How the GOP Race Pans Out after Christie Endorsement

[PeteB]

With Christie in his camp, there will be a rush of GOP establishment endorsements for Trump. This will eat heavily into any potential boost for Rubio.

I will now predict that Trump will beat Cruz in Texas and will win every SuperTuesday state except maybe VT. Cruz will be marginalized and forced either to withdraw or run as a protest candidate (which he always was).

I predict Rubio coming under increased attack and losing FL heavily, after which he will either leave or become sidelined.

Past March 15th, this will be a Trump juggernaut with only Kasich providing some opposition (yes I do think Kasich will win OH). Or Trump could get Kasich as his VP and tie it up on March 16th.

[PeteB]

With Christie in his camp, there will be a rush of GOP establishment endorsements for Trump. This will eat heavily into any potential boost for Rubio.

I will now predict that Trump will beat Cruz in Texas and will win every SuperTuesday state except maybe VT. Cruz will be marginalized and forced either to withdraw or run as a protest candidate (which he always was).

Can you explain why you think the endorsement of a crooked New England governor who is best known for hugging Obama will help Trump with Texas Republicans?

Happy to. Because Christie's more moderate positions will encourage some Rubio and even Kasich "establishment" supporters to go for Trump or just give up and not vote. While I  don't think Christie's endorsement willl sway any Cruz supporters, at the last RCP polling average for TX, Rubio was pulling 18% and Kasich was at 7%. With such a tight race a few points going to Trump may be enough for a victory. Of course TX is not a winner take all state but, anything but first, would be a moral loss for Cruz.

[PeteB]

A single endorsement is not going to change the race.

Assuming it stays as a single endorsement, it probably won't.  But there are already rumors of a Giuliani endorsement, and other Republicans know that coming out early (assuming they believe in a Trump victory) will pay higher dividends than sitting on the fence, especially with someone like Trump who takes these things personally.

As I said, I predict that this will be a Trump - Kasich race from March 15th (I am on record regarding this prediction, here on Atlas, so we will see if I am smoking something "really good", or if I am clairvoyant)!

[PeteB]

An interesting admission from Kasich tonight:
Kasich spoke with reporters Friday night after conducting a town hall meeting at the University of Memphis.
Kasich says he was a little surprised when Christie gave his support to Trump. The Ohio governor says he didn't try to pressure Christie and adds that "you couldn't pressure Chris Christie into anything anyway."

Kasich says, "It's just the way life is. It's OK." He says Christie is a friend and always will be.