How are the presidential campaigns doing?
Hillary Clinton: C+
Hillary Clinton
The Clinton Campaign decided on a slow rollout, leading with an upbeat, positive announcement video. Nothing in the way of political combat so far. The campaign offered a light touch on positioning as the campaign seeks to gather up support on the Left. Clinton made income inequality a central issue rhetorically, but offered little on policy. Clinton did little in Iowa sans meeting a few voters and some scripted made for future ads comments.
In my view this is a campaign that knows it has a lot of kinks to get worked out as the team finds a way to work together. Appropriate and wise. Yet, despite the caution, no major errors were made which I'm sure has Downtown Brooklyn breathing a sigh of relief. But, it isn't unreasonable to expect a little bit more next week in New Hampshire.
Ted Cruz: B-
Sen. Ted Cruz
The Cruz Campaign went into full swing and raised an impressive $4.3 million in the final nine days of March. His small dollar donors were significant, showing a potent fundraising apparatus. However, being Ted Cruz, he simply couldn't open his mouth and sound like a president. Nutcase fringe is his game and his hope is that it will be enough. So far, his message is highly targeted at the people who already support him. His televangelist style of operation is smart for now. TV preachers know their customers well and suspect they will be a potent source for Cruz in the form of volunteers and money.
I think the Cruz Campaign is doing well as can be expected from people like them. His campaign is off to a good start, but not good enough so that he can keep Huckabee from eating into his base. In other words, he didn't scare Huckabee off so his long term fortunes look bleak at this point.
Rand Paul: F
Sen. Rand Paul
The Paul Campaign basically bungled everything, from his lackluster announcement speech, ridiculous media interviews, and lack of agility on the hustings. I think the campaign figures the candidate is smarter than he really is. I expect they will push him back into more controlled settings as he does not have the charisma of even his father.
I dont expect Paul's expansion of the electorate strategy is going to work. Mainly because so far he sucks as a national candidate and can't deliver the goods like the true Ron Paul devotees want. Seems to me he is moving as quickly as possible into the GOP mainstream, but without the backing of the Establishment. He will end up losing both if his campaign continues like this.
Marco Rubio: C
Sen. Marco Rubio
Rubio won the Washington Media Establishment seal of approval for a. giving them a reason to go to Miami and b. giving them plenty of access. I expect they are going to lavish love on him and he is likely to get good press for the foreseeable near future. His announcement speech was well delivered and well staged and he positioned himself well.
However, Rubio did not deal with the lingering problem of being the immigration Senator who failed and the GOP hasn't forgotten it. That's not a minor issue, but a big problem in a party where old rural white men are the dominant vote. By choosing to wait to deal with it by contrasting himself with Clinton, he is clearly scared of this issue. He's got to figure out what to do about this and his campaign so far has offered no indication they have a clue.
Im only scoring the officially declared candidates. So no thoughts on Scott Walker or Martin O'Malley or Jeb Bush. But I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on anybody!