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Bush, Kasich Vying for 2nd Place (and Top Governor) in New Hampshire

It should go without saying that all nine candidates still in contention for the Republican presidential nomination would love to come in first place in today’s New Hampshire primary, but it seems likely that businessman Donald Trump has that position locked down – recent polling shows him with a significant lead over his rivals, and his lead in the RealClearPolitics.com average of polls is 17 points.

So the real contest would seem to be for second place, although there is also ... Read More >>

Clarity After New Hampshire? Don’t Bet on It

Republicans seeking clarity in the race for the White House may not find it in New Hampshire after all.

The state has a history of thinning the herd, but this cycle, it may just add to the chaos.

Insiders: Sanders and Trump will win New Hampshire

Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are overwhelming favorites in New Hampshire, but that doesn’t mean Tuesday’s primaries are devoid of drama.

The New Hampshire operatives, strategists and activists who comprise The POLITICO Caucus – most of whom are backing Hillary Clinton or one of the more traditional Republican candidates – don’t believe that anyone can threaten Sanders and Trump for first place, according to a survey conducted on the eve of the first-in-the-nation primary.

The Big Question in New Hampshire: Where Does Rubio Finish?

In their last two presidential primaries, Republicans left New Hampshire with a much clearer view of who would become their party’s White House pick thanks to victories from eventual nominees John McCain and Mitt Romney.

Whether the GOP will gain the same clarity Tuesday night might depend entirely on Marco Rubio’s performance — and if one of a trio of gubernatorial rivals can knock him off his new perch as the pick of the party establishment.

Bush super PAC poll has Jeb in third, Marco in fifth

With just hours to go until primary votes are cast here, a new poll conducted by Jeb Bush’s super PAC finds him moving into third place.

The poll, which was conducted after the end of Saturday night’s debate and concluded before the start of the Super Bowl on Sunday evening, shows Donald Trump with a wide lead over the field with 29 percent.

Christie, Kasich and the miserable month ahead

For John Kasich and Chris Christie, even the dream scenario here is followed by a month-long nightmare.

Both camps have all along banked on a strong showing in New Hampshire to provide a springboard, but even if they beat expectations Tuesday, there’s trouble ahead: a plunge immediately into a string of states inhospitable to their brand of centrist politics.

Republicans scramble for second in New Hampshire

After Iowa, the conventional wisdom about New Hampshire’s Republican primary seemed clear enough: Donald Trump had slipped but was still the state’s frontrunner, Ted Cruz had earned a much-needed victory, and Marco Rubio was set to sweep aside his establishment-lane competition after outperforming the polls all the way to third place in Iowa.