Susan Demas
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Marco Rubio

Susan J. Demas: Trump still thumps GOP competition in Michigan. Can anyone catch him?

If you've seen his red-faced rallies, Donald Trump doesn’t have much use for the opinions of anyone who disagrees with him.

That now goes for Iowans, who handed the braggadocious billionaire a crushing second-place finish last week.

But it looks like Michigan Republicans might just agree with Trump. While many pundits were smugly writing The Donald's political obituary and lavishing attention on "establishment" sensation Marco Rubio –– who was sure to set the race right in New Hampshire today ––  Trump has still topped many polls.

Susan J. Demas: What pundits are trying to sell you (and won't tell you) about the Iowa caucuses

The Iowa caucuses were a victory for pundits. But many will continue to mislead about what's really going on this election –– or be oblivious to its realities.

OK, Monday night certainly didn't pan out for those predicting a coronation for our not-so-benevolent wannabe dictator Donald Trump. Iowa voters treated analysts skeptical of the billionaire Republican's true appeal to a healthy heaping of schadenfreude.

But, as usual, the two main storylines emerging from the Hawkeye State (where I lived for 10 years) reflected long-established conventional wisdom. The first is that Marco Rubio really won the GOP contest (not Ted Cruz, the actual winner) by beating expectations by finishing third (and almost defeating Trump). The second is that Hillary Clinton's near-death experience with Bernie Sanders proves she's facing a Herculean task in winning the Democratic nomination.

Susan J. Demas: Rubio has 'momentum,' but there's no clear path to victory –– yet

Marco Rubio has the "big mo" in Michigan.

In the past week, he's been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, and big GOP donor John Rakolta, a former Mitt Romney backer. Rubio also announced a campaign rally next week in Waterford.

Rubio had a slow start in the Mitten State, although he earned praise for his Detroit Economic Club speech this summer, as well as the blessing of U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland.

But Rubio has chosen to primarily concentrate on early states like Iowa and New Hampshire (we don't vote until March 8, after Super Tuesday).

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Susan J. Demas: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder isn't running for president. Here's what he's doing

No, Rick Snyder is not going to be president.

He's much too smart to relegate himself to being one of 19 Republicans (who are almost all far more well-known than he) smushed on rural New Hampshire stage -- just hoping to get more than three words in between Ted Cruz's visions of Obama-inspired Armageddon and Marco Rubio mugging for the cameras. 

As an Iowa caucuses native, I can say Snyder would hate coffee klatches, where you're asked kooky questions about getting back on the gold standard that you must gracefully humor.
Let's be honest. Rick Snyder looks uncomfortable campaigning in his home state and even against just one opponent, which is why he cleverly launched his one-man town hall circuit in 2014.

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