What I find curious is that nobody (at least, that I noticed) pointed out that "it's been done before" -- by Newt Gingrich, no less. He did exactly the same thing -- held a book tour in the middle of his campaign. Don't know what it did for the sales of his book, but I think at least one of his poll spikes (he had two, as I recall) came after his book tour. So it's been proven to work before...

-CW

Yep... :D

A "book tour" is nothing more than a grassroots campaign tour by another name..

Michale

I suppose he might think pressing the flesh on a book tour is a way to hit the grassroots in a manner not allowed by a traditional campaign...but still, this is a significant risk, and probably one that Ben Carson should have avoided.

~The American Spectator

Supporting Ben Carson's campaign does NOT advance conservative causes, but feeds a professional fundraising machine and fundraisers' business that creates yet more fundraising. All campaigns have fundraising costs, but this goes beyond what is appropriate. And given the odd nature of Carson's campaign, his low key sale, book tours ... it all adds up to a campaign running for something other than President.

Now it becomes much clearer – the reason Carson hasn’t even cared to study the issues is because he’s not even seriously running for President. He’s merely using his Presidential campaign as a vehicle to sell more books

~Red State

Rubio can boast he’s on the upswing, while Carson supporters must be baffled that he would now take off a couple weeks to do a book tour.

~Washington Post

But what happens at the end of those two weeks? Carson is now solidly in the lead in Iowa and a recent national poll has him drawing ahead nationwide. I notice none of these pundits have referred to the book tour since those numbers came out.

This presidential campaign season just isn't going the way the pundits expected.

For the record, that does NOT apply to anyone here... :D

Just want to make sure we're clear on that..

Michale

Michale

What spell check - this feature hasn't worked since the last OS upgrade on the ol' tablet. I will check this out...eventually. Until, then I am on my own with regards to typoos. :)

Who??? J/K I know yer Tablet Spell Check probably won't let ya.. Heh..

for several dozen comments relating his zero sum/mirror image view of US politics. :)

You mean, like Weigantians/Democrats did during the Bush years??

You mean like that?? :D

Michale

Many Democrats are of the opinion that Trump has done wonders for the Republican Party.

I am going to assume you are being serious and not just yankin' my chain.. :D

In what way??

So what is it about Trump that you don't like?

He is beginning to act too much like a Democrat for my tastes..

Who do you favor in the contest now that Scott Walker is out?

Keeping in mind that my opinion means LESS than zero as I can't vote in Primaries..

I like Carson...

He's actually ACCOMPLISHED something in his life.. Unlike Obama who didn't do (or know) squat when he was elected..

But I like Carson if only for the fact that, whenever any of the Hysterical (and not so Hysterical) Left Wingery says anything bad about Carson, I can scream RACIST!!! RACISM!!!! hysterically and then smirk "It's not much fun to have logical and rational talking points answered with ignorant and hysterical accusations of racism, is it?? MORON!!!"

I lead a bland life. I take my jollies where I can find them.. :D

Michale

There is insufficient space in this comments section to give specifics (some of which were pointed out by CW) , so I'll just leave the task to the many other professional journalists. Oh, right, "The problem, so far, is that the media hasn't noticed" -CW.

I now turn over the "floor" to Michael for several dozen comments relating his zero sum/mirror image view of US politics. :)

But it's YOUR Democrats who made Trump

Many Democrats are of the opinion that Trump has done wonders for the Republican Party. He's certainly very popular, isn't he. (He also talked a lot of sense about the Middle East in his interview with Chuck Todd at the weekend.) Even though Carson has passed him in the Iowa polls, Trump's still in front in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Don't get me wrong, I am nursing a growing dislike for the man..

So what is it about Trump that you don't like?

Who do you favor in the contest now that Scott Walker is out?

Time ta face the facts, people..

It's the Democrat Party's total scroo-ups and incompetence that allowed such an arrogant and bombastic candidate as Trump to actually have a real shot at the POTUS-ency..

Decry and castigate Trump all you want.

But it's YOUR Democrats who made Trump, not only possible, but more and more likely..

Michale

Just like I COULD acknowledge and respect Hillary Clinton's accomplishments..

Michale

The fact that he is HIGHLY successful at what he does is MORE what's going for him..

Democrats talk the talk, but fall all over themselves trying to walk the walk..

Not so with Trump...

Don't get me wrong, I am nursing a growing dislike for the man..

But because I am politically agnostic, I can acknowledge and respect his accomplishments without being supportive of what he is doing..

Just like I COULD acknowledge and respect Hillary Clinton's accomplishments..

If she actually HAD any worthy of respect...

Michale

Yea.. You want to be WELL RESTED to tackle Friday's :D

Michale

Michale

Should be freed up now, sorry...

-CW

http://www.chrisweigant.com/2015/10/22/can-ryan-save-house-republicans-from-themselves/#comment-65686

-CW

Michale

Star Wars ticketing fiasco prompts theater apology: 'We thought we were ready'
Fans upset they had to walk to theaters
http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/20/star-wars-tickets-apology

"Your feeble servers are no match for the power of the dork side"

I am pretty sure you would find it as funny as I did :D

Michale

http://www.chrisweigant.com/2015/10/21/bidens-exit-might-clinch-the-race-for-hillary/#comment-65678

-CW

I can just picture you in front of yer pooter, muttering..

"Yer killin' me, Smalls. Yer killin me!"

Heh

Michale

Ya know, many MANY people said the same things about Obama..

They were immediately branded as RACISTS!!! by the Hysterical and not so Hysterical Left Wingery...

I'm just sayin'...

Michale

http://www.chrisweigant.com/2015/10/20/gop-race-overview-carly-falls-back/#comment-65673

:-)

-CW

Welcome to the wonderful world of Wingery! :D

Michale

http://www.chrisweigant.com/2015/10/19/focus-will-be-on-questioners-not-on-hillary/#comment-65667

More later...

-CW

I hear you on the "I'm all for the Repubs selecting an easy-to-beat candidate" thing, I have to say.

I think Carson would be the easiest to beat of all the GOP frontrunners (and second-tier folks) at this point. I'd LOVE it if here were to become the nominee, but somehow I just don't see it happening. I think he'll stumble badly once the spotlight is truly on him -- which hasn't quite happened yet.

We'll have to see -- should be an interesting debate!

-CW

OK, no promises (we're still in the "dancing around it" stage) but I may have something interesting for everyone this week in advance of the Republican debates. I'm talking visuals -- actually seeing me blather on about what the GOP should and shouldn't do. Again, no promises, but "watch this space" for details, if I can make it happen.

:-)

Sorry to be a tease, but nothing's written in stone at this point...

-CW

On the third hand, he may just be getting his time in the limelight, to be followed fairly soon by the next Repub favorite, especially if Trump drops any further. Then we'll have this conversation about Rubio or Cruz or whoever.