With so much acrimony between Cruz and Trump, why did Cruz get a primetime spot at the RNC at all?... [S]ome wonder if maybe Trump gave Cruz the primetime spot just to try to embarrass him....
It was never known exactly why Bernie Sanders chose to endorse Hillary Clinton before the Democratic National Convention.... One of the big rumors that was circulating was that Sanders had to endorse Clinton so he could get a speaking spot and so his progressive ideals could be included in the Democratic platform. Articles like this one led Bernie supporters to erroneously believe it was a requirement for him to get into the Convention....
If Cruz is any indication, it’s possible that Sanders might have still gotten a speaking slot even if he didn’t endorse Clinton... What we do know is that we’re seeing two very different outcomes from similar starting points. Cruz chose to not endorse Trump, risking a platform slot and possibly risking taking votes away from Trump. And now he’s dealing with the fallout of speaking at the RNC without an endorsement and getting booed during his speech. Meanwhile, Sanders chose to make the endorsement so he could further his progressive platform, but it’s not known what will happen during his speech next week....Theories:
1. The question isn't so much about how similar Sanders and Cruz but how similar Clinton and Trump are. Clinton was always the candidate of her party's establishment, and Sanders challenged from the outside. But Trump blew away the establishment. Sanders only had to accept the predictable mainstream candidate of his party while maintaining some pride that he'd fought the good fight, his failed revolution. Cruz would need to accept a revolution. Cruz would be in the same position as Sanders if Jeb had won the nomination. It's quite another matter to accept your party's nominee when that guy just crushed the party.
2. Sanders was always a much more agreeable guy. He started off not even wanting to attack Clinton, throwing away the email question as if it wasn't worth anything. It's almost as if he were helping her all along, providing some theater to keep folks interested. Cruz was trying to carry out his own transformation of the party. He wanted to be what Trump ultimately was. He was leading his own revolution and the other guy's revolution succeeded. What happens next? From Trump's point of view, it was perhaps very important to fasten down the loose cannon.
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164 comments:
Oh please. In leftist land, you follow orders. The D, baby. The D.
Nothing else matters but the D. Principles? NOPE. You sell your soul to the Clinton machine, or else.
I think it's cool and edgy that we can have differences.
It's ironic that Trump throne sniffers demand obedience, like the D.
I thought Trump's "no big deal" response was great.
I think AprilA said all that is necessary on the topic.
Trump's campaign is building to a victory under budget and ahead of schedule.
Bernie never got any equipment to the site. He never tried to. He was all hype all of the time and only tried to fool the young folks with no discernment.
I'm surprised we haven't heard at least something from John Kasich as he waits pensively for someone to gift him with a YogapantsGram subscription.
The fact that Trump allowed Cruz to speak openly with or without an endorsement -- speaks well of Trump.
The fact that some of Trump's throne sniffing supporters heads exploded in rage because Cruz didn't follow orders, obey, and he didn't grovel and kiss Trump's ring? - sad and pathetic.
Cruz did what Cruz has been doing certainly since he went to DC and probably before that. I think his performance last night and in the past demonstrates the Republican primary voters' good sense in rejecting him. His performance certainly could not have come as a surprise to the other senators who have been dealing with him. I looked up megalomaniac Cruz is the guy in the party who fits the definition perfectly "a person who is obsessed with his own power". Cruz' performance makes Trump look like reasonable guy; he knew Cruz would not endorse but let him speak anyway.
BTW I think Cruz' excuse about Trump attacking his family is horseshit. Trump did nothing that Cruz didn't return in spades. Cruz has been making personal attacks his entire career.
I am overwhelmed by the immaturity on exhibit from some of the defeated R presidential candidates. What a bunch of cry babies! No wonder they got their butts handed to them.
Yah what April said.
It's easier to get on the same page with everyone when none of you have any principles you need to stick to.
Because Trump was happy to let Cruz commit suicide on national tv. Trump, unlike our Republican politicians knows how to fight. The crooked Dems are going to have a serious fight for a change.
The liberal media are in the process of convincing themselves that this is hurting Trump. Liberal losers!
April... It's a timing issue. The time to preen and crow for special attention is over. Now is the time to come up on this hill and fight. Lecturing your company of soldiers with reasons to ignore the commader of the army's battle orders out of conscience is about as far from Semper Fidelis as one gets.
Bernie Sanders now gets a chance to be the bigger man than Ted Cruz.
Cruz did have to endorese Trump. It turns out Cruz is a social idiot, if that wasn't obvious before.
Either endorse or don't come.
The word is graceless. Grace is a deep cultural feature of the West, if not Islam or Cruz or leftism.
Hillary was smart not to malign Sanders' family.
Theory 3: what April said. Progs serve the cause. Nothing personal, not even for Bernie.
After this, Cruz will still have the principles an insufficient number of people believed he truly held to be able to win him the nomination, but he'll need some major new sources of funding and critical pockets of organization; the head of his Virginia campaign has said he's done with him.
I the end, though, Texas will decide Ted Cruz's future in 2018. If he's not reelected, he'll never be more than a footnoted collection of interesting Washington events and phrases.
trad guy - Cruz was doing any of those things. Really - get a grip. The Butt hurt is pathetic.
rh - typical man-rage. So stupid.
Crooked Hillary has always been a control freak. We saw that in her running her Bimbo Eruption patrols, and we saw it with her illegal private email server. Trump is not, which is one reason he would be the better President. To run a big organization successfully, you need to know how to delegate. Obama, of course, still doesn't have a clue, which is why the inmates seem to have been running the asylum the last 7+ years. There is rampant corruption now at all levels of the federal govt because he didn't delegate as much as just went out and played golf. Part of the problems she is apparently having with her campaign revolve around dithering while maintaining control of the decision making. She also doesn't appear to handle stress well. Trump could afford to put Cruz on without a loyalty pledge because he knew he would come out on top. Crooked Hillary has no such confidence, and would have a meltdown if she had to face a renegade Sanders at her convention.
EMD
I thought Trump's "no big deal" response was great.
Me too! For once I cheer Trump! His silly weirdo rage filled supporters? Not so much.
"@Althouse, you seem to be implying that Cruz was a candidate more acceptable to the establishment Republicans than Trump."
Could you quote where you think I said that?
Sanders is a more agreeable guy and brings something beneficial to Hillary. Cruz is a disagreeable guy and Trump doesn't need him.
"Either endorse or don't come." Exactly.
"Duty, Honor, Country."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgqSI1BESVE
I started this campaign supporting Cruz. I have given him money. During this campaign Cruz demonstrated he was a poor candidate. Last night he demonstrated he is just as much of a narcissist as Obama.
All he had to do was say "we have our differences, but defeating Hillary is the most important thing on November 8." He couldn't even do that. He didn't have to say i endorse DJT, Just that we must win in November. His supporters were chanting 2020.
Fuck you people.
btw- Warren and Sanders are sell outs.
Don't be a sell out.
No - F you! Trump doesn't care - get over yourself. geez.
Suppose Tromp is a disaster and Hillary! is elected along with a Democrat House and Senate? In 2020, who you goin' turn to?
I have explanation #3: Trump is one of those people who, in spite of or because of his ego, doesn't feel the need to be surrounded by "Yes Men" (e.g. hiring the author of the article that slashed him to ghost write "The Art of the Deal"). Trump, rightly or wrongly, thought that Cruz had some role to play in the election moving forward.
