Inside the Beltway: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Rand Paul, former GOP hopefuls nab 2% of the primary vote

NEWS AND OPINION:

Talk about loyalty. Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Sen. Rand Paul may have dropped out of the 2016 Republican race, but their fans continue to vote for them. Eleven former Republican presidential hopefuls garnered 2 percent of the total vote in 24 primaries and caucuses through March 8, according to Eric Ostermeier, a University of Minnesota political professor who conducted a meticulous analysis of the voting data. Mr. Bush led the pack with a grand total of 88,000 votes, followed by Mr. Carson with 37,942, Mr. Paul with 32,098 and Mike Huckabee with 27,141. Gov. Chris Christie (16,0113), Carly Fiorina (11,484), Rick Santorum (8,023) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (4,481) were next in line, followed by James S. Gilmore III, George Pataki and Bobby Jindal, who all got under 2,000 votes.

Some states were particularly prone to support “those who have abandoned their White House dreams,” says Mr. Ostermeier. According to the statistics, Vermont led the way, with 3.7 percent of the votes in the Green State going to ex-candidates. Michigan, Idaho, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, Texas and Tennessee follow. The study, incidentally, was conducted before Sen. Marco Rubio dropped out of the race.

NOT CONVINCED

“We may not have always agreed on every detail, but we’ve always shared an unwavering, unshakable commitment to our alliance and to Israel’s future as a secure and democratic homeland for the Jewish people,” Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton told the vast audience at the AIPAC policy conference in a wide-ranging speech Monday, “If we face the future side by side, I know for both Israel and America, our best days are still ahead.” The Republican Jewish Coalition is not buying it.

“Hillary Clinton’s rhetoric rings hollow. Actions speak louder than words, and Hillary’s words can do little to paper over her disastrous tenure as secretary of state,” says Matt Brooks, executive director of the national grass-roots group, which holds its spring leadership meeting next month in Las Vegas.

“Under Secretary Clinton, the U.S.-Israel relationship reached its lowest point, and she supported the United States-brokered, ill-conceived and disastrous nuclear deal with Iran,” noted Mr. Brooks. “At every turn when her actions could achieve real results and speak louder than words, Secretary Clinton chose instead to do nothing. Pro-Israel voters have learned from painful experience that there is a difference between political speeches and governing priorities. Hillary Clinton has proven time and again that talk is cheap.”

AMERICANS SIDE WITH TRUMP ON VETS

Under his public policy proposal for military veterans, Donald Trump advises: “Under a Trump administration, all veterans eligible for VA health care can bring their veteran’s ID card to any doctor or care facility that accepts Medicare to get the care they need immediately.” A new Gallup poll finds this is a very popular idea: 91 percent of Americans agree with this streamlined approach that allows vets to be seen by any health care provider that accepts Medicare, not just Veterans Affairs medical facilities.

“In addition, Trump proposes to increase funding for a variety of VA projects, including ’accelerating and expanding investments in state-of-the-art technology and spending more for job training, placement services, educational support and business loans,’” Gallup director Frank Newport writes in his analysis of the findings. The poll found that 74 percent of Americans agree with that idea as well.

ONE FOR THE LITTLE SISTERS

Nine pro-life members of Congress gather Tuesday outside the Capitol to have their say about the “Little Sisters of the Poor case” — that would be Zubik v. Burwell — a landmark challenge to the Department of Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate under Obamacare, to be heard before the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The intent of the lawmakers will be revealed right there on the podium. On hand for the event: Reps. Trent Franks, Marsha Blackburn, Diane Black, Jeff Fortenberry, Virginia Foxx, Vicky Hartzler, Mike Kelly, Joseph R. Pitts and Jody B. Hice.

UPDATE: THE GOP WAR CHEST

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus reports the GOP has raised a total of $126.4 million. In February, $11.5 million arrived from donors, 99 percent in amounts under $200. The average donation was $52.

“Thanks to our strong grass-roots support the RNC is fielding a national organization that will be critical to our nominee’s victory this November,” says Mr. Priebus. “We have never been better organized or better prepared to win a presidential election and enthusiasm for our party is only growing. We are the only organization in politics running a national ground game focused on winning.”

NOW THERE’S A THOUGHT

“Most rich people are a lot like you and me. They just know a secret that, while incredibly effective, isn’t very sexy. The secret to getting rich is as powerful as it is unexciting: Live below your means. That’s it. The bigger the difference between what you earn and what you spend, the sooner you’ll find yourself with enough money to do what you want with your life,” notes Catherine Hawley, a financial adviser for NerdWallet and a contributor to Money magazine.

POLL DU JOUR

• 67 percent of Americans think there is “more violence” at a Donald Trump rally than other candidates’ events; 23 percent of Republicans, 41 percent of independents and 74 percent of Democrats agree.

• 65 percent overall say protesters at political events don’t deserve to “get roughed up”; 55 percent of Republicans, 60 percent of independents and 80 percent of Democrats agree.

• 59 percent overall say it’s OK to throw protesters out of a political event; 81 percent of Republicans, 59 percent of independents and 42 percent of Democrats agree.

• 47 percent overall say Mr. Trump is “responsible” for violent events at his rallies; 55 percent of Republicans, 60 percent of independents and 80 percent of Democrats agree.

Source: A YouGov poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted March 14-16.

Polite applause, chatter to jharper@washingtontimes.com