If Not Trump, Who?

The Republican field met up in Iowa last night: 

As the race takes shape five months ahead of the crucial Iowa caucuses, Mr. Trump is surging ahead of a fractured field of rivals who are largely reluctant to criticize him, cowed by his fiercely loyal base.  But Mr. Trump’s legal troubles could still provide an opening for one of his rivals...

The Iowa Republican caucus is set for Jan. 15, 2024.  The first of former President Trump's trials was recently announced for May.

If not Trump, who? That's why, Republicans that they are, the candidates not in the lead are keeping closed mouths and playing their cards close to their vests, as the old cliches go.

This one is going to come down to the final turn, me thinks; who has the juice in him still, running lightly and leanly enough to close hard.  

(It doesn't really matter who the bettors like. They can influence, but in the end, they don't control the race...  So often too, for all their rich predictions, they lose.  They can afford to; the country can't.)