Hillary, on the other hand, clearly brooks no interference. She is completely surrounded by sycophants. I'm sure her people made the Sandernistas bow & scrape to get the crumbs off the table. The Clintonites were thoroughly pissed that Sanders had the nerve --- the very nerve!! -- to challenge Hillary in what was supposed to be her royal coronation, & I'm sure they extracted what vengeance they could.
It'll be interesting to see if Bernie campaigns for Hillary with much enthusiasm.
When did Cruz claim that Trump's family was involved in an assassination?
And Cruz has shown more class than Kasich and Bush. He appeared and didn't slam Trump.
The "No big deal" line reminds me of the way Jim Brown walked back to the huddle after three line backers and a tackle tried to break his leg and poke out his eyes out in the pile after then tackle after Jim had left seven others in the dust 50 yards ago.
AprilApple said...
"EMD
I thought Trump's "no big deal" response was great."
Agree Because it demonstrated that trump was able to put the country above the petty and that there is something more important in November.
"Me too! For once I cheer Trump! His silly weirdo rage filled supporters? Not so much."
This event demonstrated how small a person Cruz is. My rage is not the rage towards an enemy. It is the rage against a betrayer. Cruz was on my side and he put himself above that fight against Hillary.
Cruz is dead politivally. I hope he gets primaries. Texas has more conservatives who want stab us in the back.
No - Achilles - this event showed how small some of Trump's supporters are.
GET OVER IT.
Because Republicans are much more bottom-up, organization wise, than the left gives them credit for, while the left is much more aristocratic than the left wants to believe.
AprilApple said...
"No - F you! Trump doesn't care - get over yourself. geez."
Trump doesn't care about Cruz.
Trump cares about defeating Hillary.
Cruz does not care about defeating Hillary. He is looking to 2020.
I care about defeating Hillary.
Anyone who cares about defeating Hillary is outraged. Anyone who doesn't care about defeating Hillary is an enemy. That includes Cruz and any of his supporters chanting 2020.
while the left is much more autocratic than the left wants to believe.
FIFY
Failure of the Deal. Trump gambled that Cruz would fall into line out of the instinct for self-preservation. This week what Cruz's Congressional colleagues have been telling Trump about Cruz finally sank in.
Damiksec...The networks spun it that way. Trump was complaining about the media bias that refused to even ask about Rafael Cruz being in a group photo of several CIA employed Cuban refugees passing out propaganda on the street in Miami. That photo included the CIA patsy Lee Harvey Oswald.
Rafael could have answered it easily. The worst it shows is that the Cruz family are old hands at political theater for The Bush family.
That word might be better.
YH has a good point. Part of being a control freak means that Crooked Hillart surrounds herself with sycophants. Trump does not, which is why he can run his business empire, and she couldn't. My guess is that for Trump, it is more instinctual, while for GW Bush and Romney, it was something they learned for their MBA at HBS. Yes, this is Management 101, but the old adage was that if you wanted a CEO, you hired a HBS grad, but otherwise they were more trouble than they were worth. Wharton, where Trump went, was known best for finance.
Outrage! Get the F over it.
They both were finalists. They both had to be able to speak. Now they will both return to the Senate. Without endorsing Hillary, Bernie would be a dead man walking in his caucus, especially if she loses. If Trump loses, Cruz will return to a caucus largely grateful and relieved, whatever they may say in public.
@Althouse, you win again. I went back and looked at old posts and cannot substantiate my impression. I am deleting my comment at 10:45 and replicating the second part of that comment below:
I think Trump wins by having Cruz speak, even knowing that there would be no endorsement. I think it shows his strength and his willingness to deal with people who do not fall in line behind him.
And I'm writing this as a person who backed Cruz.
AprilApple said...
"Outrage! Get the F over it."
We have. But Cruz is a dead letter. He is more likely to be primaried in 2018 than get double digits in 2020.
And more sadly he just weakened any influence conservatives may have had in a trump administration. Almost all of us will vote for him but it will be easy to point to this event and brush any conservative advice aside.
More importantly the senate and house will have no reason at all to listen to conservatives after Cruz showed everyone how weak and petty conservatives are.
It's obvious. Sanders didn't have to endorse Hillary, but he sure as hell would not be given a speaking slot if he didn't. Trump's people on the other hand must have just assumed Cruz would come around in the end. Political malpractice to not get him to endorse publicly before being allowed to speak in prime time.
Also, I don't recall Hillary being dumb enough to tweet a nasty photo of Sanders' wife or claim that Sanders' dad helped kill JFK. So Sanders doesn't have to look like a completely humiliated half-man to endorse her.
Trump even treats people who are on his side like crap--look at how he treats Christie. Clinton may not be very bright, but she was smart enough not to put Sanders in a position where endorsing her would make him look craven. In fact, by tailoring the Dem platform to the Bernie folks, they even gave him a chance to save face and act like he got something for his endorsement.
Contrast how well the Dems get their folks in line with how the Trumpstablishment has burned unnecessary bridges and left a complete mess.
"I think Trump wins by having Cruz speak, even knowing that there would be no endorsement. I think it shows his strength and his willingness to deal with people who do not fall in line behind him."
Big Mike.
"I think Trump wins by having Cruz speak, even knowing that there would be no endorsement. I think it shows his strength and his willingness to deal with people who do not fall in line behind him."
He could have, if he played it that way. By having his supporters boo the guy and lambaste him for the next 12 hours, it instead looked like they were impotent to stop him.
A smart operation would have simply cheered Cruz, and had Trump walk on stage to shake his hand at the end (and if Cruz refused, he would have looked terrible while Trump looked magnanimous) and treat "vote your conscience" like a Trump endorsement. Or hell, even say "I realize Ted's not on board with us yet, but I believe we will win him and his fans over yet". THAT would be a winning message. Instead, it looked like they were betrayed and unable to do anything about it, and just gave a prime time speaking engagement to a guy who stabbed them in the back.
Why? Because Democrats understand we are better together. Republcans continue to have major issues with this to the benefit of Democrats. Sanders endorsed Clinton because they are not that far apart on the issues. Democrats/ liberals understand cohesiveness and that there is strength in numbers.
Achilles - you are clearly NOT over it. Your hatred of Cruz has infected your soul.
Your guy won. Be happy. Do something positive for him, or you are hurting him.
Democrats do stick together. They are backing the most corrupt pol in history as proof.
Didn't Achilles say his guy was Cruz?
If so, his guy didn't win.
Brando @ 11:24.
Good point.
They cannot think that far. Too busy blinded by rage.
Trump is so much smarter than his opponents. Sneaky smart. Every time I think he MAY have erred, he proves me wrong. Pence is a great running mate and Cruz is the one with egg on his face.
Here's a consideration: I think Sanders is personally an affable man, who will work for the Democratic candidate as much as he loathes what she stands for. But, a sizable chunk of Bernie's supporters are not affable by any stretch, & are in no mood to work for the Party.
So, Trump, by his "magnanimous display" of letting Cruz get up at the convention & speak without an endorsement now puts the lefty Bernieites in the position where they can say to the Clintonistas "Look, the nasty ol' fascist Republicans are now brooking more real dissent in their tent than the Dems are. Our guy Bernie had to bow & scrape. Jeez, I wonder who the real fascists are here..".
