New Hampshire

The second round is over.  And there are some surprises, some confirmation of predictions, and as has been usual in this looney tunes year of Presidential politics, a lot of head scratching.

On the Democratic side it was predictable that Bernie would win big.  And he did.  Really big.  Hillary's humiliation continues.  Oh she's putting on a good face and "eagerly" moving on to South Carolina, but she got beat like a tight drum.  I mean shellacked!  In the last few days she brought out Bubba, Madeline Albright, and Gloria Steinham to rally the troops.  Now there is a group.  Bernie is tapping into the younger vote so Hillary brings out the geriatric set.  What that was going to get her is beyond me.  She is just so awful.  And the good news is that it seems like the Dems are starting to implode.  I mean, they all have to know deep down that a 74 year-old Socialist doesn't have a remote prayer of the chance in the national election.  They have to know.  You can see them fighting more and more every day.  If the Dems are fighting each other, that is a good thing.  Dick Morris has a pretty good piece over at The Hill.  You can read it here.  And the Clinton machine thinks that it doesn't matter what they do because she's going to march to the coronation.  But she still has this little thing about emails hanging over her head.  I've gone on and on and on about it over the months as has many news outlets, but let me just repeat one thing.  She must be indicted.  Thee is no way around it.  Simple as that.  If she is not indicted, then we should see mass resignation from the FBI and the Justice Department.  She is spinning about classified emails, but it's not about that.  It's about SAP material on her unsecured server.  Again, anyone else and they'd be making little rocks out of big rocks.  No question about it.  So what happens when she goes down?  Good question.  Oh Joe...Joe...you there?

On the Republican side it's just as goofy but in a different way.  I'd be typing all night if I tried to describe the last shenanigans from the last week.  So here's my take on these guys for what it's worth:

• Trump--no one thought he'd survive.  No one thought he could win.  Everyone thought he was too shallow, too brash, too crude.  And he is all those things.  Be here we are.  He wins Iowa and goes into South Carolina with momentum.  Can he go all the way?  Good question.  3 months ago I would have said no way.  Today?  Don't know.  I'm not a fan, but he's better than any of the Dems.  At least he's got a positive message.  How he would act sorta scares me though.
• Kasich--spent a lot of time and money.  Surprised everyone at 2nd.  He was my guy but he faded too far.  Still talks too much about the past instead of the future.  I've heard that he is running out of money.  But maybe this 2nd place finish will bring in some funding.  I hope so.  And I still think he'd make the best President of the group
• Bush--Jeb benefitted from Christie's attack on Rubio.  No doubt about it.  I think he's on life support.  Of course, he has a the Bush machine and a lot of money so he'll continue.  But I still don't think he has a chance.  It's only a matter of time.
• Cruz--Jackass.  Simple as that.  Still can't get past the sleaze factor.  Wish he'd get thumped by someone and put in his place.  Don't know if it'd happen though.  Really hope he isn't the last man standing.  Because if he is, I'd have to hold my nose pretty tight to vote for him.
• Rubio--Christie did a number on him at the debate.  And his speech tonight was almost perfect.  He took responsibility.  Rare in a politician.  And admirable.  So now we'll see.  I think he can come back.  But we'll see.  
• Christie--Did what he wanted by trashing Rubio.  Or rather getting Rubio to trash himself.  So he took out Rubio for New Hampshire.  But I think he also took himself out.  Came across as too much of a bully.  Too prosecutorial.  I think he's done.  He went all in for New Hampshire and didn't get near what he needed.  If he doesn't drop out he's just wasting time.
• Florina--She's done.  Like her a lot but it isn't happening.  She needs to go.
• Carson--I'll say what everyone says and what I've said before.  Nice guy.  Not a President.  He may stay, but he's done.

So now it's on to South Carolina.  It just keeps getting more interesting.