Passion for Politics: Electability Has Been Redefined in 2015

passion for politicsThe wake-up call to establishment Republicans and Democrats alike is finally taking hold.

Donald Trump (Photo courtesy Donald Trump Facebook page)
Donald Trump
(Photo courtesy Donald Trump Facebook page)

The summer’s euphoria over the Donald Trump’s, Carly Fiorina’s, Ben Carson’s and Bernie Sanders’ of the world is not diminishing….it’s increasing! The latest NBC/World Street Journal poll show Trump defeating Hillary in Iowa and Fiorina defeating Clinton by 8 percent in New Hampshire and 14 percent in Iowa. Sanders is also “trumping” Clinton in Iowa by 5 points.

The MSNBC “Morning Joe” show on Monday of this week reported that “All people want to talk about is Trump.” Trump along with Sanders are continuing to attract the largest crowds on the campaign stump. And Trump, Fiorina and Rubio are now regarded as the top media candidates with Hillary being the worst.

Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders (Photo courtesy Bernie Sanders Facebook)

This past Saturday in Franklin, Tennessee, thousands of people waited in the rain to see Trump who were unable to get inside the auditorium due to space limitations. In Oklahoma recently he drew 20,000 plus and earlier in the campaign 35,000 in Mobile and 20,000 in Dallas. Sanders likewise is drawing huge crowds, one estimated last week in Boston at 20,000.

With the two October debates just around the corner (Democrats square off October 13 in Las Vegas and the Republicans October 28 in Boulder,) the fields should start to narrow shortly thereafter. Currently in addition to Sanders and Clinton, the Democrats will feature Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; former RI Governor Lincoln Chafee and former VA Senator James Webb.

Dr. Ben Carson (Photo courtesy Dr. Ben Carson Facebook page)
Dr. Ben Carson
(Photo courtesy Dr. Ben Carson Facebook page)

The Republican debate will focus exclusively on jobs, taxes and the economy. This should provide a significant advantage to the Donald. Currently only the top six candidates are assured a place on the stage (Trump/Carson/Fiorina/Rubio/Bush/Cruz) with Kasich, Huckabee, Christie and Paul still hopeful should their national polling numbers merit.

Although all the emphasis is still focusing on the two early states of Iowa and New Hampshire, South Carolina is in the dugout awaiting the ondeck circle.

Hilary Clinton (Photo courtesy Hilary Clinton Facebook page)
Hilary Clinton
(Photo courtesy Hilary Clinton Facebook page)

Trump has a 15 point lead over second place Carson there while Clinton is swamping Biden by 28 points and Sanders by 35! Presidential politics is a marathon as the candidates and the electorate have rediscovered with one major exception…it’s no longer business as usual at least in the fall of 2015.


Steve Vassallo

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.