The 2016 Presidential Primary Carnival Rages On
Policy + Politics

The 2016 Presidential Primary Carnival Rages On

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The Labor Day holiday has traditionally marked the beginning of a more button-downed phase of the presidential primary cycle, with candidates preparing for a grueling months-long push before voting takes place in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

But, like the rest election 2016 so far, the circus that has been the presidential primary season isn’t following the script.

Related: Can Jeb Bush, Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden Get a Colbert Bump?

Instead of focusing on building the ground organizations usually required to bring victory at the polls, or devoting hours to debate prep, some White House hopefuls are busy rushing to exploit any hot topic or media opportunity that might possibly wring out more votes from their party’s primary electorate.

One need look no further than Kentucky.

On Tuesday, two GOP contenders, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), visited the jail holding Kim Davis, a clerk who was put behind bars last week in contempt of court for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Davis was ordered freed by a judge but that didn’t stop Huckabee from seeking the spotlight. Speaking at a rally moments after she was released, the former state executive volunteered to go to jail in her stead.

Related: With Trump and Sanders Riding High, How Low Will Bush and Clinton Go?

“Lock me up if you think that’s how freedom is best served,” Huckabee said. “Because folks, I am willing to spend the next eight years in the White House leading in this country. But I want you to know I'm willing to spend the next eight years in jail, but I'm not willing to spend the next years in tyranny under people who think they can take our freedom and conscience away.”

Cruz, who met with Davis, didn’t address the raucous crowd, possibly because he’s saving his voice for Wednesday. The Texas lawmaker, along with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, are set to hold a rally on Capitol Hill to rip the Iran nuclear deal.

Meanwhile, next week Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton plans to appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” the same evening Republicans hold their second presidential debate, ensuring they won’t have the limelight all to themselves and offering her a platform to skewer the GOP.

Clinton’s appearance will take place after Trump, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Vice President Biden all hit the late night talk show circuit.

Related: Clinton: Trump Is Bad for American Politics

Despite the carnival-like atmosphere currently dominating the campaign trail, it’s still possible the temperature could cool, according to Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

“Labor Day is the traditional start of the fall campaign season, except we’re actually 14 months from the general election, not two,” he said. “We’re also still five months or so away from the primary season starting, so there’s still time for the voters to really start drilling down on their options.”

Kondik cited Trump’s months-long position atop the polls as one of this cycle’s non-traditional outliers.

“I think many of us have assumed that Donald Trump’s support is akin to a summer fling, but summer is almost over. If Trump’s support proves durable the campaigns are going to have to start hitting him with ads,” he said.

That trend may have already begun. Bush rolled out his first television ad that targeted Trump and his fellow GOP rivals.

“If you want more DC politicians or more self-promoters, you've got options,” Bush states in the 30-second spot that will begin airing Wednesday in New Hampshire. "I'm offering something different: leadership, ideas and a proven conservative record.”

“Anybody can talk. I've delivered,” he adds.

Kondik predicted there “probably will be big shuffles in the weeks and days before Iowa.”

The change in the calendar wasn’t lost on some White House hopefuls.

“You know, the campaign really starts this week now,” New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said during an interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “The summer entertainment season is over and now we're really going to get down to people focusing and getting to work.”

Of course, Christie, in an appearance on Fallon’s program last week, joked he may just have to “go nuclear” during the next presidential debate to get his poll numbers out of the single digits.

“How many believe that the campaign is over? I think it’s just starting,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said during an event at the National Press Club in Washington.

He said, “Experience seems to be a detriment in September,” but would be an “asset” soon.

“I’m in the middle of this car wreck called 2016,” Graham joked. “It even amazes me and I’ve seen car wrecks. I used to be a lawyer.”

The Labor Day holiday has traditionally marked the beginning of a more button-downed phase of the presidential primary cycle, with candidates preparing for a grueling months-long push before voting takes place in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

But, like the rest election 2016 so far, the circus that has been the presidential primary season isn’t following the script.

Related: Can Jeb Bush, Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden Get a Colbert Bump?

Instead of focusing on building the ground organizations usually required to bring victory at the polls, or devoting hours to debate prep, some White House hopefuls are busy rushing to exploit any hot topic or media opportunity that might possibly wring out more votes from their party’s primary electorate.

One need look no further than Kentucky.

On Tuesday, two GOP contenders, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), visited the jail holding Kim Davis, a clerk who was put behind bars last week in contempt of court for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Davis was ordered freed by a judge but that didn’t stop Huckabee from seeking the spotlight. Speaking at a rally moments after she was released, the former state executive volunteered to go to jail in her stead.

Related: With Trump and Sanders Riding High, How Low Will Bush and Clinton Go?

“Lock me up if you think that’s how freedom is best served,” Huckabee said. “Because folks, I am willing to spend the next eight years in the White House leading in this country. But I want you to know I'm willing to spend the next eight years in jail, but I'm not willing to spend the next years in tyranny under people who think they can take our freedom and conscience away.”

Cruz, who met with Davis, didn’t address the raucous crowd, possibly because he’s saving his voice for Wednesday. The Texas lawmaker, along with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, are set to hold a rally on Capitol Hill to rip the Iran nuclear deal.

Meanwhile, next week Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton plans to appear on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” the same evening Republicans hold their second presidential debate, ensuring they won’t have the limelight all to themselves and offering her a platform to skewer the GOP.

Clinton’s appearance will take place after Trump, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Vice President Biden all hit the late night talk show circuit.

Related: Clinton: Trump Is Bad for American Politics

Despite the carnival-like atmosphere currently dominating the campaign trail, it’s still possible the temperature could cool, according to Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

“Labor Day is the traditional start of the fall campaign season, except we’re actually 14 months from the general election, not two,” he said. “We’re also still five months or so away from the primary season starting, so there’s still time for the voters to really start drilling down on their options.”

Kondik cited Trump’s months-long position atop the polls as one of this cycle’s non-traditional outliers.

“I think many of us have assumed that Donald Trump’s support is akin to a summer fling, but summer is almost over. If Trump’s support proves durable the campaigns are going to have to start hitting him with ads,” he said.

That trend may have already begun. Bush rolled out his first television ad that targeted Trump and his fellow GOP rivals.

“If you want more DC politicians or more self-promoters, you've got options,” Bush states in the 30-second spot that will begin airing Wednesday in New Hampshire. "I'm offering something different: leadership, ideas and a proven conservative record.”

“Anybody can talk. I've delivered,” he adds.

Kondik predicted there “probably will be big shuffles in the weeks and days before Iowa.”

The change in the calendar wasn’t lost on some White House hopefuls.

“You know, the campaign really starts this week now,” New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said during an interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “The summer entertainment season is over and now we're really going to get down to people focusing and getting to work.”

Of course, Christie, in an appearance on Fallon’s program last week, joked he may just have to “go nuclear” during the next presidential debate to get his poll numbers out of the single digits.

“How many believe that the campaign is over? I think it’s just starting,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said during an event at the National Press Club in Washington.

He said, “Experience seems to be a detriment in September,” but would be an “asset” soon.

“I’m in the middle of this car wreck called 2016,” Graham joked. “It even amazes me and I’ve seen car wrecks. I used to be a lawyer.”

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