Optimism, Concern For Ted Cruz Before Iowa Caucuses
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DALLAS (CBS11) - Ted Cruz wants to win Iowa, and to prove it, he's made it a point to campaign in all 99 counties.
Ken Emanuelson of Dallas supports Cruz, and understands the pressure the Texas Senator is under. "This is the biggest weekend of his life."
Cruz is battling it out with real estate mogul Donald Trump.
During this weekend before the first in the nation Iowa caucuses, Trump continues leading the polls in Iowa.
He's six points ahead of Cruz in the Real Clear Politics average of polls.
Analysts say Cruz's supporters are the most likely to go to the caucus and vote.
But Trump could attract large crowds to the caucuses just as he's done with his rallies.
Our pollster, Brian Graham of Dixie Strategies says that could spell trouble for Cruz down the road.
"If Donald Trump is able to win Iowa, and he's able to win New Hampshire and then he goes and wins South Carolina, he's going to have a lot of momentum at his back and that is something that could really hurt Ted Cruz, even in Texas," says Graham.
Emanuelson admits he's a little nervous, but remains optimistic about Cruz's chances.
"I think Cruz is going to tie or better in Iowa and that's going to be a beating of expectations and that's going to help him a lot," says Emanuelson.
He believes the higher the turnout among Republicans, the better Trump will do.
In 2012, a record 122,000 people attended the GOP caucuses.
Emanuelson though says he's not just concerned about Trump, but Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who trails Trump and Cruz in the polls,
Emanuelson doesn't want Rubio to surge. "That's a real problem. So he (Cruz) not only has to be close to Trump, but distant from Rubio."
Texas is the big prize in the Super Tuesday March 1st primary.
So far, Governor Greg Abbott hasn't endorsed Cruz, or anyone else.
During an interview in the Governor's Mansion Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Abbott explained why he hasn't officially supported anyone yet.
"I expect these candidates to come to Texas and explain directly to us and tell us how they're going to secure the border and stop the illegal immigration."
Even so, Governor Abbott is widely expected to endorse Cruz in the next couple of weeks.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and former Governor Rick Perry have already thrown their support behind Cruz.
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