Christie to NH: Cruz, Rubio, not ready to lead

Unlike past candidates who found love in Iowa but fizzled fast, Cruz argued Tuesday that his campaign has staying power, resources and broad appeal.

Rath said the Kasich team is counting on at least a third of the turnout in next Tuesday’s GOP primary being independents – or unaffiliated, in New Hampshire parlance.

Indeed, the once-unthinkably-small margin between the former first lady, senator and secretary of state over the self-declared democratic socialist suggested the Democratic contest is headed toward a protracted fight between the party’s pragmatic and progressive wings. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, tied at 11.5%.

Trump and Sanders enjoy healthy leads over their rivals in New Hampshire, though a recent WMUR/CNN New Hampshire primary poll contained some cautionary notes. It’s worked for some candidates in the past and been fatal for others.

Yet Ted Cruz backers were even more buoyant-not only about his first place finish, but what some viewed as a sign of weakness in Donald Trump.

He had turned the page on Iowa and was back holding town-hall meetings and a rally in New Hampshire before the votes were tallied.

What about Sen. Marco Rubio being the establishment candidate after a surprisingly close third place finish in Iowa? “It matters some in New Hampshire, but the New Hampshire voters are fiscal conservative and I can tell you after having campaigned up there, national security is a very big deal”.

On the serious side of life, the Republican race also has Jeb Bush (who has been about as exciting as Mr. Rogers), Marco Rubio (non-existent), Chris Christie (B-squad), Ron Paul (forgettable) and John Kasich. “But since 1952, when candidate names were added to the ballot, New Hampshire has had a unique role; and the candidates and the country respect the care that New Hampshire voters take in selecting their choice for President”. Obama’s speech that night, Bush told about 200 employees at a grocery supply wholesaler, was “pretty moving, it was pretty powerful”.

Rubio didn’t win Iowa but he was a big a victor there. He lost so bad in Iowa he came in sixth place.

“If we get someone who really has a chance of doing something, I’m ready”, he said.

Trump, meanwhile, offered a rare glimpse of humility in reaction to the Iowa results while still projecting confidence in the contest ahead. “I think youre going to start seeing a swing that way”. Before the voting, the last Iowa polls showed Trump on top.

“South Carolina is a really natural fit for Jeb”, said Kinzinger.

“Our voters are tough, and they’re secure, and we just keep going”.

Predicting New Hampshire voters would reward his style of retail politics, he said, “No one does this better than we do”.

“It’s less a number in the race, it’s who we beat, who’s behind us that matters the most because that will help us consolidate support and money and all the rest”, Christie had said Monday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Over more than a year, Christie’s spent far more time in New Hampshire and Iowa than he has in the state he runs, and he’s gotten a lot of criticism for it.

But at the end, Sanders chalked his success in Iowa up to frustration with “a rigged economy” in which most wealth has flowed to the top one percent, while Americans work longer hours for lower wages, with little hope for education or affordable healthcare.

But in New Hampshire, Sanders is well ahead in what officially became a two-person race Monday night after former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley dropped out of the race after registering less than 1% in Iowa.