New data is showing the net results of the debates.In the NBC poll, Ted Cruz passed Walker and Bush, and moved to second place.  That’s a gain of 7% for Cruz.  Fiorina also showed a surge in support, moving up by 6%.  That leaves her tied for fourth place.

There is a lot of buzz about the debates.  Political junkies are having a field day.  Pollsters are making lots of money.  The reality is that while the debate gave candidates an opportunity to shine (or like Christie, Bush and Walker… lose support), the real test is yet to come.  It’s the MONEY test.

Money raised is the make or break test for candidates in major political contests.  Regardless of who wins or loses debates, the real contest begins as the money spending begins.  Bush will make significant strides when he starts spending the $120 million dollars he has raised.  He is solidly in first place in the money race, despite his fifth place standing in this poll.  Second place money raiser, Cruz ($52.5 million), also comes in second in this recent poll.  That keeps him seriously in the running.

Still to be seen is the impact the debate has on the money raising.  If the money follows debate results, Cruz will move even more solidly into his position as the conservative leader.  Fiorina will probably get enough of a boost to at least keep her in the race for awhile.

Walker and Rubio deserve honorable mention in the fund raising department, with $26 and $42 million, respectively.  The $10 to $15 million dollar men are Perry, Christie, Paul, Kasich, Carson and Jindal.  All of that money could make for a lot of fireworks as the contest moves forward.

Anything could happen, but right now, the best positioned candidates are Cruz and Bush, which gives primary voters a clear choice between a Conservative and an establishment candidate.

Conservatives… keep your eye on Cruz!

***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***

“It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”

 

 

 

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