[guest post by Dana]

Over at the Washington Post, Phillip Bump declared Ben Carson the winner of the GOP debate two weeks ago:

Fox News released the results of the first major-outlet national poll since the first Republican debate three months two weeks ago. Comparing those results to the Fox poll released immediately before the debate, we can, as objectively as possible, declare a winner: Ben Carson, who saw a five-point jump in the polls — a 71 percent increase over where he was two weeks ago.

I wasn’t too impressed with Carson as a contender for the presidency. An absolutely kind and brilliant man with an outstanding resume full of extraordinary accomplishments to be sure, yet his lack of political experience, knowledge, and insight didn’t leave me hoping he would become the next president. Worth noting, however, is that Carson spoke only 6:46 minutes at the debate, about half the time that Trump spoke.

Bump noted another significant change after the debate: Ted Cruz made a big jump of four points. This even though he, as with Carson, spoke only 6:46 minutes. To have jumped four points speaking so little is a good sign for Cruz. Like Trump, he seems to be reaching frustrated voters, but unlike Trump, Cruz offers a very real and wide range of political experience and savvy, a strong conservative voting record, and an immense knowledge of the Constitution and how government is meant to work.

Also good, Carly Fiorina jumped three points, which doubles her previous standing. By the way, Ace of Spades announced that Carly Fiorina will be a guest on this week’s podcast, so be sure to look for it. I think there might actually be some substantive questions asked of the candidate rather than the usual “Did you really mean to call Hillary a liar?” type…

Oh, and who didn’t receive post-debate good news? Jeb Bush and Scott Walker. This is particularly disappointing with regard to Walker. Since his lead one month ago, it has been observed that “Every week since that 22-point high, Walker has shed two or three points of support. The latest Iowa poll has him at just 9 percent.” Definitely not good. Clearly he has his work cut out for him at the next debate.

Speaking of which: the CNN Republican Primary Debate coming from the Reagan Library is scheduled for September 16 and will, of course, air on CNN. The rules they have instituted to position candidates are as follows:

The first 10 candidates – ranked from highest to lowest in polling order from an average of all qualifying polls released between July 16 and September 10 who satisfy the criteria requirements outlined in this document ­­ will be invited to participate in “Segment B” of the September 16, 2015 Republican Presidential Primary Debate. In the event of a tie for 10th place, the tie­breaker will be an average of all qualifying polls released between August 26 and September 10. The second tie­breaker will be an average of all qualifying polling conducted in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada released between July 16 and September 10.

Candidates who satisfy the criteria and achieve an average of at least one percent in three national polls, but are not ranked in the top 10 of polling order will be invited to participate in “Segment A” of the September 16, 2015 Republican Presidential Primary Debate.

Post-script: “Their “Segment B” will be the top-tier candidates, while “Segment A” will be the rest who hit the 1% polling mark. CNN also notes that if the number of candidates who qualify overall for the debate are 14 or less, they will limit Segment B to only eight candidates and the rest will spill over to the second tier Segment A.”

–Dana

[guest post by Dana]

Al Sharpton, who has made a career of race-baiting and brazen self-promotion, is now calling on black churches to support President Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, because, what else?

“We have a disproportionate interest, being that if there is a war, our community is always disproportionately part of the armed services, and that a lot of the debate is by people who will not have family members who will be at risk,” Sharpton said.

“I am calling on ministers in black churches nationwide to go to their pulpits Sunday and have their parishioners call their senators and congressman to vote yes on the Iran nuclear plan.”

Shamefully, this parasite is attempting to score political points and promote himself by using the young men and women in his “community” who have voluntarily answered the honorable call to serve and protect their country. The noble are but pawns in a game of race, only to be used and sullied by Sharpton’s touch.

It’s not hard to see the real priority:

He also argued Friday that his efforts would counter a coordinated national effort against Obama’s historic diplomatic achievement.

“There needs to be a balance in this,” he said. “Clearly lobbyists and others like AIPAC are pushing on their side, and there needs to be an organized effort on the other side.”

“A lot of Democrats, I think, should have to consider how their voters will feel in their base vote,” the reverend added.

One might begin to think that it’s more important to Sharpton that the president be successful in his “historic diplomatic achievement” rather than seriously take into account the very real potential outcomes of such a deal, including but not limited to, U.S. national security being put at grave risk, sanctions on Iran being lifted, their nuclear infrastructure remaining intact, and Iranian madmen and hardliners having access to untold billions of dollars in impounded funds with which to sponsor terrorist activities. All of which will impact every American – not just some.

Being President Obama’s “go-to” man on race , Sharpton is now needed to fan the flames in order to secure support for the Iran nuclear deal. Sharpton, practiced and professional race hustling fool that he is, will skillfully use the weapon of race in an attempt to influence a select group of Americans in spite of the very real danger that *all* Americans will face if this deal is met with approval.

–Dana