Trump may just thrown a hornets nest into the Democratic convention.
AprilApple said...
"Achilles - you are clearly NOT over it. Your hatred of Cruz has infected your soul.
Your guy won. Be happy. Do something positive for him, or you are hurting him."
You should be smarter than this. I believe strongly in almost everything in Cruz's speech. But what Cruz did was weaken everything he purports to support in that speech. Cruz made it all less likely to happen because he put his personal ambition ahead of those principles. He also put his ambition ahead of the fight against Hillary.
Cruz is a flawed person and an enemy who betrayed his supporters for his own personal gain.
MockButtHurt - Trump needs smart supporters. You're clearly not one of them.
Achilles - I'm not really interested in your rage filled obsession with Cruz.
"Democrats do stick together. They are backing the most corrupt pol in history as proof."
Democrats are smart enough to understand the train wreck called Trump. Democrats are patriotic enough not to want to see the government burned down. Democrats recognize the totalitarian nature of Trump. Democrats will do what they have to in order to keep Trump from getting anywhere near the White House. Trump's incompetence, corruptness, intemperance, mercurial nature, and his narcissism preclude him from the Presidency. Democrats understand this. While Republicans keep fighting with each other, Democrats work to win.
How is Trump totalitarian considering he just let a guy who won't endorse him speak and possibly hurt his chances at winning?
If Trump were as totalitarian as I'm told, Cruz wouldn't be speaking, or would have been made to bend or break.
Instead, I'm told to vote for the non-totalitarian who keeps an enemies list and worked for years in secret to avoid any outside examination of her work while pushing for greater and greater power for herself, even when it meant breaking the law.
It's like: Does the other side even know the definition of totalitarian? Trump is a lot of bad things: Totalitarian? Significantly less so than Clinton [who is just boiler plate paranoid-corrupt, and not totalitarian in the sense most people mean.]
Trump: Wants to weaken the executive branch in some ways and exert muscles in other ways: Totalitarian.
Clinton: Wants to further centralize government power and restrict the ability of people to disagree with her [overturning Citizens United, for example]: Not Totalitarian.
"Cruz is a flawed person and an enemy who betrayed his supporters for his own personal gain."
Trump is perfect in Achilles' adoring eyes. Too funny. Too strange.
@Unknown,
Democrats are smart enough to understand the train wreck called Trump. Democrats are patriotic enough not to want to see the government burned down. Democrats recognize the totalitarian nature of Trump. Democrats will do what they have to in order to keep Trump from getting anywhere near the White House
Boy, you've drunk the Kool-Aid, haven't you? You get paid to write that blather, or, God forbid, do you actually believe it?
You know my list of questions for Hillary supporters. Go at 'em or go home. This "the horrors that are Trump" case of the vapors won't fly around here.
"How is Trump totalitarian considering he just let a guy who won't endorse him speak and possibly hurt his chances at winning."
There were negotiations as to whether Cruz would endorse or not up until the moment he got on stage. Trump being given kudos for "allowing" him to speak? LOL. Cruz held his fire and led them on and then he got his revenge while on stage at the Trump Convention. What could be better? Good for him.
Trump is producing a TV show. J.R. was on last night.
Democrats goose-step. Real Democrats, that is.
Young Hegelian,
Tell me how Republcans are principled. Tell me why Trump will make a better President than Clinton. I'm no more a Kool Aid drinker than you are. That you would vote for Trump tells me all I need to know about your politics and principles
Even Cruz recognizes the menace that is Trump. The man deserves credit for that. No servile "puppy dog".
Matthew Sablan - I always appreciate your excellent observations.
"Why Can Cruz Speak Without Endorsing Trump, But Bernie Had to Endorse Clinton?"
Theories:
3. Google "Vince Foster."
"How is Trump totalitarian considering he just let a guy who won't endorse him speak and possibly hurt his chances at winning?"
See, Trump could have had that be the main takeaway if him and his team did not act blindsided by this. If they'd said "Cruz isn't endorsing, but in the interest of unity we're going to give him a prime speaking slot anyway because we want all factions together in this" that would have worked out great for him, whatever Cruz did. Instead, it's not that he looks totalitarian, it's that he looks like an incompetent wannabe totalitarian, which wrecks his image as the "can do" guy.
@unknown,
That you would vote for Trump tells me all I need to know about your politics and principles
Oh, tell us about your principles, oh Holy One!
That's pretty rich for someone who is part of a crew of Unknowns who come here to always argue for the left, creating a new profile every time (the profile numbers change, I check them). Even the regular anonymity of our profiles isn't enough for your team. You have to add even more anonymity. Why is that, oh principled one?
What? You part of a crew working out of DNC headquarters or sumthin'? You wanna play the game here, grab a real profile & an avatar, jump in & stay around for a couple of years.
And still no defense of Hillary... If Trump is a shit sandwich, Hillary is just a shit sandwich with cheese, Unknown.
Oh, trust me. I'm not happy with Trump. I just feel like a lot of the things thrown at him ("Literally Hitler," for example) make it much, much easier to justify being OK with his actual flaws.
He's a deeply, deeply flawed candidate, and I'd like almost any of the other dozen choices we had more.
YoungHegelian, why so fixated on a Profile? Does having a profile somehow prove who you are to other commenters? Anyone can say anything about themselves on a Profile page and lie through their teeth.
Trump is a shit five course meal. Hillary may only be a shit sandwich. Choose.
AprilApple said...
"Achilles - I'm not really interested in your rage filled obsession with Cruz."
You wont engage because you know I am right and you are wrong. The main weakness of conservatives is we tend to value being right more than anything else. When combined with the natural human lack of self awareness we get people like Cruz and his supporters.
It is interesting watching you call us throne sniffers while you do the same with Cruz even as Cruz betrays our movement to further himself. All in the cause of Being Right.
Sanders decided to endore Hillary when she "inadvertently" referred to him as "Vince".
@Unknown,
Because it proves you & your crew have something more to hide other than what the rest of us hide, which is our personal lives. There are people here, like me, whose profiles have been stable for multiple years. Not you guys.
So, tell us all, why do the Unknowns tell us that they work in shifts, & by gumbers, right on time, another "Unknown" gets on line?
Why are you guys creating new profiles every couple of days at a minimum? Why the multiple layers of anonymity? What do you have to hide?
With so much acrimony between Cruz and Trump, why did Cruz get a primetime spot at the RNC at all?
Because it is (was) the REPUBLICAN PARTY convention, not the damned Trump convention. It is (was) the REPUBLICAN Party, not the damned Trump Party.
Trump is not the f*****g Emperor, like some Obama redux, who controls who has a say and what they will say. But I guess the Establishment powers that be have gone all in with Trump.
You know, the Romney folks were just the same in demanding that people now bow down to him.
Brando said...
A smart operation would have simply cheered Cruz, and had Trump walk on stage to shake his hand at the end (and if Cruz refused, he would have looked terrible while Trump looked magnanimous) and treat "vote your conscience" like a Trump endorsement. Or hell, even say "I realize Ted's not on board with us yet, but I believe we will win him and his fans over yet". THAT would be a winning message
I agree--that would have been a better way to handle it.
Bernie wasn't far back in the total vote count. He should have stayed the course. There had to have been a stick wielded, not a carrot dangled.
khesanh0802 said... [hush][hide comment]
BTW I think Cruz' excuse about Trump attacking his family is horseshit. Trump did nothing that Cruz didn't return in spades. Cruz has been making personal attacks his entire career.
