So here was my immediate reaction to the poll out today that shows Carson down only 27 percent to 23 percent, with no other candidate having more than 6 percent.

It turns out that the various firewall schemes to stop Trump are failing, and Wall Street is in the panic that comes with impotence. Meanwhile, Carson is climbing, as all the other candidates disappear from view, and if Iowa voted tomorrow he’d turn Trump into a loser.

The real firewalls: The kind and gentle face of Carson and Fiorina and her faces. It remains to be seen which — if any — of the highly funded Republican candidates is capable of stepping up or getting people to notice he has a face too.

The advice being given to all the candidates but Trump tonight: Distinguish yourself by being most clever and ferocious in your Trump attack. That’s not the advice I’d give. All experience so far suggests that it’s degrading to get all hysterical about Donald, who, the most recent poll suggests, is already fading a bit.

My advice: Be a little bit nervous and be yourself. Worked for Carson last time.

So Bush: Embrace your nerdiness.

Fiorina: Really be a leader, and not a demagogue or entertainer. Don’t actually say that’s what you are.

Rubio: Show again you can talk with quiet confidence about real issues, and let your pretty face speak for itself (so to speak). Your limited goal at this point is to avoid extinction and be the genuinely grown-up choice when all the outsiders implode.

And Carson: Stay within the confines of your inspirational words about yourself and our country and stay away from policy details; try to stay a bit shy and say some humble stuff. People are starting to think you can learn policy quickly when you need to. I don’t have to tell you not to shy away from what some call your extreme views; this being yourself stuff is really working for you.

Cruz: You have no problem speaking with confidence, but speak a bit more softly and don’t talk down. Try being a little humble and ironic about yourself (I know you’ll have to try hard).

Kasich: People confused you being convoluted with being thoughtful and detailed. So stay with that until you outlast Bush.

Huckabee and Walker. Enjoy the freedom that comes from knowing that what you say probably won’t make any difference anyway. That goes double for Christie.

quick update in response to the immediate critics: 1) You left Rand Paul out! Well, yes I did. Can’t help him. 2) What should Trump do? be huge.