By Bob Eschliman
Editor
Well, as we told you yesterday in our presidential poll power rankings, the ABC/Washington Post poll results for the Republican presidential primary race were released this morning. The numbers didn’t change much from the September numbers, but it does put CNBC in an uncomfortable position.
Candidates who are polling in the early states much better than they are nationally, particularly Rick Santorum and Bobby Jindal, are now on the outside looking in, based on CNBC’s debate criteria. We know the pressure to shrink the field is coming from the RNC, but will there be equal pressure to somehow work them in?
The first two debates have proven there is a much better discussion of issues when there are fewer candidates on stage, but the national polling has been heavily skewed to boost candidates who don’t have a prayer of a chance in Iowa in February. That’s not to say Santorum or Jindal do, either, but they’re each polling substantially higher here than the fraction of a percent they’re getting credit for nationally.
The next few days will be interesting, for sure. Just be sure to keep things straight.
Five Things You Need to Know Today
- Get Ready, Iowa — California, the state to which Iowans are about to hand the keys to their children’s education, has a big problem. According to state educrats there, only 2 percent of high school juniors in the Fresno school district are ready for college. CLICK HERE for the full story.
- It’s All My Fault — Mitt Romney says the demise of the legacy media (an artful way to say “the dinosaurs of the lamestream media”) has empowered “conservative insurgents” (people like me) who have prevented more “collaborative action” (newspeak for “unity”). Sorry I’m not sorry. CLICK HERE for the full story.
- Now He’ll Run (With Conditions) — First he was, then he wasn’t. Now he is, again, but with very serious conditions. Paul Ryan doesn’t really want to be Speaker of the House, but he’s found himself thrust into the debate because he appeals to just enough of the establishment and conservatives in his conference. But he won’t do it unless he gets what he wants. CLICK HERE for the full story.
- ‘Clock Boy’ Called Up — If President Obama thinks ISIS is the “JV team,” then “clock boy” Ahmed Mohamed looks like he’s getting called up to the Triple-A team. The boy has announced he is moving to Qatar to take part in an educational opportunity there. CLICK HERE for the full story.
- 30-Month Warning — NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has given the Los Angeles area a 30-month (or less) warning that a magnitude 5.0 or higher earthquake will occur. JPL scientists have been using radar and GPS to measure the probability of a major temblor in the La Habra area, which could result in billions of dollars in damage. CLICK HERE for the full story.
The Story No One is Talking About Today (But Should Be)
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization is now in the process of declaring Jerusalem’s Western Wall — the holiest site of Judaism, and an important pilgrimage place for Christians who visit the city — a Muslim holy site.
According to the Jewish Telegraph Agency, a vote scheduled to take place Tuesday on the proposal that refers to Jerusalem as “the occupied capital of Palestine,” was submitted on behalf of the Palestinians by six Muslim Arab countries: Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. This is a hill Israel would likely be willing to die on.
CLICK HERE for the full story.
Quote of the Day
As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights. Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possession.
— James Madison, National Gazette essay, 1792
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The Daily Bob is posted each weekday at TheIowaStatesman.com. For more Iowa news and politics from a conservative viewpoint, visit our website, “like” us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
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