It Seems Like the "Top-Tier" Has Changed

In one of my first blogs, I posted about how according to various media sources there seemed to be a "top-tier" of candidates in the race for the Republican nomination. The former "top-tier" consisted of Michele Backmann, Mitt Romney, and Rick Perry. However, this is far from being the case when one looks at the race now. The race is currently a neck-to-neck battle between the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza Herman Cain and the business oriented Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney. Cain and his catchy 9-9-9 plan have contributed to his rise in the polls, as I have discussed in previous blog entries. Romney continues to maintain his powerful force in the race through his strong debates and credentials from both a business and political standpoint. The Iowa Poll has recently shown that Cain has a very narrow lead over Romney with 23% while the Governor from Massachusetts has 22%. According to a survey conducted by CNN, 25% of Arizona Republicans claim that if the primary was held today. Like in the Iowa Poll, Romney only trails him by just one percent. As for the former members of the "top-tier", they are just hanging on by a thread. What could have led to their demise?

The reasons for Perry's fall are obvious in many ways. As I have discussed previously, the about the sign titles "n*****head" in front of his family's Texas ranch makes the task of marketing himself to be the nations next president close to impossible. Also, during last weeks debate in Las Vegas Perry clearly does not have adequate debating skills. He took a jab at Mitt Romney and it completely backfired on him. Instead of fulfilling his objective which was too make Mitt Romney look like a hypocrite, Romney turned his argument on him and made Perry look like a fool. In fact, Perry has even admitted that he regrets participating in the debates. When he has answered questions regarding his inadequate performance in the debates, he has claimed that America is looking for the "slickest" candidate, which has proven to be Mitt Romney. He has also acted on impulse during his campaign. Perry has claimed that those who oppose his views on immigration as "having no hearts." Clearly, the main reason why Perry has dropped in the polls is because he fails to meet the criteria for holding himself in a certain decorum that is expected of candidates who are running for office.

As for Bachmann, the hands that have fed her in the past are now withdrawing their support for her. Bachmann has been the Tea Party's favorite candidate, and now the Tea Party is urging her to withdraw from the race. Ned Ryun, president of the well-known Tea Party group called American Majority has said that "It's time for Michele Bachmann to go." Many people in this group are questioning her motives for running in the first place. American Majority Director Matt Robbins claims that "I think it's pretty obvious that Michele Bachmann is about Michele Bachmann." In other words, it seems like she is running to promote herself. Although her support from the Tea Party has led to her victory in the Iowa Star Poll, it seems like people are starting to see through her act which could very well be the source for her lack of support.

Links used:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/27/tea-party-group-to-bachmann-quit-the-presidential-race/

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/29/8540931-iowa-poll-cain-romney-top-field-ahead-of-caucuses

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/26/poll-romney-cain-on-top-in-arizona/

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/25/perry-expresses-regret-over-taking-part-in-debates/