Cruz' side published pic of naked Melania first. After Trump retaliated, that line was dropped pretty damn quick.
"Oh, trust me. I'm not happy with Trump. I just feel like a lot of the things thrown at him ("Literally Hitler," for example) make it much, much easier to justify being OK with his actual flaws.Oh, trust me. I'm not happy with Trump. I just feel like a lot of the things thrown at him ("Literally Hitler," for example) make it much, much easier to justify being OK with his actual flaws."
That's the problem with overboard attacks (even on Clinton). It muddies the water when there's some pretty glaring disqualifications there. Neither of these people is Hitler, neither means the end of America as we know it, but that doesn't detract from the fact that they're both hilariously unqualified to run a taco stand let alone the federal government.
"Because it is (was) the REPUBLICAN PARTY convention, not the damned Trump convention. It is (was) the REPUBLICAN Party, not the damned Trump Party."
It is, to an extent--the nominee does (and should) have a lot of say over messaging and who speaks, the point being to unify. They can choose to have a rival up there not endorsing them, but only do that if you're prepared with a way to spin it to your favor. Otherwise it blindsides you.
Note that there's almost no news about Pence's speech--and last night was his big intro to the country. That's a travesty, and I blame the campaign for it.
"So, tell us all, why do the Unknowns tell us that they work in shifts, & by gumbers, right on time, another "Unknown" gets on line?"
Maybe because they/ we are mocking you and poking fun at your obsession with "paid commenters from the DNC". LOL.
AprilApple and Achilles,
Take some deep breaths ad re-read your posts in a calmer light. You two are pretty much on the same page. The Hillarybots are the enemy.
I was initially a Cruz supporter and still have serious doubts about Trump. However, Trump played the petulant Cruz perfectly. Trump looks like the calm voice of reason in this whole exchange.
"I agree--that would have been a better way to handle it."
Plus, it would have fit the image Trump wants to project of a guy who "can make a deal with anybody". Just from watching the campaign, I'm under the impression he can't get a deal done to save his life, and the people he makes deals with quickly regret it or are stuck in morose silence or they do hostage videos like whatever Rubio posted last night.
I mean, obviously Trump must have been able to get a deal done at some point in his career--but why not give us some examples in the political sphere in this campaign?
It is rather telling that the Trump thugs believe that if people listened to and followed their conscience, or they otherwise prized freedom, they would not vote for Trump.
Think also of the sort of impossible position Trump put Cruz in. He got nasty about the guy's wife and father, and refused to apologize. So Cruz is stuck with a choice--break his "pledge" to endorse and be blamed for lack of unity, or swallow any sense of manhood he has left and endorse Trump anyway.
That bully mentality may work well with underlings and schoolyards, but sometimes people will rebel against it, as Cruz did last night. Maybe to Trumpites there was no good way out for Ted, but they might consider why Trump had to create that situation in the first place (particularly considering those attacks did nothing to help Trump either, and were just pointlessly malicious).
But yes, by all means that's the personality of someone we want running the White House. Did we learn nothing from LBJ's tenure?
What if Hillary picks Sanders as her VP?
What then?
The contrast between Trump and Cruz is interesting. Trump is solidly self-confident while Cruz is narcissistically self-confident (as is Hillary.) Cruz simply believes he's the smartest one in the room. Moreover, he fails to understand that whatever book/intellectual/debate smarts he may have, it's not the same as street/bureaucratic/practical smarts. (In this Cruz is like Obama; assuming that 'well read' translates into anything other than knowing facts.)
Thing is, Trump has seen plenty of Ted Cruz types in his life and isn't bothered by them. Ultimately, Cruz thinks and acts like an academic who skated through university. He isn't threatening to anyone, which is a big reason he's so ineffective in the Senate and why he lost.
It's worth noting that the more the electorate got to know Cruz, the more they disliked him. I think it's because we've all worked with Ted Cruz types and distrust them.
One of the odder things about the anti-Trump movement also happened with Romney; the idea that his business failures make him damaged goods. It's actually pretty much the opposite--nobody should trust any executive who hasn't had several failures, or at least one monumental one. It's how you learn. Knowing what not to do is far more important than knowing what to do.
In this regard, the key of Ted Cruz is that even when he fails, he won't accept responsibility or even admit to his failure. In his mind, he simply doesn't fail.
(I just worked with a guy just like Ted Cruz. NOTHING was ever his fault. And when he made up his mind about something, even if completely wrong, he refused to even debate the issue. It got so bad that at one point he quoted a standard to me which actually proved my point and disproved his, but he simply couldn't see it. Funny thing is, that for all his arrogant blustering, our highly incompetent boss wasn't bothered since the Cruz-alike was ultimately no threat. I was, as was the other older contractor.)
Of all the things about Hillary Clinton, this should bother people the most--she won't admit to mistakes. I'm not talking about tearing your clothes and shouting, "I failed", but in pretending the failure never happened.
Hillary and Obama are popular amongst Democrats precisely because liberals largely because liberals tend to think intentions matter more than actions. Conservatives tend to think the opposite.
The apparently butt hurt Richard Viguerie, "funding father" of modern conservatism:
Ted Cruz Committed Political Suicide On National TV
After failing to endorse the Trump – Pence ticket last night, in eyes of most conservatives with whom I spoke, Ted Cruz became just another self-centered politician who walked back on a promise, failed to live up to his own Biblical standards and, when the battle raged the fiercest, put his own petty hurts before the future of his country and the conservative cause.
I still like the Ted Cruz I thought I knew – the devoted family man, the loving father and husband, the talented lawyer, speaker, rhetorician and constitutional scholar.
But last night Ted Cruz pleased the 5% of #NeverTrump Republicans and disappointed and angered the vast majority in the conservative movement. In doing so Ted Cruz lost his chance to be the leader of the conservative movement, and effectively handed that mantle over to Mike Pence, in whom conservatives are now likely to invest their time, energy, resources and hopes to advance the conservative agenda.
There seems to be a distinction in the minds of some conservatives like Viguerie between the principle of principles and the principle of narcissism.
Brando said...Plus, it would have fit the image Trump wants to project of a guy who "can make a deal with anybody". Just from watching the campaign, I'm under the impression he can't get a deal done to save his life, and the people he makes deals with quickly regret it or are stuck in morose silence or they do hostage videos like whatever Rubio posted last night.
Well it's true there is some tension between those two Trump selling points, though: 1) is that he's a huge winner, always wins, always comes out on top, strongest biggest winner, etc., and 2) is that he's a great deal maker, can deal with anyone, always closes.
Deigning to make a BAD deal with someone (or a deal in which Trump wasn't a clear "winner") would reinforce 2) but hurt 1). On the other hand refusing to even allow a defeated foe like Cruz have a speaking slot would reinforce 1) but hurt 2).
Now IF Trump's campaign was all about his fidelity to some set of core conservative values I think he could have made an easy alliance w/Cruz (even given the nastiness of the primary campaign) and emphasized the overlap of their ideas and values. Trump's running on being a winner (personally), though, so it's tough for him to accept any ally who isn't fully supporting Trump himself (as opposed to some value or plan that Trump has).
