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Ted Cruz

Susan J. Demas: Why primaries are the death of humor

What is it about primaries that drive people crazy?

Sure, there’s the theory that “politics makes us stupid,” as Vox’s Ezra Klein put it -- i.e. the more information partisans receive on an issue, the more that ends up reinforcing their previous position.

But I would suggest that presidential primaries are the death of humor. If you don’t believe me, you may have made the wise choice to stay off social media for the last 18 months.

There’s always going to be that one “friend” who responds to any post -- photos of your kids, the death of a relative -- with a monologue about their favored candidate, typically ending with #FeeltheBern or #MakeAmericaGreatAgain.

You should probably unfriend that person immediately.

Susan J. Demas: In Michigan, Trump actually played second fiddle to Sanders

Bernie Sanders managed to steal the spotlight from Donald Trump last week -- and not just in “Saturday Night Live” skits.

Sanders began drawing screaming crowds last year, not unlike Trump (though without the violence), but his rallies have barely been a blip in TV coverage. In contrast, Trump’s events have been regularly carried live on cable news, which already awarded him wildly disproportionate coverage for his stunts of the week (insulting Fox News host Megyn Kelly, refusing to debate, savaging “Little Marco” Rubio, etc.).

But Michigan changed all that -- at least for a night. Sanders’ stunning, poll-defying win in the Democratic primary grabbed all the headlines on March 8, handing Trump the unfamiliar status of second billing.

Susan J. Demas: We know who's going to win Michigan's primary. So let's talk about issues

As a Michigan pundit, I’m supposed to tell you that our presidential primary next week is going to change everything. I’m supposed to tell you it’s going to be a nail-biter.

Just like I was supposed to tell you last year that Gov. Rick Snyder was totally going to run for president (and win!).

There’s a often a bit of home-team cheerleading in political analysis and journalism, just as there is in sports reporting. That’s because we know the players and the game –– and tend to overestimate their significance. And, if we’re being honest, a lot of journalists love the idea of playing “expert” on national TV. (I’ve done it plenty of times, and yes, it can be fun).

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: 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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