Despite almost everyone agreeing the GOP debates need to be trimmed to the top 5, 6, or 7 – CNN has decided, yet again, to put nine candidates on the prime-time debate stage and four remain at the lower-tier debate.

(Rand Paul previously hinted that if he was not on the prime-time stage he would withdraw):

(Via CNN) […]  CNN’s debate, which will be held in Las Vegas and is the fifth of the primary season, is the first to use early-state polls as a way to make the main event in prime-time. Candidates must meet one of three criteria in polls conducted between October 29 and December 13 and recognized by CNN: an average of at least 3.5% nationally; at least 4% in Iowa; or at least 4% in New Hampshire. (more…)

According to the latest Des Moines Register Poll, (full pdf below) of 400 Republican caucus goers, candidate Ted Cruz has surged into the lead with 31% support – a gain of 21 points since DMR’s previous polling:

According to the Des Moines Register Cruz’s ascent is the largest and fastest rise in the history of Iowa Caucus polling. (read full analysis)

(more…)

Donald Trump town hall even in Aiken South Carolina – 12/12/15  Prompted to beginning of Town Hall event at 11:00 minute mark:

https://youtu.be/AWSVmgaJt_s?t=11m

Just announced:

…“We should have a temporary ban on refugees coming here until it’s clear that there aren’t any terrorists embedded.”

Just Announced:  Largest Town Hall political meeting in the history of Iowa politics !

Tonight’s Rally/Town Hall – Friday, December 11, 2015 – Des Moines- Varied Industries Building at Iowa State Fair Grounds, Des Moines, IA – 7:30 PM EST  (two options below)

Alternate Live Stream Below (more…)

A summary of political aspects you might find of interest; but first a note that I’ve yet to see anyone bring up.

In an unusually respectful interview between CNN host Don Lemon and Donald Trump, there was a moment when Lemon paused and thoughtfully asked if Trump was prepared to lose a significant amount of his wealth over his ‘controversial’ Muslim policy statement to pause immigration.

The response from Trump was not covered nor discussed, but it speaks volumes to understanding the candidate.   He simply replied: none of that matters, none of that money matters, what I’m doing is trying to make America Great again…

In essence, a literal modern version of putting his life, his fortune and his sacred honor all on the line – for us. (more…)

When Donald Trump entered the race with 8% support, the professionally political said he could never get beyond 10% – Because that was his “ceiling”.

♦ When Trump passed 10% they said he’ll never pass 15% – that’s his “ceiling”…
Trump visited the border region and began campaigning

♦ When Trump passed 15%, they said he’ll never pass 20% – that’s his “ceiling”…
Trump continued campaigning – the crowds grew well beyond 10,000

♦ Then Trump passed 20%, so they said he’ll never pass 25% – that’s his “ceiling”….
Trump continued campaigning – the crowds swelled beyond 20,000

♦ So Trump passed 25%, and they said he’ll never pass 30% – because that’s his “ceiling”…
Trump continued campaigning – the crowds continued to swell – tens of thousands

♦ Then Trump passed 30%, they said he’ll never pass 35% – because that’s his “ceiling”…
More campaigning – More Crowds – Bigger Venues

♦ Then Trump passed 35%, the pundits quickly said he’ll never pass 40% – because that’s his ceiling….

Well: (more…)

Senator Ted Cruz relies on two essential political elements to keep his “conservative” ruse afloat. The first is that people don’t follow “unanimous consent” passages in the Senate; the second is that people don’t follow “cloture votes” – Both of which are never recorded “roll call votes”, and allow candidates to obscure their intent and later claim a counter position.

It’s a good trick, and indeed fools almost everyone.  Unless, that is, you’re tracking them while they occur…

Red Circled Candidates All Support Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement (TPP)

CASE IN POINT – HR2146 (TPA “Trade Promotion Authority” or “Fast Track”): This House Bill #2146 originating April 30th ’15, became the vehicle for passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

HR2146 was originally introduced in the House of Representatives as a bill to address issues with retirement funds of federal law enforcement officers and firefighters.

BACKSTORY – In the beginning of the congressional session, with Republicans now in control of both the House and Senate, in Feb-March-April of 2015,  Senator Ted Cruz and House Ways and Means Chairman, Representative Paul Ryan, supported Trade Promotion Authority being added to HR2146.

Their support was most notable when they posted the following Op-Ed which appeared in the Wall Street Journal on April 22nd: (more…)

Matt Drudge Was RIGHT – “Stay off Their Platforms“

Last month we revealed that Breitbart.com was data-mining for the Ted Cruz campaign. Now, another report shows how Ted Cruz is using a Zuckerberg assisted Facebook Surveillance program to track, monitor and target YOU.

( Via Veterans Today ) Ted Cruz using firm that harvested data on millions of unwitting Facebook users Exclusive: Documents reveal donor-funded US startup embedded in Republican’s campaign paid UK university academics to collect psychological profiles on potential voters.

Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign is using psychological data based on research spanning tens of millions of Facebook users, harvested largely without their permission, to boost his surging White House run and gain an edge over Donald Trump and other Republican rivals, the Guardian can reveal. (more…)

We have previously outlined the approach the Karl Rove/Lee Atwater GOPe types will use to take down Ted Cruz. –HERE– Cruz supporters are intensely committed to avoid vetting him and this presents a serious issue because when you don’t confront the problems you set yourself up for severe failure.

The approach of “proselytizing as an electoral strategy” will bring money from intensely religious followers – but can never win a broad based election. The following article from 2013 highlights how the GOPe will bring down Cruz as soon as his usefulness is expired.

[2013 – TEXAS] In a sermon last year at an Irving, Texas, megachurch that helped elect Ted Cruz to the United States Senate, Cruz’ father Rafael Cruz indicated that his son was among the evangelical Christians who are anointed as “kings” to take control of all sectors of society, an agenda commonly referred to as the “Seven Mountains” mandate, and “bring the spoils of war to the priests”, thus helping to bring about a prophesied “great transfer of wealth”, from the “wicked” to righteous gentile believers.

[video, below: excerpts from Rafael Cruz sermon, and from the July 2013 anointing of Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz] (more…)