I borrowed the image above from a Facebook friend, because it effectively tells the story. When the Republican presidential nominating race started a few months ago, there were 17 hopeful candidates. Ten of them have now fallen by the wayside -- and we're only two states into the primary/caucus season.
On Wednesday morning, Carly Fiorina suspended her presidential campaign. After finishing with only 4% of the GOP vote in New Hampshire, she finally saw the writing on the wall (in giant letters) -- and realized she had no chance to become the party's nominee.
Fiorina had her moment of glory last summer, after an early debate (where she bested the others at the GOP's "kiddie table". But after being promoted to the "big kids" debate, she couldn't hang -- and her numbers started dropping. Thankfully, she has now realized she's just another "also ran".
Then on Wednesday afternoon, Chris Christie told his supporters that he is also suspending his presidential campaign. Christie had entered the campaign a damaged candidate, thanks to Bridge-gate (and the teabbagger perception he was too nice to President Obama after Hurricane Sandy). He thought he could bluster his way through as the candidate who was not afraid to speak boldly -- but that hope faded after another candidate with more bluster came along -- Donald Trump.
Christie was banking on New Hampshire to get him back in contention -- but an 8% showing and a sixth place finish put an end to that. He finally realized he's wasting his time (and other people's money).
Now there are seven Republicans left -- actually five candidates, and two hangers-on. Carson and Gilmore are dead-candidates walking. They just aren't ready to admit it. Their campaign suspensions will come soon.
That leaves Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, and Jeb Bush. If this is the best they can do, I almost feel sorry for the Republican Party.
