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Week 12 results for USA TODAY’s GOP Power Rankings (Photos via AP)
The Paris terrorist attacks are likely to mark a fundamental turning point in the GOP presidential nominating contest, but thus far our political experts say it is unclear which candidate will benefit from that.
For now, Marco Rubio regains the top spot over Donald Trump, but little else changes in the 12th edition<span style="color: Red;">*</span>of our<span style="color: Red;">*</span>GOP Power Rankings, in which we ask 30 smart political minds each week who is strongest in the field.
“I think the Paris attacks have kind of frozen any momentum (positive or negative) that any candidates had been experiencing this week,” said Headcount’s Aaron Ghitelman. “None of the (GOP) candidates are known for their foreign policy credentials, so it’ll be interesting to see who can speak to the raw emotions so many Americans are feeling. Or if any candidates will use this as an opening to show they have the gravitas to look presidential during a crisis.”
Marco Rubio addresses the Sunshine Summit in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 13, 2015. (Octavio Jones, The Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Republican strategist Henry Barbour said, “Rightly, after Paris, it’s all about who can be a strong commander-in-chief. The world badly needs America to lead. And America is sick and tired of a weak President who seems ill-equipped to lead with any degree of strength. So, the strongest and best prepared Republicans should rise.”
Many of our experts see Rubio and Ted Cruz as the strongest candidates over the long haul.
“Foreign policy has risen dramatically as a concern with voters which should help Rubio, Cruz and (Lindsey) Graham and maybe (Jeb) Bush,” said former RNC official Frank Donatelli. “Foreign policy cries out for experience and could undermine first time candidates … Foreign policy could be GOP’s hidden weapon against Hillary Clinton.”
But some see an opening for Trump <span style="color: Red;">*</span>in the wake of Paris, because of his consistent emphasis on strong border security. “It’s strange how a horrific event like the Paris terror attacks can radically change a person’s view on who needs to be in the White House,” said Tea Party activist Deb Lucia. “A few days ago, Trump had moved down in the minds of people, but his tough stand on illegal immigration has pushed back (up) … Many people who’ve never truly considered Trump are now saying he’s what America and the world needs.”
Overall this week, Rubio got 13 first-place votes from our panel this week, up from 11 a week ago, and Trump slips from 13 first-place votes to 10.
[h=3]Week 12 rankings<span style="color: Red;">*</span>[/h] [h=4]1. Marco Rubio<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Last week:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>2)[/h] [h=4]2. Donald Trump<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(1)[/h] [h=4]3. Ben Carson<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(3)[/h] [h=4]4.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Ted Cruz<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(4)[/h] [h=4]5. Jeb Bush<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(5)[/h] [h=4]6. Chris Christie<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(6)[/h] [h=4]7. Carly Fiorina<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(7)[/h] [h=4]8. John Kasich<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(8)[/h] [h=4]9. Rand Paul<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(9)[/h] [h=4]10. Mike Huckabee<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(10)[/h] [h=4]T-11. Bobby Jindal<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(11)[/h] [h=4]T-11: Lindsey Graham<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(12)[/h] [h=4]13. Rick Santorum<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(13)[/h] [h=4]14. George Pataki (14)[/h] [h=4]15. Jim Gilmore (15)[/h] [h=6]Week 1<span style="color: Red;">*</span>| Week 2<span style="color: Red;">*</span>| Week 3<span style="color: Red;">*</span>| Week 4<span style="color: Red;">*</span>|<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Week 5<span style="color: Red;">*</span>|<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Week 6
Week 7<span style="color: Red;">*</span>| Week 8<span style="color: Red;">*</span>| Week 9<span style="color: Red;">*</span>| Week 10<span style="color: Red;">*</span>| Week 11[/h] Participants in<span style="color: Red;">*</span>USA TODAY’s GOP Power Rankings:
Kristen Soltis Anderson, Republican pollster and author of The Selfie Vote
Henry Barbour, Republican strategist, Mississippi
Paul Brathwaite, principal, Podesta Group
Dianne Bystrom, director, Center for Women and Politics, Iowa State University
Herman Cain, talk show host and former GOP presidential candidate
Maria Cardona, Democratic strategist and CNN Commentator, The Dewey Square Group
Frank Donatelli, former RNC deputy chairman and Reagan advisor
Sara Fagen, partner, DDC Advocacy
Peter Fenn, Democratic political strategist, Fenn Communications
Denise Feriozzi, deputy executive director, EMILY’s List
Karen Floyd, CEO, The Palladian Group and former South Carolina GOP chair
Aaron Ghitelman, communications manager, HeadCount
Andra Gillespie, polling analyst and political science professor, Emory University
Nathan L. Gonzales, editor, The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report
Lilly J. Goren, political science and global studies professor, Carroll University
Doug Gross, Iowa attorney and previous Republican gubernatorial nominee
O. Kay Henderson, news director, Radio Iowa
Ken Khachigian, senior partner, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Carl Leubsdorf, Washington columnist, The Dallas Morning News
Deb Lucia, Topeka 912 – the Capital City Tea Party
Matt Mackowiak, Republican consultant and president, Potomac Strategy Group, LLC
Dan Maffei, former Democratic congressman, New York
Phil Musser, chairman, IMGE digital media agency
Margie Omero, Democratic pollster, Purple Insights
Jon Ralston, host, “Ralston Live” on PBS affiliates in Nevada
Craig Robinson, founder and editor, TheIowaRepublican.com
Alan Rosenblatt, Ph.D., Sr. VP of digital strategy, turner4D
Dante Scala, political science professor, University of New Hampshire
Adam Sharp, head of news, government and elections, Twitter
Alex Smith, national chairman, College Republicans
Todd Spangler, Washington correspondent, Detroit Free Press
Kathy Sullivan, DNC committeewoman and former Democratic Party chair, New Hampshire
Special thanks to the Palladian Group for building our survey platform.
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