Someone who says "I don't like Trump but I want a wall on the southern border so I'll vote for him" probably wouldn't get an enthusiastic welcome from Trump (that's my impression, anyway) and that kind of thing hampers coalition-building. The upside, of course, is that it allows Trump to appeal to people who might say "I disagree with this or that particular plan but I want someone to beat Hillary/the Left and actually fight back (in a way Romney and McCain did not)." So it's a tradeoff--if Trump wins it'll look like the right move. If.
It is also rather disgusting that in Trump's America there is no room for conscience.
That conscience would get booed, and that voting for people you trust to defend our freedom, and to be faithful to the Constitution would get booed, is beyond appalling.
If Hillary picked Sanders as her VP? Whahoo! Warren is a bit younger, age is a consideration, but either one would be amazing. It would fire up the base in a uuuuugggge way.
"That bully mentality..."
Why are people so thin-skinned and weak that they think any sort of assertiveness is bullying? That giving tit-for-tat is bullying? The dumbest comments I saw this week were people whining that the RNC and Trump's "whips" intimidated enough of the anti-Trump group to invalidate their request for a roll-call vote. Frankly, these are the same people that whine in companies when anyone makes a declarative sentence--they are the kings of mediocrity.
"It is also rather disgusting that in Trump's America there is no room for conscience."
Bullshit.
What got booed was that Cruz promised to support the nominee and broke that promise. People who break their word are among the most despicable and have no right to claim conscience.
Blogger Mark said...
It is rather telling that the Trump thugs believe that if people listened to and followed their conscience, or they otherwise prized freedom, they would not vote for Trump.
I've seen never Trump plagiarizing this thought all morning long. They must think they really have something clever there.
"Well it's true there is some tension between those two Trump selling points, though: 1) is that he's a huge winner, always wins, always comes out on top, strongest biggest winner, etc., and 2) is that he's a great deal maker, can deal with anyone, always closes."
There can be, certainly in the way Trump usually sells it (that a good deal is where you screw the other side, rather than both sides getting what was most important to them and being better off than if there was no deal at all). I guess he's so used to ripping people off in business that he can't see a deal in any other way.
With Cruz, a large part of it would have been running hard against Ted, staying on message and beating him then appealing to his supporters and hoping to coopt Cruz's ground game (his campaign had the best one in the primaries and Trump had none). It wouldn't have been hard for Cruz to endorse at that point, because it wouldn't have required him to look bad (accepting attacks on his wife) for doing so.
But once the damage was done, Trump could have (a) denied a speaking slot at the convention until a public endorsement was made, or (b) let him speak, and spin it as a win or a sign of his own thick skin.
Blogger Anonymous said...
If Hillary picked Sanders as her VP? Whahoo! Warren is a bit younger, age is a consideration, but either one would be amazing. It would fire up the base in a uuuuugggge way.
I'm pretty confident if she picked a wet rock for VP, you'd be here to tell us what an awesome choice it is.
Hell, she could pick a right wing Republican neocon and you'd tell us, brilliant!
"Why are people so thin-skinned and weak that they think any sort of assertiveness is bullying?"
The attacks on the guy's wife and father were a bit beyond. It would be hard to respect Cruz if he let that go, after Trump never apologized.
People who break their word are among the most despicable and have no right to claim conscience.
So you agree that in Trump's America, there is no room for conscience for all people. There is only conscience for those who the Trump people say will be allowed to have a conscience.
Cruz said that voters should follow their conscience. Are you saying that the American electorate is filled with people who have broken their word?
Face it. You are no better than the leftists.
"Why are people so thin-skinned and weak that they think any sort of assertiveness is bullying?"
Besides, "thin-skinned"? When Trump reacts to every minor slight with a flurry of rage, he's "hitting back twice as hard" but when another person decides he's not going to endorse someone who goes after his family he's the one who's "thin-skinned"?
Unknown at 7/21/16, 11:49 AM, you're giving the rest of us Unknowns a bad name. The last 7+ years have demonstrated conclusively that incompetence, corruptness, intemperance, mercurial nature, and narcissism do not preclude one from the Presidency.
One of the things that may be being overlooked here is that in instances of a nominating convention for a presidential candidate the only point of the exercise is to produce a collective conscience focused on collective principles and not to do just the opposite, refract interest into thousands of individual or idiosyncratic consciences, for example, one conscience of Ted Cruz for President, another conscience for some fresh, hot KFC, etc., etc.
The times for the exercises of separate, individual consciences for Cruz or KFC were before and after the convention to nominate and support the collective party's candidate.
Ace of Spades pretty much perfectly nails my thoughts on all this. I'm sick of all the blaming and mindless hero worshiping. The goal here should be to beat Hillary, not to get mired in internecine insult fests. Mistakes were made. Feelings were hurt. Let it go. It's all so unimportant to the broader electorate.
Cruz's speech signals loud and clear to the average non-axe-grinding voter that Trump doesn't insist on loyalty oaths before handing out candies, and is comfortable with the expression of all points of view, including those clearly opposed to his own.
The media's fluffing of this "controversy" is again helping him win. The contrast with Bernie's having to ankle to Hillary before getting a speaking slot (however true or not that is in actuality, it's apparently the story) is stark and won't be lost on Joe Voter.
Message: Trump is a generous spirit.
I can see the ad now -- "Don't vote your conscience. Vote for Trump instead."
Bernieites I know said it was because she agreed to include the $15.00 hr. min wage and free public college tuition in her platform.
Standing up for your conscience (and against the collective/societal will) is sometimes good and sometimes bad, to the Left, I've noticed.
The effusive praise for Muhaammad Ali defying the rules/law over a matter of conscience contrast sharply with the fulminous scorn and ceaseless calumny directed at a county clerk who similarly defied the rules/law over a matter of conscience.
Other examples abound, of course (flower shops, nuns, anti-war protesters, anti-government protesters, BLM protesters, different acts of civil disobedience by different groups)--but weirdly no one in the Media bothers to explain WHY they praise some acts of standing up for one's conscience and condemn others. It's almost like it boils down to support for ideological beliefs and not some larger principle.
It took awhile for the people to find out what was in the deal Hillary Clinton brokered with Barack Obama in Diane Feinstein's living room for her endorsement and support. But eventually we did. Apparently, it also included a "get out of jail free card". We'll find out how Hillary bought Bernie's support eventually, too. We already know about the book deal that was announced almost immediately after he endorsed her for "an undisclosed amount".
AprilAnnie is setting a new standard for projection. There's only one person on this thread filled with rage -- and it's you.
How difficult would it have been for Cruz to avoid using that specific phrase in his speech, but still not explicitly endorse Trump? On his side it seems like a smart person acting too clever by half.
"Bernieites I know said it was because she agreed to include the $15.00 hr. min wage and free public college tuition in her platform."
Correct Meeeeea,
Also she agreed to a Public Option. Bernie pulled her to the left, the base is on board and pleased with the platform.
Andrew Klavan today
The people who love Trump say that Cruz is a jerk for doing this he should have endorsed and the people who love Cruz said Cruz came across as a man of principle and Trump basically came across as small and mean. I supported Cruz when he was running he basically represents the things that I like.
I have to tell you, all this time, you've heard me say this on the air, I wondered why people don't like Cruz. Now I know. This was a classic moral error.
@"Unknown No Profile"
Go away.
Some of us don't have a killfile.
