GOP: Where do we go from here?

Last night was a whirlwind that kept spinning towards the favor of Mr. Trump and Sec. Clinton. But just how fast was that spin really? I’ll mostly focus on the Republican side from here.

One can no longer deny the fact that many Americans are fed up with the Washington Establishment and would really like someone with Trump’s rhetoric to take office next January. He’s almost on track to wipe the table clean, but there are still many votes to be cast. No campaign has any more room for error, and the bets that have been made can’t fall short.

Here’s a brief recap as we prepare for the rest of month’s (and the cycle’s votes):

Donald Trump
Like him or not, he knows what he’s doing. His team is ever slow cleverly shifting the game towards him. One can rarely use precedence when speculating things because Trump is his own personal brand that bolsters his way into a conversation. He’s turned the “game” on its head.

Nevertheless, he knows that now is the time to appear as presidential as ever, showing restraint when necessary—threatening only when the crowd is primed and ready. Trump’s mission now is to secure the win in FL and appear as “not so bad” to the Republican leadership.

Ted Cruz
Even though Sen. Cruz didn’t win Arkansas, he still had a very good night. He needed a win in Texas to stay alive, but he finished the night with two additional states: Oklahoma and Alaska. He also separated himself quite considerably from Marco Rubio in the delegate count, somewhere around 100 ahead. It’s also worth noting that Ted Cruz took second place in many more states than originally predicted, further providing leverage that he has the “Senator lane.”

From here, Cruz needs to keep the momentum going by capturing all of Ben Carson’s support; he can’t afford for any of Carson’s “healers” to jump over to Trump. Furthermore, Cruz needs to learn how to stand firm with integrity but also start to play nicer with the Hill. While I respect him for defending the Constitution and keeping his word to Texans, it’s not good when few people like you in our “office.” He’ll also need to prove that he’s electable outside the South. The Alaska win and second place finish in Minnesota help, but he needs the full court press now.

Marco Rubio
I once said that this race would come down to Trump, Rubio, and Kasich, but that was before Super Tuesday. Mostly, I’m disappointed that his campaign hasn’t delivered. Similar to Jeb Bush, he’s had all the endorsements and campaign cash necessary to make it happen. But I also know that this is the outsiders’ cycle, and Marco hasn’t straddled that line very well.

The Minnesota win gives him enough life to make it through March 15th, but it’s still a shame. He mostly stayed comfortable in the 3rd place spot last night. Sure, he ran a tight race in Virginia, but he took most of the time afterwards to complain, saying I would have won had it not been for Kasich and Carson. This statement may have some truth to it, but don’t whine. This is a time when voters want presidential; we want thoughtful. Even with Trump’s crudeness, he dishes it (and takes it) better than Rubio.

From here, Rubio has to win FL. And if Bobby Jindal’s endorsement carries any weight in LA, a win there could help spin the story leading up to FL. I just don’t see it happening. It’s unfortunate that he’ll basically need to spend the next two weeks in Florida instead of going out to other states because he doesn’t know if FL has his back.

John Kasich
Honestly, he did exactly what was needed last night. Some might not like that he’s still in the race, but he put up good numbers—Vermont and Massachusetts especially. The truth is this: where John spends his time, people respond well. It’s definitely a huge risk to play “retail politics” for so long, but it’s giving him enough life to stay at least until March 15th. As with Ted and Marco, the home state is do or die, and I think John can do it in Ohio.

From here, he needs a win there and big finishes in Michigan, Mississippi, and Illinois. As long as he continues to be the “adult in the room,” folks will give him a second look (and the needed cash). It’s not over for John Kasich yet, and America is waking up to that notion again.