Republican Undercard Debate: Live Coverage

I think we have chaos in the primary. With chaos, the most important thing is to win one of the first two contests, Iowa and New Hampshire.

1. Christie’s net favorability rating has risen in New Hampshire. In a field of 15, it’s conceivable he could win there with support in the low 20s. (Huntsman won 17 percent of the vote there.)
2. A social conservative unacceptable to the party overall could win in Iowa (like Ben Carson who is leading there currently).
3. If you can get the fight down to an arch-social conservative and Christie, Christie could win that fight. It’s not a probable outcome. It’s a long shot, but less of a long shot than I think most people think.

OK, let’s have a somewhat meta-conversation (while also paying attention to the debate): Harry, you’re not exactly bullish on Chris Christie, but you think there’s a path for him; Nate, you’re skeptical — let’s have it out!

Bobby Jindal says there are a record number of Americans on food stamps. That simply isn’t true. According to the Department of Agriculture, which administers the program colloquially known as food stamps, there were 45.5 million Americans receiving nutrition benefits as of August, down from 46.5 million a year earlier and a peak of nearly 48 million in 2012.