Posted on 09/30/2014 7:52:05 AM PDT by SoConPubbie
While there is not yet a front-runner in the early race for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) is quickly becoming the favored contender of social conservatives, riding a recent wave of fiery speeches and standing ovations at right-wing conferences.
Cruzs core supporters on the right are the activists and high-powered interest groups determined to keep faith-infused positions at the center of the Republican Party, regardless of a push by some in the GOP to seek distance from socially conservative stands on marriage and abortion.
Greg Mueller, a conservative strategist who has worked on three Republican presidential campaigns, said whats fueling Cruzs rise is a fierce determination by social conservatives not to be dictated to in 2016, as he believes they were in the past two elections and told to rally around more centrist nominees.
Many social conservatives feel their issues have been kicked to the side and they are frustrated. Someone like Cruz taking the nomination in 2016 would give them a voice again, he said. Its still early, and there are many potential candidates that could appeal to this base, but there is no question Senator Cruz has some early momentum with them. He hits all of the main themes the conservative base want to hear.
Conservatives see an opening in the disarray in the GOP establishment, which has yet to settle on its preferred candidate amid former Florida governor Jeb Bushs indecision about running and the troubles of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has seen his administration embroiled by a scandal over last years politically motivated closure of traffic lanes near the George Washington Bridge.
There is a brewing sense on the right that if a well-financed establishment Republican isnt surging ahead, conservative Republicans could capture the nomination, with a consensus candidate eventually
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
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Here’s what will happen:
Ted runs. He arouses passion in the base. he doesn’t get nominated. Base gets pissed. Base claims it will never vote GOP again. Some in base will bemoan “but if you don’t vote for the nominee then Hildabeast will win the WH and what about Congress?” Base votes for Jeb Bush. Jeb Bush slaughtered in the General.
Rinse. Repeat.
Nice scenario.
Given the circumstances - I might could vote for Jeb. But if it were Christie or Romney, then I stay home.
And endure the flames of many FReepers who would claim that I helped Hillary get elected. That it was my fault.
And to that I say...(self edit)
Yeah Romney needs to walk away from the White Horse prophecy.
I want a candidate that boldly speaks the truth.
That’s not “politic”, but I’m betting they’d have far more success than any “political advisers” would think.
Thousands of GOP voters in SW Missouri stayed home when Jim Talent ran for reelection. The result was Claire mcCackle.
Sounds like the democrats have got a lot of Rino’s into the GOP and the moles have gained the trust of the chimps who vote for them.
I think the greatest problem is the lack of voter turn out in the republican base the dems are good at it.
Same scenario of any election. It’s always hard to give up emotionally vested interest. If the other candidate is worth a damn, they can win over converts. Look at Hillary voters in 2008 or McCain voters in 2000. Contested primaries do not mean a loss in the general.
If Ted runs and runs well, I don’t see anyone else who’s going to beat him so far. Romney? nope. There was no one in 2012 that is 25% of the candidate Cruz could be. Hell, McCain beat Romney in 2008. The ones that could beat him are sitting governors who also run well. A Scott Walker or Jindal for example. If either of them ran, I see no issues getting voters out in November. Christie or Jeb, yes...but that’s on them.
Social Conservatives...
Good grief. Now even labeling someone a Conservative (read that terrorist in today’s vernacular) isn’t enough. Now you have to add in “Social”.
Ted Cruz will get along just fine as long as he adheres to the Constitution and does things that return this nation and it’s government to their proper role.
In the primaries we need to get behind one candidate. SC loaded there field up and Nancy Graham easily won.
NC is running Tillis and the GOPe brings in the most hated Rs to help! Christie and Bush!!!! This race should have been a cakewalk but the establishment Rs think they know best. The RAT, Hagan, is hated and yet still will most likely win. Even with the anti incumbant mood
So when was the last time that the comPost branded a meeting of democrats as a left-wing conference?
Cruz will sweep the GOP. He appeals to the grassroots. The old leaders will oppose him, but he will push them aside. That’s how it always happens when the right man comes along.
Well here’s the thing ... we are not in a static situation. Not to put too fine a point on it but Conservatives are dying off and not being replaced by anything. It’s time to go all in with a marginal hand before we go all in with nothing at all ... or just play it to the river with a crap hand.
“Social Conservatives” Yeah the WP just had to throw that in. Cruz is respected by all conservatives not just “Social Conservatives”. Personally I see him more as a Constitutional Conservative than a Social Conservative.
Cruz will sweep the GOP. He appeals to the grassroots. The old leaders will oppose him, but he will push them aside. Thats how it always happens when the right man comes along.
Ted is the only one I would give a dime to, and I’d give him thousands of dimes.
Not a penny to any RINO PAC, though. Ever.
Agree.
Jim Talent lost the support of purists. They, in turn, gave us two terms with the screeching harpy.
There is history to what you say...the “old leaders” didn’t like Ronald Reagan!!!
I’m not properly a “Social Conservative”, and I’M frustrated with the GOPe.
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