Posted on 01/15/2016 5:26:10 AM PST by RoosterRedux
The Fox Business debate made clear that the Republican primary is Donald Trump's race to lose. It's not only that Trump continues his months-long polling lead and the debate won't do anything to change that. It's that Trump's considerable political skills were on display Thursday evening. Provocative, gauche, funny, emphatic, and fearless, Trump doesn't back down when the crowd boos him, he holds his own against more polished opponents, and he has identified and exploited the anger of many Republican and independent voters.
But Trump has done something more. He's become the focal point of the 2016 campaign in a way no other candidate of either party has. Fair or not, it's Trump's statements and policy declarations that become fodder for debate questions and force his GOP rivals to respond or adjust. Look at how he's changed the tenor of Marco Rubio's campaign from being sunny and future-oriented to being exasperated at the state of the country under Barack Obama. Trump's suggestion that Democrats would challenge the legality of Ted Cruz's status as a "natural born citizen" forced Cruz to go on the attack--something Cruz did not anticipate having to do this early.
Cruz, the champion debater, easily bested Trump on the citizenship question. But it's hard to say how the GOP electorate will respond to their other exchanges. When saying Trump represented "New York values," Cruz was acting as though the only Republicans who vote in primaries are very conservative and the only region that matters to the GOP is the south. He may have helped himself in Iowa, but also harmed his campaign in other states in a contest where every delegate counts.
(Excerpt) Read more at freebeacon.com ...
Ping
Thank you “Captain Obvious!”
If it wasn’t for Trump, the issue of illegal immigration would not have even been mentioned by the other republican candidates. No one else would have even dared to say that maybe, just maybe, we don’t really need a flood of Muslims entering the country. None of them would have displayed any kind of willingness to actually fight Clinton using her own tactics. All the others combined would not have generated anywhere near the amount of interest as Trump has done with his masterful ability to play the media.
I agree, emphatically!
And he may have hurt himself in Iowa too
Spot on!
Cruz would make a great president of the Confederacy. The entire USA, not so much.
TRUMP is setting the agenda, the playing field. I've never seen anything like it.
For a couple of grand, he will get a million bucks worth of free publicity, and get the anti-hildabutchbitch story out.
As far as I know, even the Muslim countries have a ban on Muslims entering their countries.
Bush eliminated himself completely from being considered for president with the Muslim topic. He showed that in his mind the American people were not first
As to the issue of Cruz’s birth Trump did not loose the war only one battle I still predict that before the convention a declarative judgment will be asked for. Last night was just part of the script setting the request up. The guise will be as vetting to open the door for the vice presidential position. Remember Trump’s sister was a colleague of Sam Alito with almost identical records Her expertise is as close to DT as a phone call or across the dinner table and Cruz has experience in front of the SCOTUS. They are learned men and know what they are doing.
If you thing the democrats are worried and desperate men before .... OMG
Both Cruz and Rubio need SS security asap. They both will need SC vetting Cruz actually included Trump in the group to give him cover to be included. We are talking about three brilliant men. And the son of a postman!
Only if you consider the debate closed. It is not. There still must be a legal opinion rendered on what constitutes a "Natural Born Citizen". Hasn't been done yet. It will be raised by someone. Bet on it.
True. Trump is the debate champion.
I felt like I was watching one man, Trump, who was on a level several rungs above the others, but I was proud of them all.
The process is working perfectly to reveal, over an extended arduous race, who has the skill and stamina to go the distance. Winner by several lengths, The Donald!
I’ve read this type of comment a number of times this morning. I simply don’t agree with this view. Cruz’s responses didn’t clarify the legal point that Trump made. In fact, they weren’t even serious retorts, just snarky and snide jabs at Trump. The lawsuits are being filed and the courts are being forced to address the matter. How does all remotely merit giving some sort of debate points or legal victory to Cruz? And I liked Cruz before Trump came along!
For just one showing or for as long as people will attend? As you said he is a genius hope the MSM picks up on this. And people were complaining that he had only spend $900,000 of the $2 million for TV advertisements. (Which we all hate)
See my post above yours. We are in agreement
The republicans being the party who supports the constitution as written will join together to request the Declarative Judgment. Trump, Cruz, Jindal, Rubio will all be a part of it
Americans will be the winner and guess who will be the biggest looser !
The lunatic Grayson has lodged some suit and I’m sure other Dems are going to try. So in that sense, Trump is certainly accurate. People will have to decide whether it’s a problem for him or not. I’m more concerned about his explanation of his million dollar “clerical error.” Not buying that.
:-D SUCH a good day! And I haven’t even *seen* much of the debate yet.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!
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