Blogger rhhardin said...
Andrew Klavan today
The people who love Trump say that Cruz is a jerk for doing this he should have endorsed and the people who love Cruz said Cruz came across as a man of principle and Trump basically came across as small and mean. I supported Cruz when he was running he basically represents the things that I like.
I have to tell you, all this time, you've heard me say this on the air, I wondered why people don't like Cruz. Now I know. This was a classic moral error.
This is exactly how I felt.
Why don't people like Cruz?
Now I see it.
Mark said...
"It is also rather disgusting that in Trump's America there is no room for conscience.
That conscience would get booed, and that voting for people you trust to defend our freedom, and to be faithful to the Constitution would get booed, is beyond appalling."
We boo people who put themselves ahead of the constitution. People like Cruz and his supporters who claim they are the only true conservatives. You are so pure you can't help defeat Hillary.
If you are going to be useless to the cause of freedom and condescending at the same time not only are you completely worthless you are annoying to be around. Grow up or GTFO.
Mark said...
"So you agree that in Trump's America, there is no room for conscience for all people. There is only conscience for those who the Trump people say will be allowed to have a conscience."
If you are not trying to defeat Hillary you are worthless. If you support Hillary you have no soul.
"Cruz said that voters should follow their conscience. Are you saying that the American electorate is filled with people who have broken their word?"
Anyone who refuses to vote for a candidate who can defeat Hillary meets this standard.
"Face it. You are no better than the leftists."
This is what is wrong with the "True Conservatives." They are too pure to fight Hillary and instead of admitting they are just butthurt cowards they lash out at all of the heathens who are still fighting. Cruz acted like this and now his political career is over and his supporters are taking conservatism down with it.
Brando said...
"Why are people so thin-skinned and weak that they think any sort of assertiveness is bullying?"
"The attacks on the guy's wife and father were a bit beyond. It would be hard to respect Cruz if he let that go, after Trump never apologized."
1. Cruz put the naked pic's of Melania out first.
2. Cruz Sr. was on the campaign trail viciously attacking Trump in very personal terms. He was not some innocent bystander.
The worst part of all of the whining about Trump's personal attacks was Cruz and his supporters are completely unwilling to admit that they are all about personal attacks. I remember when I supported either candidate and the Cruz supporters came at me with near on insane vitriol. Cruz and his team were far more vicious and personal. They act a lot like a cult.
I am sorry I ever supported Cruz.
Cruz showed his true colors when he undermined Ben Carson's campaign by spreading the rumor throughout the Iowa caucuses that Carson was getting out. What a sleaze!
"1. Cruz put the naked pic's of Melania out first."
False--Cruz and his campaign had nothing to do with that. Second, who cares if he did it first? Did Trump have to respond with an attack on a person (Heidi) who had nothing to do with it? He didn't, but apparently in your eyes Trump is an alpha male who hits back while it's Cruz who's thin skinned for not endorsing the guy after that. I don't get that logic.
"2. Cruz Sr. was on the campaign trail viciously attacking Trump in very personal terms. He was not some innocent bystander."
So here's an idea--Trump can lash out at the guy for whatever he's saying against Trump. Why bring up some conspiracy theory nonsense? What stable human being does that? He seems a lot more like a flighty celebrity (with the anti-vaxxing and Truther crap) than a hard headed businessman. I like a fighter as much as the next guy, but this is the equivalent of a fighter punching a tree rather than his opponent.
I don't think Cruz is perfect by any means, but then Cruz isn't the nominee trying to unite the party--Trump is. And maybe Trump doesn't care about winning this fall. He certainly doesn't seem to be doing the things that could have him running away with it.
Anonymous- Jill Stein offered the top slot on the Green Party ticket to Bernie Sanders. He could have continued to push Hillary Clinton and the Democrats further to left throughout the campaign quite publicly from the debate stage. Instead he folded up his tent and quietly went back to Vermont. Of course, there was a quid pro quo. Bernie has been a politician most of his adult life. He didn't leave the race without something in his pocket for himself. Bernie's fans are so sweet in their naivete.
So you agree that in Trump's America, there is no room for conscience for all people. There is only conscience for those who the Trump people say will be allowed to have a conscience.
Cruz said that voters should follow their conscience. Are you saying that the American electorate is filled with people who have broken their word?
Face it. You are no better than the leftists.
Hillary Clinton broke her word and followed her conscience.
Breaking promises with the excuse that you are "Following your conscience" is immoral and exactly what liberals do.
"Cruz said that voters should follow their conscience. Are you saying that the American electorate is filled with people who have broken their word?"
It's a meaningless, arrogant statement and suggests that voters weren't following their conscience when they voted against Cruz. But this isn't about the voter, it's about Cruz and promises HE made. It's about HIS character. It's all magnified by Cruz's claim of being a Christian. He's not, just another hypocrite who prays on the street corners.
Sanders had to stay in until Clinton was out of legal jeopardy, to make it look like they had a plan b,
"1. Cruz put the naked pic's of Melania out first."
They've been on the internet for like forever ~ 'cause hey, it's the internet and Trump is famous.
Trump running for president piqued interest ie who's to blame? = Trump!
>
But somehow/someway an Althouse Trump supporter will turn into pretzel telling everyone this is a positive for his campaign. Summing up: meaningless minutiae.
He's not, just another hypocrite who prays on the street corners.
Reagan was a genuine Christian, who did not politicize his faith. Cruz's faith is a matter between him and God and not for me to judge.
Bernie's fans also realize that the Green Party won't win the Presidency. It's not good enough to simply push the nominee to the left, it's imperative to win. How else can you realize your goals and see your agenda put into practice? Bernie didn't fold, he faced reality and he knows the Green Party has nothing to offer him to push his agenda through. That's called reality.
"Reagan was a genuine Christian, who did not politicize his faith. Cruz's faith is a matter between him and God and not for me to judge."
Reagan did not. Cruz did. I'm going to judge. To not do so shows moral apathy (and is really silly; are you suggesting we don't judge Hillary Clinton for her clearly moral failings in the public arena (and as a public servant)?)
Cruz apologized for that, ButtHurtTurtle. It was also a misunderstanding.
has Trump ever apologized to Ted for calling him "Lying Ted?"
If someone called me Lying Ted, I kick his nuts inside out.
The whole idea that Bernie will somehow push Hillary to be more progressive is rather amusing. For those that haven't been paying attention, she will say anything she has to in order to get elected. Once elected, she'll do what she damn well pleases. Old Bernie will be forgotten in an instant. She's old, lazy, corrupt and entitled. I don't imagine much of anything will be done if it doesn't personally enrich her and her sex offender husband.
"If someone called me Lying Ted, I kick his nuts inside out. "
Of course since it should be "lying April".
Besides, Ted was lying. You knew because his lips were moving. (Old joke, but hey, why not?)
Bushman, we'll see.
I do think that it was Dir Comey telling us that Crooked Hillary was above the law and that they wouldn't suggest indicting her that got Sanders out. Before that, he had the inside track if she had been forced out by that. After that, it was over for him.
Bushman, I agree. Wall Street is overall pro-Hillary and, though her campaign is trying desperately to play that down, Sanders supporters may not drink the Kool-aid.
