Jack Markell is in Afghanistan for some reason. Sure, the Governor and his staff will say the purpose of his trip is to visit the Delaware National Guard and check on their progress, but, in my opinon, the only reason for a Governor of Delaware to go to Afghanistan is: 2016.
Some good economic news: 1) Jobless claims drop to 7-month low and 2) “U.S. industrial output rose more than expected in October as factory and mining production expanded strongly, suggesting the economy was gaining steam.”
Bloomberg polls in New Hampshire and Iowa find wide majorities of likely Republican voters view Mitt Romney as “smart, business-savvy and fit to be president,” but, at the same time, “substantial numbers, almost half in Iowa and two out of five in New Hampshire, also view him as someone who will do or say anything to get elected, ‘a flip-flopper,’ or not a true social conservative.”
“Those warring impressions help explain how Romney has attained front-runner status in national polls while remaining unable to secure enough backing to break away from his rivals.”
Meanwhile, Newton Leroy Gingrich moves into the lead nationally, according to a new Fox News poll shows Newt Gingrich leading the GOP presidential field nationally with 23%, followed by Mitt Romney at 22% and Herman Cain at 15%. The rest of the pack: Ron Paul at 8%, Rick Perry at 7%, Michele Bachmann at 6%, Jon Huntsman at 3%, and Rick Santorum at 2%.
Meanwhile, a new Economist/YouGov poll also has Gingrich leading nationally with 23%, followed closely by Herman Cain at 21% and Mitt Romney at 19%.
A new Iowa State University/Gazette/KCRG poll in Iowa finds Herman Cain still leading the Republican field with 25%, followed by Ron Paul at 20%, Mitt Romney at 16%, Rick Perry at 8%, Michele Bachmann at 8%, Newt Gingrich at 5% and Rick Santorum at 5%. Wouldn’t it be something if Ron Paul actually won both Iowa and New Hampshire. It is very possible.
