Care to guess which network news is most trusted? Don’t bother. Here it is: Fox News 28% CNN 13% CBS 9% NBC 8% ABC 7% MSNBC 5.9% COMEDY CENTRAL 4.8%. That’s correct. MSNBC beats Comedy Central by only one per cent. They’re both equally funny.
Obviously, we are on poll over load for this weeks South Carolina primary. Here’s the latest as of Thursday morning, 2/18 from Fox News. Note first figure is now. To the right is as of last December. Trump 32% was 35%, Cruz 19% was 14%, Rubio 15% was 14%, Carson 9% was 15%, Bush 9% was 5%, Kasich 6% was 1%. For all his unworthiness, Cruz is running a good campaign. He now leads Trump amongst very conservative voters by 2%. Trump had been ahead by 14%. White Evangelicals finds Trump still ahead by 8%. It had been by 19%. However, veterans have increased their support of Trump by 8% now at 37% while Cruz stayed at 22%. This poll comes after last Saturday’s debate. Besides Evangelicals, veterans are a strong S. Carolina contigent
Of note Marco Rubio has increased his strength in all categories. He is up 1% in the over all poll. However, he is up 5% in Evangelicals and up 4% with those who call themselves very conservative. Endorsements seldom mean much in voting. But, this one might make a difference in South Carolina. With an 80% popular rating in her State, Gov. Nicki Haley, Senator Tim Scott and well known Congressman Trey Gouty have all now endorsed Rubio.
Those losing soundly in the South Carolina primary may begin dropping out. Jeb Bush is not expected to do well even with his mother and brother, W. Bush campaigning for him. Same for Dr. Carson. Kasich is more questionable. Campaign funds might decide the issue with Carson and Kasich. And, Bush may finally realize there is no hope if he cannot perform well in the State where President Geo. W. Bush remains very popular. Those three make a total possibly of 24% of the vote. Trump is not a likely second choice for most. He’s pretty well topped out. It boils down to a strong possibility Rubio will gain the majority of the drop outs support. Especially after those major endorsements. True, significant conjecture here. But, quite possible. Majority of that 24% would make a huge difference moving on from South Carolina. Throughout this long campaign, Rubio has been shown to have the widest lead in beating Hillary. Trump the least. Cruz is unelectable. South Carolina is important, but not critical. Remember Newt Gingrich won easily there four years ago. And then poof.
On the Democrat side of matters, Hillary Clinton is in near panic mode in possibly losing this weeks Nevada caucus where she once led by +20%. It is now a tie with Bernie Sanders. She should win convincingly in South Carolina as we still await a negative FBI report. Right now nationally Sanders is polling higher than her. Even beating some Republican candidates. But, it won’t last. Still a decent chance of others entering the Presidential race such as ex New York Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg who likely would be the death knell for Democrat hopes for retaining the White House. Bloomberg would overwhelmingly gain from Democrat voters.
I’ll leave you readers on a “Fearless Fostick” note of another shameful act by President Obama. He is about to become the first President in 80 years to not attend the funeral of a Supreme Court justice. In this case the iconic Antonin Scalia. Instead he is flying to Cuba for only goodness knows what. His edict as always…make enemies of your friends and friends with your enemies. What a guy. Ten months and counting.
Stay with www.jacksjargon.com for the latest on the campaign trail and this weeks South Carolina primary.