican Party, attracting young people and minorities — especially Latinos — with a vibrant new image based on solid conservative principles.

Now it has come to this: A dismal finish in the Iowa caucuses, a slog through New Hampshire and a growing wish in the party that Bush would step aside or, at least, tone down his campaign so he doesn't hurt someone more likely to win — such as Marco Rubio, who reflects much of what Bush hoped to accomplish when he ran.

It is, he tells audiences, an exciting and joyful experience.

But for others watching, who know Bush and his family personally, or who witnessed his firm command as Florida's two-term governor, the spectacle is sad and disheartening to see. “It bothers people because they believe he deserves better,” said Susan MacManus, who teaches political science at the University of South Florida and has closely followed Bush and his career for decades.

Stepping into a Bush campaign event can seem like a voyage to the past.

The family lineage is evident even without the ritual invocation of his mother — who campaigned alongside Bush in New Hampshire on Thursday night — his father and, sometimes, his oldest brother, both former president. There is the awkward syntax, the preppy manner and, above all, the unfashionable reverence for elected office and the sanctity of the political process.

Noting that businessman Donald Trump has used profanity three times in a recent speech — Bush had obviously counted — he insisted, “Look, I'm no fuddy-duddy. But this should be at least [PG]-rated. I mean, we're running for president of the United States. There are children listening to this stuff!”

The issues he talks about — term limits, a balanced-budget amendment — were moldy when his brother sought the White House 16 years ago and some of his language can sound oddly old-fashioned as he warns against abusing a president's executive powers, “Oh, my goodness gracious!” or throws a session open to questions with an exuberant, “Give me some doozies!”

There is a hopeful Bush scenario in New Hampshire: a strong finish in Tuesday's primary, which sends him roaring into the next contest in South Carolina, where he emerges as the favorite of those in the Republican Party desperate to stop the insurgencies of Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.It seems improbable, however.

New Hampshire rescued Bush's father, then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, after he stumbled in Iowa in 1988. The state tripped up his older brother, the front-running George W. Bush, and almost cost him the GOP nomination to a surging John McCain in 2000.

This time, though, Jeb Bush rests far back among the also-rans, easily overlooked but for the bombardment of TV and radio advertisements savaging Trump and, especially, Florida Sen. Rubio, a former protégé-turned-campaign-nemesis.

The onslaught has angered many Republicans, including lawmakers on Capitol Hill, who see it as gratuitous, hopeless and, worse, potentially damaging to a candidate some have started to see as their best general election candidate after Rubio's strong third-place finish Monday night in Iowa. Bush appears unmoved.

“Guess what? This is not beanbag,” he said when a woman at a Laconia Town Hall meeting complained about the pile of attack mailers she has received from a pro-Bush political action committee, which has spent tens of millions of dollars attacking Rubio. “If you think it's ugly right now, wait till you get to the general election.”

With an edge to his voice, Bush offered this unsolicited advice to Rubio, who has complained about the barrage of negativity: “Get over it, man. This is politics.”

The former governor is 62, older than the 44-year-old Rubio but younger than Trump and both of the two Democrats running for president...

He might have to drop out after Monday night, but perhaps he's a glutton for punishment, or doesn't want to embarrass his family? I don't know. But the sooner he drops out the better --- it's been merciless on those who've had to watch.

PREVIOUSLY: "Stakes Are High in Tonight's GOP Debate."

Stakes Are High in Tonight's GOP Debate

Following-up, "GOP Debate Tonight."

At WSJ, "GOP Debate Preview: High Stakes for Candidates Saturday":

The Republican presidential debate night in New Hampshire Saturday will feature the smallest array of candidates yet, but the stakes are higher than ever: For several candidates, this debate could be their swan song.

Among the seven candidates on the stage, there are several for whom a strong showing in New Hampshire is a make-or-break affair. Unlike prior nights, there is no undercard debate.

The line up has been whittled to seven as three candidates have quit the race after poor performances in Iowa — former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Sen. Rick Santorum, and Sen. Rand Paul. Also missing is former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina, who was excluded from the stage because she didn’t do well enough in Iowa or recent polls.

For the seven who remain, here is what they need to accomplish in the debate at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, N.H...

Keep reading.

GOP Debate Tonight

It's an ABC News debate, co-sponsored by WMUR News 9 Manchester, New Hamphire.



Plus, "WBUR New Hampshire Primary Poll: Trump Leads Nearest Rivals 29-to-12 Percent."

WBUR New Hampshire Primary Poll: Trump Leads Nearest Rivals 29-to-12 Percent

See, "WBUR Poll: In N.H., Democratic Race Tightens Slightly, Trump Stays Ahead on GOP Side."

Trump's numbers are consistent across the number of New Hampshire polls I've blogged. It's the "battle for the second" tier that's pretty unsettled. But Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are tied at 12 percent in the WBUR poll, although the CNN/WMUR poll had Rubio at 18 percent, which is a pretty good difference. See, "Trump Ahead by 11-Points in New Hampshire; Rubio Surges in 'Battle for the Second Tier' (VIDEO)."

It's been a crazy week.

The UMass Lowell poll is releasing numbers throughout the weekend, so there's still more data we'll have to look at before Tuesday's election.

So, check back, as always.

CNN Hypes 'White Nationalist' Robocalls for Donald Trump in New Hampshire (VIDEO)

Here's CNN the report, via Memeorandum, "Trump's unwelcome support: White supremacists."

And Red State's Jay Caruso runs with the story, "White Supremacists Form a Super PAC. Take a Wild Guess Who They're Supporting?" (That's a safe link, to Caruso's Twitter feed. Red State and the National Review people completely lost it this last couple of weeks over Donald Trump. It's been pretty ugly, really.)

