But the media do appear to be looking awfully hard for a viable Trump alternative on the Republican side — and using relatively isolated indicators to identify one.

Cruz’s strong showing in that (one) Iowa poll prompted many stories about his “surge” — across a broad media spectrum (including on The Fix). Iowa, with its first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 1, is important, of course; Cruz’s improvement there certainly shouldn’t be dismissed as insignificant.

But the Real Clear Politics national polling average, which provides a more complete picture of the campaign, still puts Cruz 15.3 points behind Trump nationally — only slightly better than his 17.8-point deficit a month ago. Cruz is still in fourth place.

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida also has picked up the “surging” label lately, though the rationale varies from his polling in New Hampshire to his performance in debates to his collection of congressional endorsements.