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Iowa Tossup: Cruz doubles support from October in new Quinnipiac poll, moves within margin of error with Trump

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Photo by Matthew Staver, Bloomberg

In a new Quinnipiac University poll of likely Iowa Republican caucus participants, Ted Cruz has moved to second place with 23%, doubling his support from October. The Texas senator has now moved within the margin of error of frontrunner Donald Trump, who received 25% of support. Ben Carson’s numbers have fallen dramatically since October, down 10 points, from a high of  to 18%, while Senator Marco Rubio’s support remains static at 13%. Jeb Bush received 4% of support, just one point above Senator Rand Paul.

Quinnipiac finds near-universal opposition from Iowa Republicans when it comes to accepting Syrian refugees into the US, with likely voters siding 5-1 in opposition. Iowans think Trump is best when it comes to economic issues (49%), and combating terrorism (30%), while 24% of likely caucus-goers say Cruz is best at tackling foreign policy.

Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll said of the race, “Last month, we said it was Dr. Ben Carson’s turn in the spotlight. Today, the spotlight turns to Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The Iowa Republican Caucus has become a two-tiered contest: Businessman Donald Trump and neurosurgeon Ben Carson lead on the outsider track, and Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio lead among party insiders.”

Bloomberg Politics reporter John McKormick says, “even after months of candidate visits and millions of dollars in campaign ads, many Iowa Republicans interviewed this week don’t seem anywhere close to making their final decision, even though the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses are less than two months away.”

With less than two months till the February 1st Iowa caucus, the air war in the Hawkeye State is ramping up. The months of October and November have seen the biggest number of campaign ads as the race tightens. In light of the shifting polls, expect even more ad spending in Iowa as the date of the caucus nears.

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Reagan Centennial GOP 2012 Debate Moves to September

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The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, in conjunction with its debate partners NBC News and POLITICO, are moving the Reagan Centennial GOP Presidential Primary Candidates Debate from May 2 to September 14, 2011.

Why the change? Seems not enough contenders are willing to toss their hat into the ring this early. Moving the debate to the fall will allow “enough time for the full slate of candidates to participate,” said John Heubusch, executive director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

“The Reagan Foundation prides itself on sponsoring world-class debates in which all of the major candidates in contention can make their point of view known to the widest possible audience,’ said Heubusch. ‘Although there will be a long and impressive list of Republican candidates who eventually take the field, too few have made the commitment thus far for a debate to be worthwhile in early May.“

For more about the move check out POLITICO and read the full release here: http://politi.co/i2Y5U4

GOP To Tampa In 2012

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Get ready to pack the sunscreen.

The Republican National Committee announced today that the 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa-St. Petersburg once the site city agreement is fully negotiated and the full RNC votes for approval this August at its Summer Meeting.

“We are honored and privileged to accept the bid from Tampa, Florida to host the Republican National Convention in 2012. The host committee’s hard work and dedication resulted in a tremendous bid that we are confident will produce a successful event. The Tampa area boasts state-of-the-art facilities, exciting and vibrant downtowns, and a clear enthusiasm from the community to host our convention. We look forward to joining our compatriots in the Sunshine State for our convention in 2012,” said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

POLITICO’s Mike Allen reported earlier today that top Republicans would recommend Tampa as the host city, beating out Phoenix, AZ and Salt Lake City, UT. The convention will be held the week of August 27, 2012.

Check out the full story.