The word is out that the Trump folks orchestrated the crowd reaction to the Cruz speech. From TPM:
Cruz told Trump of his decision not to give an endorsement at the GOP convention in a phone call two days ago, Cruz strategist Jason Johnson told the Associated Press. In a tweet after the evening's events came to an close, Trump said he'd seen Cruz's speech two hours early.
Bloomberg's Mark Halperin tweeted early in the evening that Trump convention czar Paul Manafort, no stranger to political power struggles, "owns the floor" and advised viewers to closely watch the crowd's reaction to Cruz's speech.
Manafort "just grinned and chuckled when asked by Mark Halperin if Trump aides encouraged boos of Cruz from floor."
Trump, of course, contributed his hatefulness but making an appearance on the floor near the end of Senator Cruz's speech. The man is going down in November - mark my words.
Trump shows his genus in what he did to Cruz. To me, it seems that Trump knows people and knows the media. He thus let Cruz hang himself. And he did a good job of it, showed his butt and unified the party.
@david7134 said...
Trump shows his genus in what he did to Cruz. To me, it seems that Trump knows people and knows the media. He thus let Cruz hang himself. And he did a good job of it, showed his butt and unified the party.
We are all literally dead when our principles die. There are folks like Trump who have no morals or an anchor to set their beliefs and obviously The Donald is turning lots of people in that direction. No party should ever dictate anyone's principles but they did last night.
Ace of Spades is up to speed on this controversy.
As I said before, Trump is far smarter than his critics.
Brando said...
"1. Cruz put the naked pic's of Melania out first."
"False--Cruz and his campaign had nothing to do with that."
Garbage. If Cruz had nothing to do with it then he should have been out first and condemned the attack ad. But he didn't. Cruz was on the stump telling people Trump attacked his wife because Trump lost in Utah and was scared.
This was when I lost much respect for Cruz. Cruz was dishonest about Trump's retaliation and worse Cruz would not accept responsibility for distancing himself from the attack. Cruz accepted that someone posted naked pictures of his opponents wife. At that point it didn't matter whether he gave the specific order or not as he encouraged it.
"So here's an idea--Trump can lash out at the guy for whatever he's saying against Trump. Why bring up some conspiracy theory nonsense? What stable human being does that?"
One that understands media and memes and wanted to win. Cruz had far more cash from the donor class to use than Trump did. One tweet that cost nothing went to the heart of his opponents campaign. In the end Cruz had to defend his father's associations with Fidel Castro. It helped that the Cruz campaign had little honor or integrity to fall back on to defend themselves.
I would love it if we had high minded campaigns honest campaigns. But we don't. We never will. I am tired of losing freedom because the other side understands winning is more important and my side doesn't.
gadfly said...
"We are all literally dead when our principles die. There are folks like Trump who have no morals or an anchor to set their beliefs and obviously The Donald is turning lots of people in that direction. No party should ever dictate anyone's principles but they did last night."
Get over yourself. Cruz and his supporters are showing what assholes they are. I deployed 4 times to defend this country and this constitution. You pretend you are so pure and so much better than us. You are too pure to try to defeat Hillary. But really you are just whiny little brats and nobody likes you.
I agree with supporting the constitution and going back to the founding principles that made this country great. So much so I will support someone I may not always agree with in hopes of avoiding a Hillary presidency. But Cruz and his supporters prove that they only care about themselves.
gadfly said...
"Trump, of course, contributed his hatefulness but making an appearance on the floor near the end of Senator Cruz's speech. The man is going down in November - mark my words."
The true goal of the #nevertrumper. They want to lose and say I told you so. You should feel shame to the core of your soul.
Mark my words - Cruz will never be a major presidential hopeful again. He will be lucky to escape the primaries in 2018.
AprilApple said...
"Cruz apologized for that, ButtHurtTurtle. It was also a misunderstanding.
has Trump ever apologized to Ted for calling him "Lying Ted?"
If someone called me Lying Ted, I kick his nuts inside out."
Why apologize if it was true? Cruz was saying at the time Trump supported Obamacare which was obviously and provably false. Cruz also started the Carson was quitting the campaign lie around that time.
The glove fit perfectly.
Cruz ran one of the most dishonest campaigns I have seen in a republican primary. It was repellent. It is actually quite astonishing so many of his supporters are whining this much about "dirty tricks." You people have absolutely no self awareness.
Joe: Reagan did not. Cruz did. I'm going to judge. To not do so shows moral apathy (and is really silly; are you suggesting we don't judge Hillary Clinton for her clearly moral failings in the public arena (and as a public servant)?)
Perhaps I didn't make my point clear. What I meant was waving the Christian flag as a political ploy. Reagan never did that. Cruz hoped to garner the evangelical vote but his sleazy tactics turned them off.
There seem to be a lot of protesters outside the arena with signs saying, 'America was Never Great'. How sad. I'm sure Barak & Michelle agree with them.
Cruz's seat is up for grabs in 2018, I predict he'll lose to a primary challenger, and that will be last we hear of him. Cruz will retire to some obscure law practice in some obscure burg where he'll spend his sunset days in probate court... Tsk, tsk, such a waste of talent, but that's hubris for you. History is littered with the corpses of bitter also-rans. There's no "Get the Fuck Over Yourself" course in any law school syllabus, but there ought to be. It would have helped Cruz defeat that suicidal urge which overcame him.
In case anyone thinks Cruz is completely dead politically, he's still twitching, and there is an opportunity. Limberbutt McCubbins is looking for a running mate.
Ace of Spades is up to speed on this controversy.
For someone who is up to speed on this controversy, Ace seems to be sawing the air with affected despair a bit too much, as if he were the world-weary depressive robot Marvin in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Trump picked the Rules of Engagement. He has to live with him.
Now I still favor Trump over Hillary Clinton.
But increasingly, I guess, I don't care who wins. This country is just fucking stupid. The entire GOP is fucking stupid. I cannot tolerate this unending stupidity from maniacs.
:
I just can't take it much longer. And I won't.
But maybe this sort of Lena Dunham performance art is only really meant as an attempt to keep all sides on board with him on his blog. He was anti-Trump until all his alternatives dropped out, then became pro-Trump of the necessity not to be pro-Hillary. Now he sounds as if he'd just prefer to kill himself - or at least force you, tears in your eyes, to revive him in the nick of time - because being anything at all for him has become such a crushing burden.
Ace has changed in the last several years, and not in the direction of being more focused or potent.
Good post, Quaestor at 6:28 PM.
Why apologize if it was true? Cruz was saying at the time Trump supported Obamacare which was obviously and provably false.
Donating to Reid in 2010 after he forced the bill thru is evidence, clearly, of opposition.
Trump cares about defeating Hillary.
Cruz does not care about defeating Hillary.
Cruz attacked Hillary more in that speech since Trump has since the primaries ended.
Damiksec...The networks spun it that way. Trump was complaining about the media bias that refused to even ask about Rafael Cruz being in a group photo of several CIA employed Cuban refugees passing out propaganda on the street in Miami. That photo included the CIA patsy Lee Harvey Oswald.
As I said, he claimed that he was involved in the assassination. That was a lot of words when "You are right" would've sufficed.
See, Trump could have had that be the main takeaway if him and his team did not act blindsided by this. If they'd said "Cruz isn't endorsing, but in the interest of unity we're going to give him a prime speaking slot anyway because we want all factions together in this" that would have worked out great for him, whatever Cruz did. Instead, it's not that he looks totalitarian, it's that he looks like an incompetent wannabe totalitarian, which wrecks his image as the "can do" guy.
