I know, I know: you want to fire them all today. Unfortunately, the system doesn’t work that way. You have to let the process play itself out.
Here are my predictions:
1. Tier One: Candidates relegated to the JV debates: You’re already fired.
2. Tier Two:
a. Mike Huckabee: No money, very restricted message, no hope. Hits the
bricks after he loses in Iowa.
b. Chris Christie: Cashes in his chips after losing in New Hampshire.
c. John Kasich: Occupies roughly the same ideological space as Jeb!, but
has no money. Exits gracefully after losing in New Hampshire.
3. Tier Three:
a. Scott Walker: Evil Eagle Scout departs to a chorus of indifference
after a poor showing on Super Tuesday.
b. Ben Carson: Also gets the boot after Super Tuesday.
c. Carly Fiorina: Becomes a prime contender for VP after Super Tuesday.
4. The Finalists:
a. Jeb Bush: Has enough money to overcome losses in early primaries.
Knows how to run a nationwide campaign. Calendar becomes more
favorable after Super Tuesday.
b. Donald Trump: Numbers will erode over time, but has too much
money and ego to quit.
c. Marco Rubio: Has enough money and support to fight to the end.
d. Ted Cruz: Ditto.
e. Rand Paul: His father kept going under similar circumstances, so
why wouldn’t he? Has Conservative Libertarian space all to himself.
And the winner is. . . It’s too early to tell.