Have we started doing cattle calls yet? If not, then I think it's high time. The Democratic field isn't so crowded, but the Republican field is, and with the primaries coming up fast, I think it's time we start sorting out how the candidates are really doing. Today, let's start with the Republicans. (I'll get to the Democrats tomorrow.)
The GOP Presidential candidate field, which has seventeen candidates right now, is looking like dinner time at the Duggar residence, with all the unfortunate mess that entails. Fortunately I think we can establish a formal pecking order rather quickly by looking at polls and other factors. For convenience sake, let's divide them in to tiers one through four:
FIRST TIER: Serious contenders
SECOND TIER: Also-rans
THIRD TIER: Side shows
FOURTH TIER: Small potatoes, can ignore.
Follow me after the squiggle, and I will break them down.