Ever since Jimmy Carter won the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976, long-shot major party presidential candidates have concentrated on campaigning very heavily, and very early, in the states with the earliest presidential primaries and caucuses. But this Politico story suggests that Fox News’ debate rules for the August 6, 2015 Republican presidential debate may change that strategy. Only the top ten Republicans will be invited into that debate, and their standing in national polls will determine who is invited.

Therefore, a rational Republican candidate for president at this point will be more interested in raising his or her standing in national polls of Republicans, rather than concentrating solely on New Hampshire and Iowa. At least, that is the thesis of the article, which is written by Eli Stokols, who was recently hired by Politico to report on the 2016 presidential race.

Tunisia’s new constitution requires that the initiative process be created, at least for local government. So far, the process has not yet been implemented. This article, by Joe Mathews of California, gives more detail.

This Dallas Morning News story raises the idea that the upcoming August 6, 2015 Republican presidential debate could provide a means for a court challenge over the meaning of Article II’s “natural born citizen” requirement for President. If Fox is limiting the debate to the top ten Republicans, and Ted Cruz is one of those ten, the article says conceivably whoever is eleventh might have standing to contest whether Cruz qualifies. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.