Albert R. Hunt, Columnist

Jeb Bush's Journey From Front-Runner to Straggler

His campaign's financial shock and awe failed to make a dent.

The big test.

Photographer: Joshua Lott/Getty Images
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The biggest stories of this young political year are the surprising surges of the outsider presidential candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Close behind is the possible collapse of the once-formidable front-runner, Jeb Bush.

Only a year ago, the Washington cognoscenti, the less politically sophisticated big donors and the London oddsmakers all figured that the son and brother of presidents was a solid favorite to clinch the Republican nomination. Six months ago, the former Florida governor thought he had a real shot at winning Iowa, the first nominating contest. Yet as the state's voters prepare to gather for the traditional caucuses on Monday night, he barely registers in the polls.