I went for a long run at lunch and thought about nothing but the election. I hate to say it, but I am starting to realize that we're in for President Rubio.
I don't know exactly what happens in NH for the GOP but I don't think it matters. Trump's star is in its decline and the GOP is going to let him flame himself out. Trump was all about being perceived as a winner and now that fantasy has been pricked, he's going to decline to middle of the pack and then he's absolutely done.
Meanwhile, the race is going to come down to Cruz vs Rubio, and there is not one person in the universe, apart from his wife, that can look at Ted Cruz's fat fucking face for so long without vomiting. Plus, Rubio's battles with Cruz will make him appear much more moderate, reasonable and attractive. While starting off slow-ish in Iowa and even possibly NH, he starts to really pick up as Trump fades. He becomes the "Oh thank god" candidate and he secures the nomination.
Meanwhile, Hillary and Bernie continue to pound each other out, and this drags into March/April. Hillary, suddenly realizing she's getting Baracked again, goes intensely negative. Bernie responds in turn, and by the time Hillary limps over the finish line, she's badly wounded. Even worse, the perception will be that she barely beat someone she should've trounced, while Rubio defeated the evil forces conspiring to kill the Republican Party. To middle-of-the-spectrum undecideds, Rubio seems energetic, poised, passionate, plus voting for the first Hispanic president gives everyone a warm feeling.
Going into the general, Rubio will have major wind at his back as the GOP breathes a sigh of relief that they didn't shit the bed completely with Trump or Cruz. Plus here's their chance to get the White House back! Republicans are fired up and ready to go. Meanwhile, Hillary has crushed the hopes and dreams of the progressives who were inspired by Bernie. She'll still have her defenders but she'll get frantic when Rubio consistently polls better than her, and her shrillness will thoroughly turn off those Democrats who would've sucked it up and voted for her. On Election Day, Rubio wins decidedly.