No joke. He could've even had it so Cruz would be able to endorse him closer to the general. As it stands, Cruz will not do it. Trump's idiot fans insured that.
Note that there's almost no news about Pence's speech--and last night was his big intro to the country. That's a travesty, and I blame the campaign for it.
Especially since Pence nailed it out of the fucking park. Trump and his idiot fans couldn't do the smart thing and make the story "Pence gave an amazing speech and Trump tried to build bridges with wary right-wing voters". It's "Cruz screwed over Trump and why couldn't he stop it", as if Trump is owed an endorsement and his people didn't read the speech hours ago. This has been the sloppiest convention I've seen in my life.
It is odd that the same group that championed the phrase "cuckservative" got mad because Cruz wasn't one.
Cruz's pettiness will hurt him in the future. No one likes a sore loser. And its not like tons of people were doing cartwheels because Cruz didn't endorse.
Or maybe he's just a social retard.
People don't respect a cuckold who begs a guy who insulted his wife and father for his acceptance.
Cruz has been ineffective in the Senate and would be equally ineffective in the Oval Office. He couldn't make a deal with Monty Hall!
Cruz may lose in his next primary, but don't expect him to be relegated to probate court. I would expect an appellate practice, likely concentrating on the US Supreme Court. He has a good record there, and that isn't easy to get. Not that many with better records there. Being the brightest guy in the room, and a national debating champion helps. Natural place for him might have been the Supreme Court, but blew that last night, at least with Trump, but probably with any other Republican Presidents in the near future.
personally, I think of sanders as very close to his roots. and I think of his roots as how me and my hippie friends were back in the day.... when I have read about his start in the world... its pretty close to how we were living... hand-to-mouth, and also not particularly focussed towards a career... just mixed up. I left most of those people back in Chapel Hill when I went back to grad school and decided I couldn't handle the directionless life. so anyway... on sanders, I think of him as a guy who is essentially opportunistic.... why spoil the great ride he's been on and the prospect of making more money than he has ever seen. whats a few scruples when you can finally have a payday for the work you've put in.... and why shut himself out of potential job? whereas cruz probably way way more calculated.... sanders is perhaps a bit of bottom feeder, although passionate in his position.... but not used to actual wheeling and dealing, especially considering his roots...
Watching Trump fans parroting Mitch McConnell goes a long way to show how anti establishment they are. It totally does.
damikesc said...
"Donating to Reid in 2010 after he forced the bill thru is evidence, clearly, of opposition."
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/healthcare-reform
Ted Cruz is a liar. Deal with it. This is one of his least shady dealings this campaign.
"Cruz attacked Hillary more in that speech since Trump has since the primaries ended."
This is so obviously stupid I am not going to do more than post this tweet:
https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/755967178285907968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
No joke. He could've even had it so Cruz would be able to endorse him closer to the general. As it stands, Cruz will not do it. Trump's idiot fans insured that.
Cruz had his chance to help defeat Hillary. This was not a hard choice. He is a little bitch and put himself over the country. He is done.
"Note that there's almost no news about Pence's speech--and last night was his big intro to the country. That's a travesty, and I blame the campaign for it."
Cruz is totally not responsible for being a little bitch. Got it.
Especially since Pence nailed it out of the fucking park. Trump and his idiot fans couldn't do the smart thing and make the story "Pence gave an amazing speech and Trump tried to build bridges with wary right-wing voters". It's "Cruz screwed over Trump and why couldn't he stop it", as if Trump is owed an endorsement and his people didn't read the speech hours ago. This has been the sloppiest convention I've seen in my life.
It is odd that the same group that championed the phrase "cuckservative" got mad because Cruz wasn't one."
We are mad because Cruz is putting his 2020 aspirations ahead of 2016. Cruz ran one of the shadiest campaigns I have ever seen. Cruz and his supporters have no standing to complain about Trump playing hardball.
You people are so pure and so conservative and the only true conservatives and you are such assholes.
Matthew Sablan said...
Oh, trust me. I'm not happy with Trump. I just feel like a lot of the things thrown at him ("Literally Hitler," for example) make it much, much easier to justify being OK with his actual flaws.
He's a deeply, deeply flawed candidate, and I'd like almost any of the other dozen choices we had more.
Lessee. Why Trump? Well, for one thing, he isn't a low life, grifting, upper class wannabe,conscienceless, shit stain of a murdering whore that Hillary is.
And those are just her good points.
Ted Cruz is a liar. Deal with it. This is one of his least shady dealings this campaign.
TRUMP. GAVE. MONEY. TO. THE. PEOPLE. WHO. PASSED. THE. BILL. BEFORE. AND. AFTER. THEY. PASSED. THE. BILL.
This is not evidence he opposed it. Not donating would've been evidence.
This is so obviously stupid I am not going to do more than post this tweet:
Cruz gave a speech in prime time slamming her over and over.
You cite...tweets. One showing that people like you know that a vote by your conscience won't be a vote for Trump.
C'est la vie.
His supporters are turning me back into somebody who won't vote for Trump. Because you sycophants need to be slapped down.
Cruz had his chance to help defeat Hillary.
He's done more than Trump.
Cruz is totally not responsible for being a little bitch. Got it.
Cruz wouldn't endorse a cunt who decided to insult his wife and father. I'm glad to know YOU'D sell out your family to keep a political career active.
We are mad because Cruz is putting his 2020 aspirations ahead of 2016.
You're mad because he didn't kiss Trump's ring. Tough shit. Perhaps Trump shouldn't be such a dick.
Cruz ran one of the shadiest campaigns I have ever seen. Cruz and his supporters have no standing to complain about Trump playing hardball.
We aren't the ones whining.
I just wishes he begged people to not vote for President but vote down ticket.
You people are so pure and so conservative and the only true conservatives and you are such assholes.
I'm not the one begging for Trump to fuck me. You are. You're so against the establishment that you're...siding with the establishment as much as possible.
No wonder people kicked the shit out of you people in public when given the chance. I no longer fault them. Mobs --- PLEASE ATTACK TRUMP SUPPORTERS.
The Art of the Deal there must have at least a few lines about not worrying over the little things. Endorsements from sitting politicians are actually little things in the campaign of Donald Trump.
Damikesc,
But doxxing or swatting you would be wrong?
But doxxing or swatting you would be wrong?
Knock yourself out.
...of course, since you asked, I'd have to forward that info to authorities, but c'est la vie.
You make your choices and I'll make mine, sparkles.
But, as of now, nichevo no longer exists. Keep posting. I'm glad you are now obsessed with me. Feeling isn't mutual. I've never actually used a block app for blogger. You broke that. Congrats.
Oh no, no, no. Just a fair question, so I thought. Since you were blatantly inciting others to violence. Didn't mean to get you all pissy-pants.
Obviously you answered the question: incitement to violence is okay for you, but only for you.
Funny, I once thought you were solid.
Did someone say you were a DA somewhere? You probably have authority poisoning. I.e., drunk with power.
On the basis this guy is telling the truth, please someone quote me so he can read it. I promise I can't think of anything else to say to him.
Except-obsessed? Really? This is the first time I've ever addressed you by name. Or is that the kind if calumny lawyers like to do to lay the groundwork for some other nonsense? Well, whatever.
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