Ted Cruz Front-Running in Iowa; Sarah Palin Seems to Back Rand Paul, At Least As Between Paul and Christie

I can't believe we're talking about this but I guess, whatever. Slow news day.

In the Iowa caucuses, which has an almost perfect track record of predicting who Iowa GOP stalwarts think is the most authentic when eating corndogs and that famous Midwest barbecue, Ted Cruz seems to be an early favorite.

From all accounts, Santorum was a popular speaker; the social conservative crowd appreciated not only his positions but the enormous effort he has made to get to know the state of Iowa and its conservative residents.

But Santorum’s welcome could not compare to the wildly enthusiastic reception for Cruz. Joined by his pastor father, Rafael Cruz — he was a big hit, too — the Texas freshman senator wowed the crowd, and then wowed them again.

“The reception for Santorum was appreciative, consistent, and steady,” Bob Vander Plaats, head of the Family Leader and organizer of the event, told me via email. “The anticipation for and reception of Cruz was over the top. He was propelled by an amazing speech by his father, Rafael. All that said, Cruz delivered. Most walked away talking Cruz!”

I should say that Byron York begins this column by saying that there are absolutely zero polls showing Cruz ahead in Iowa, but this is his take from talking to a few intense partisans.

Which is basically what a caucus is so whatever.

Palin, meanwhile, says she's on "Team Rand" in the Paul-Christie dispute, and that Christie isn't really "rogue," but just does confrontational YouTube videos to seem like he is.

posted by Ace at 05:57 PM

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