Lindsey Graham has now decided to suspend his campaign for the Republican nomination.  Scott Walker, Rick Perry and Bobby Jindal suspended earlier.  As we approach January and then the important Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire primary, South Carolina primary, and Nevada caucuses, what’s next in the Republican presidential race?  The Republican contest started with 17 candidates, it’s now down to about a dozen.  We know Trump consistently leads nationally.  We know Cruz has moved ahead in Iowa with his grassroots, analytics based campaign.  We know Christie has recently moved up in New Hampshire.  Where do we stand?  Who will drop out next? …

At times it was really a bit heated on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.  As we fast approach the Iowa caucuses, there was more pressure on the Republican presidential candidates to try to boost their poll numbers in front of a national audience.  There were squabbles and stressed expressions and a few light-hearted moments.  But, who were the winners?  Will Trump maintain his sizable, national lead in the polls?  Will Cruz continue on top in Iowa?  Will Carson stop his decline?  Plus, who won the Cruz – Rubio battle for #2 spot?  Did Bush improve his numbers?  Here’s are my thoughts…

The latest Monmouth University poll was released on Monday and Cruz now is in the #1 spot in Iowa.  Importantly, Carson dropped 19% since the last Monmouth University poll in which Carson was in the #1 spot.  That, of course, seems to trace back to voters perceiving Carson as weak on global terrorism.  Carson voters appear to have largely moved to Cruz.  Now, we are about eight weeks from the Iowa caucuses and about nine weeks from the New Hampshire primary.  Cruz appears to be gaining momentum, not only in Iowa, but also nationally.  Will Cruz now cruise to the Republican nomination?  Let’s discuss the Republican…