It’s Almost Game Time in Iowa

Kathie Obradovich: “News that the Donald plans to skip Thursday night’s Fox News debate in Iowa was the hubris a la mode to Trump’s not-at-all-humble pie. For a front-runner to skip a debate in Iowa four days before the caucuses takes an ego the size of the Trump Tower. His action may project that he thinks the caucuses are ready to be engraved with his name, but over-confidence can backfire in a close race.”

“There is substance behind Trump’s bravado, however. Five of the six most recent polls have Trump leading Cruz, with margins ranging from 2 to 11 percentage points.”

“The central question about Trump’s Iowa campaign is whether it can convert enough star-struck celebrity watchers into bona fide caucusgoers to win on Monday. Media reports about the strength of the Trump campaign’s ground game are inconclusive. Just because reporters find a lot of people at Trump rallies who don’t seem to know how to caucus doesn’t mean his campaign can’t turn out enough voters to win.”