This isn't the first media outlet hyping the so-called "White Nationalist" support for trump. The group's robocalls were also reported in Iowa. The Washington Post covered them, sensationally, apparently. Jared Taylor, who's interviewed at the CNN video, responded to WaPo's report here, "Donald Trump, White Supremacism, and the Insanity of the WASHINGTON POST":

The Washington Post recently interviewed me for a story about robocalls I made to support Donald Trump in Iowa [Hear a white nationalist’s robocall urging Iowa voters to back Trump, January 12, 2016]

The reporter, Peter Holley [email him], was the usual bright young lad, and we had a 45-minute phone conversation that covered a lot of ground.

People who know nothing about racial dissidents call us “white supremacists,” so I explained why that’s wrong.

Me: “No, I’m not a white supremacist. If that’s someone who wants to rule over people of other races, I’ve never even met one. They’re extinct.”

Mr. Holley: “What about someone who thinks white people are superior to other people?”

Me: “I don’t think that. East Asians have higher average IQs, lower crime rates, fewer illegitimate children—they’re superior to whites in lots of ways. Do you want to call me a ‘yellow supremacist’?”

I went on to explain that “white supremacist” is the most morally-loaded expression of contempt for a white person in the English language. I told him it’s the equivalent of calling blacks ni**ers. If you want to say someone is so wicked and primitive that you needn’t pay attention to a word he says, you call him a “white supremacist.”

Well, Mr. Holley managed not to call me the equivalent of a ni**ger—but referred to me as “editor of the white supremacist magazine American Renaissance.”

When I emailed to ask him why AmRen is “white supremacist” he wrote back to say: “I think, given the content of your magazine, that’s not inaccurate.”

I suppose the best we can hope for from Washington Post is that it be “not inaccurate.”

So what did he call me? A “white nationalist.”

As I like to ask, what do you call a black person who prefers black culture and prefers to live and hang out with other black people? A black person. It’s the ones who don’t prefer black culture etc. who are called names like “Oreo.” It’s the same with Hispanics. “Coconut” is not a compliment.

But as soon as a white man says he prefers white people and European culture then you need a swear word for him. If you’ve been talked out of “supremacist” you go with “nationalist”—because it has the bomb-throwing aroma of Basque or Kurdish nationalism.

Years ago, I sometimes let people class me as a “white nationalist.” But I’ve since concluded that the term is hopelessly tainted. White advocate, race realist, identitarian—I accept any of those terms. But I can’t get the WaPo to use them anyway.

The less sophisticated-East Cost-liberal that a paper is, the better. Local community fishwraps have written touchingly straightforward stories about me. Even USA Today recently wrote “Taylor, who describes himself as a ‘white advocate,’. . . .” [White nationalists urge support for Donald Trump in Iowa, by Fredreka Schouten, January 12, 2016]

I tried to warn WaPo’s Mr. Holley about the Southern Poverty Law Center ($PLC to VDARE.com). For the 100th time, I tried to explain how contemptible it is to look for people with whom you disagree, claim to read their minds, and then call them “haters.” It’s like “white supremacist.” “Haters” are so unhinged that what they say is sure to be rubbish, so if the SPLC’s Mark Potok says Jared Taylor is a hater that’s all you need to know about him...

Still more. (Via Memeorandum.)

That's all good.

Remember, though, I draw the line at flying the Confederate Flag. If you're going to insist flying it because is "heritage not hate," you've lost me. I'm sympathetic, but I just don't buy the "heritage" argument, even less so after spending all last summer reading Civil War history.

Megyn Kelly Discusses Her 'Bizarre' Feud with Donald Trump (VIDEO)

She's interviewed by George Stephanopoulos, who I normally try to avoid.

But it's an interesting clip, nevertheless. I have a lot of respect for Megyn Kelly, despite all the attacks Fox News has been getting from various parties, not the least Donald Trump.

Watch, via GMA:

Donald Trump Holds 19-Points Lead in UMass Lowell Tracking Poll with 3 Days of Post-Iowa Caucus Data

Okay, following-up, "Trump Ahead by 11-Points in New Hampshire; Rubio Surges in 'Battle for the Second Tier' (VIDEO)."

Now, here's the latest from UMass Lowell, "FEB. 5: RACE TIGHTENING ON BOTH SIDES":

Today is the first release with three days of post-Iowa Caucus data. It appears that Clinton’s win in Iowa has led to a sizable bump. She now trails Sanders by 15 points, 55%-40%. Trump continues to lead his nearest Republican challenger by 19 points. Cruz and Rubio show moderate gains.

And see, "UMass Lowell/7News: Daily Tracking Poll of New Hampshire Voters, Release 5 of 8":

Trump Leads by 19; Race is Tightening

Meanwhile, after losing the expectations game in Iowa, businessman and reality television personality Donald Trump continues to lead his nearest Republican challenger by 19 points. Trump is garnering support from 34% of Republican primary voters; he is down two points from Wednesday’s release and four points since our first release before the Iowa Caucus. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who had previously gained in every day of our tracking poll, remains at 15%, unchanged from yesterday. Ted Cruz is at 14% (no change), John Kasich is at 8% (+1), Jeb Bush is at 8% (no change), Chris Christie is at 5% (no change), Ben Carson is at 4% (no change), Carly Fiorina is at 3% (no change), of Republican Primary Likely Voters 8% remain undecided.

Soft Support: 42% of Republicans Still Could Change Their Minds

Republican primary voters, however, are still making up their minds. In addition to the 8% who remain undecided, 42% say that they could change their mind...

Well, the "soft support" likely means that Saturday's GOP debate could have a real impact.

Stay tuned...