Ted Cruz and the Myth of ‘Unelectability’

American Clarion ^ | November 14, 2015 | Bob Ellis

[2ndDivisionVet]

Have you ever heard people say that a genuine conservative is “unelectable”? If you’ve ever been around RINOs, I’m sure you have.

Liberals always think conservatives are unelectable. Why? Because they don’t like conservatives for one thing, but also because they don’t want conservatives to be electable. Liberals live in a fantasyland where thoughts and feelings = reality, and they expect the rest of the world to conform to their “reality.”(continued)

[Norm Lenhart]

People who say TC is unelectable simply want to vote for someone more liberal. If they truly wanted conservative governance, they’d vote for it instead of making up excuses to not vote for the most conservative guy in office since Reagan.

They don’t like hearing that but it’s the reality.

[5th MEB]

TED CRUZ is my choice for PRESIDENT.
Trump is a very distant second.

[dynoman]

If true it would show in rally and poll numbers.

[dynoman]

“People who say TC is unelectable simply want to vote for someone more liberal.”

Fallacy of too few alternatives, strawman, and not true.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks for the post.

Good piece.

[arista]

In the past 40 years, the biggest Republican presidential landslides were Reagan's two elections, and Reagan was by far the most conservative GOP nominee during those 40 years.

So-called independents or moderates by definition have no firm ideology or principles, so moving your principles to the left to try to appeal to them is a fool's errand. Those voters vote based on non-ideological factors like like charisma and personality. There is ample opportunity for a charismatic candidate of any ideology to appeal to them, just like the charismatic liberal Obama or conservative Reagan appealed to them.

[flaglady47]

“Those voters vote based on non-ideological factors like like charisma and personality. There is ample opportunity for a charismatic candidate of any ideology to appeal to them, just like the charismatic liberal Obama or conservative Reagan appealed to them.”

Except Cruz is not charismatic, and it shows in the polls. Great brain, great debater, not charismatic. Trump is the charismatic one, and it too shows in the polls. Plus he also has a great brain. Not the greatest debater, because he’s never really done it before, but he is an incredible speaker, who mesmerizes his audiences.

[peyton randolph]

he is an incredible speaker, who mesmerizes his audiences.

---

 Trump's speeches open like a Johnny Carson monologue. The time is spent warming up and connecting to the crowd.

After making the connection, Trump transitions into more substantive territory. At that point, whether or not the audience is completely on board with him for a particular policy issue, Trump gets the benefit of the doubt because they believe he's looking out for their interests (unlike Wall Street and Washington).

Whether or not it's an act, it works. Ted Cruz and most other politicians can't pull it off.

I'll be voting for Cruz in the primary but have to give credit where it is due. Trump can work a crowd.

[Norm Lenhart]

Really? You have a guy with a 97% lifetime conservative rating. Are you saying that a conservative is better served by GOPe types or former democrats?

If not then by all means, how does an actual conservative who wants actual conservative governance get actual conservative governance without voting for the far and away, most conservative guy in the race? Does he get it by voting for GOPE and losing as with the liberal Romney? No?

Does he get it with former Democrats that run on socialized medicine platforms? No?

Well then by all means explain why my assertion is incorrect. Because logic 101 says if you want a thing, you pursue that thing. Nor dome other thing with little to no relation. And in the case of politics, you empower the person with your vote.

[erod]

[fatnotlazy]

Most of the people I’ve encountered who say Ted Cruz is unelectable are afraid of him and his presidency. They think he will establish a theocracy that will round up nonbelievers and imprison or kill them. The guys are particularly frightened. Of course, this hysteria is unfounded, but it’s been fun watching these people get their panties in a wad.

[Yosemitest]

AN OUTSTANDING ARTICLE !

" ... Liberals live in a fantasyland where thoughts and feelings = reality, and they expect the rest of the world to conform to their "reality."

Sadly, there are a lot of good folks out there who have never really thought things through, who take these liberals at their word
(probably because a lot of so-called "professionals" in the "mainstream" media, academia, and political circles claim with haughty authority
that it is so-
and who wouldn't obey believe the "professionals," after all ?).
I've even heard such tripe parroted by people that I know know better, because they are otherwise right on the issues.

Many folks just don't stop and think through some of the propaganda they're fed today. ...

So
do conservatives really believe
that their own values and principles are worthless ?
Do conservatives really believe
NO ONE believes in the values that made America the greatest nation in history ? ... ?

THANK YOU for posting such AN OUTSTANDING ARTICLE !

[Vigilanteman]

The more I see of Ted Cruz, the more I am reminded of a younger version of Sen. Jeff Sessions: articulate, courageous and extremely polite. He connects very well to his average listener and is as likable as Ronald Reagan.

While I realize we have a dumbed down electorate which is totally different than what we had in 1980-84, I just don't see him fitting the liberal caricature of a conservative.

[Ted Grant]

I like him and would vote for him, but he can’t get along with his fellow senators now, I can’t see how that would change should he be elected president.

I think his problem is that he’s selling conservative principles and philosophy, but the American public isn’t shopping for that right now. I honestly see him on the wrong end of a 400 electoral vote landslide.

[Arlis]

So funny - because IT IS RINO’S THAT ARE UNELECTABLE! AND IT’S BEEN PROVEN REPEATEDLY!

(sorry for shouting....)

[Yosemitest]

"the liberal caricature of a conservative."

The liberal caricature of a conservative" IS, like ALL THING LIBERAL, .... A LIE !

[dynoman]

I like Cruz, even bought his book. But he’s not connecting well enough to beat Hillary head to head. It’s painfully obvious in these two videos;

Trump; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRRpEcA5Tqs

Cruz; https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/664907296523202560?s=09

[Yosemitest]

"... BUT" !
Vote YOUR conscience, and no one else's !

[cripplecreek]

People who say TC is unelectable simply want to vote for someone more liberal. If they truly wanted conservative governance, they’d vote for it instead of making up excuses to not vote for the most conservative guy in office since Reagan.

Yup, we see it in every single election cycle and they're wrong time after time.