They had no idea of the monster they were creating. They can't control it now.

Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.
.....
The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom.... I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are?... I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of "conservatism."

- Barry Goldwater, (1909–1998), five-term US Senator, Republican Party nominee for President in 1964*, Maj. Gen., US Air Force Reserves, author of The Conscience of a Conservative.

http://www.religiousrightwatch.com/2007/12/the-berry-goldw.html

Not saying the stupid in this country is not deep enough to not elect Trump POTUS (though, Carson is a serious stretch), but the republicans will have dodged a MAJOR bullet if they come out of the primaries with Rubio as the nominee.

He is a asshat like all the other R pols, but he has the material they can work with - looks and the capacity to play the part, which is what they like in a POTUS - Reagen, Bush II ...

The people want a major shift in direction, away from the corporate-owned Washington insiders. Of all the GOP candidates, Hillary might win against Rubio just because no one from either party will show up to vote. If she goes up against anyone else, the GOP will show up in droves and the Democrats and left-leaning Independents voters will flounder in the tapioca miasma that is Clinton.

I am reminded of the radio message announcing the start of the invasion of Normandy in the movie, The Longest Day. "Wounds my heart with a monotonous languor" was the line from a poem which foreshadowed the weak morale that brought the French occupiers to their knees. This is Clinton.

Our best chance is Sanders, at this point.

Just an observation.

Jeb won't be the nominee, but Trump quite possibly could. The corporate masters don't want Trump, but Rubio is the only insider that has a chance to challenge Trump.

At this point, it looks like we'll be facing ether Trump or Rubio with Trump looking more likely. If it is Clinton vs Trump, then Clinton is toast, because Trump will draw Independents (and a too many Dems I suspect) and it will be a simple matter to whip up the GOP base to stand against Clinton. If it is Clinton vs Rubio, then she might have a chance just because of low voter turnout on both sides.

On the Demo side, Hillary has the corporate masters backing her and an okay ground game when it comes to mostly elderly women voters, but thats about it. The polls are at best mixed and still showing Sanders quite strong. With the obvious brown nosing from DWS and her ilk, this primary season is just going to hurt Clinton by discouraging Democrats who are looking for a real leader. With Clinton's heavy investment in polling research, it is fairly easy to argue that her popularity in recent polls might be a product based on which campaign is paying for the research. What is obvious is that most Independents and a large portion of Democrats are at best lukewarm to someone as untrustworthy as HRC (and when you throw in her fealty to the 1%, it only looks worse).

If the DNC/DLC asswipes would pull their collective heads out of the collective ass of the corporate master race, we could have a President ready to work for the people rather than Clinton using our friends and neighbors to shine a crown she probably will never wear.

that Trump doesn't stand a chance in the general and that Rubio does.

Rubio has been my great fear from the beginning.

From what I've seen, at this point, Bush and Clinton would be tied in a national election, in terms of popular vote.

My sincere apologies to those who actually suffer from Tourette's. Trump does not have a medical reason for his bizarre behavior.

... Jeb Bush is languishing at 5%, behind fellow dead horses Rand Paul and Carly Fiorina.

So Jeb's getting less media coverage than those other two, eh? Errrr, no. How strange.

Pay close attention in the coming weeks & months to how he'll be manouevred quietly back into 'pole position' for the GOP nomination from his current train wreck of a campaign.

"A resurgent Jeb Bush..." the corporate media will crow in unison, following the script Karl Rove / AFP puts before them.

This man is walking, talking (make that mumbling) zero charisma. On top of being totally unqualified for the job.

Let's look at the history of the Republican caucus in Iowa:

1988 : Poppy Bush finished THIRD behind Pat Robertson (Dole wins)

2008 : Huckabee wins

2012 : Santorum "ties" Romney