Presidential Horse Race 2016: Are Ted Cruz and Donald Trump in cahoots?

As we’ve seen in all of the post-debate polls, Donald Trump is safely in the lead -- though there is still some question as to how big Trump’s margin really is.

Neil Stevens of RedState looks at the polls and says they present a lot of questions.

“We have three polls since the debate and the Gathering. Two are registered voter polls by Fox and CNN. The third is a likely voter poll by Rasmussen Reports. They don’t agree with each other, except that name recognition is very important: The candidates who are far ahead in name recognition are doing much better in all of this early polling.”

Because Trump’s lead appears to be enduring, signs are starting to emerge that the GOP establishment is panicking. Jonathan Easley of The Hill quotes a host of consultants with varying opinions on Trump, ranging from “he’ll fade” to “he’s dangerous.”

A few, like former Iowa Republican Party political director Craig Robinson, seem to get it. “I still don’t think national Republicans are taking him seriously enough. People in both parties said the same things about the Tea Party movement in 2010. They said it wouldn’t last, that the anger isn’t channeled into anything. But what we’re seeing in this primary is another level of disgust and frustration, and it’s something that needs to be taken seriously.”

Here’s a view (from George Neumayr of the American Spectator) arguing that the establishment is going to have to call out Trump on his departures from limited government conservatism in order to stop him.

Neumayr writes, “Even though it cuts against their moderate instincts, they will have to fake up an interest in Trump’s deviations from conservatism and intensely engage them to upend his campaign. It is his positions, not his personality, that makes him vulnerable.”

It won’t be easy for the others to one-up Trump, especially since he makes them look “mealymouthed and evasive” (a quote from Mark Steyn, as reported by The Right Scoop).

The Donald’s own conservative supporters would have to admit he’s said a lot of questionable things – and we’re not even talking about Megyn Kelly. Trump has waffled on Planned Parenthood, said that he’s “fine” with Affirmative Action and he’d likely be in favor of a special wealth tax, to name just a few.

Trump doesn’t talk much about constitutional limitations, preferring to discuss the things he’d do to “make America great again.” It sounds like a lot of executive power, not unlike what we’ve seen with the current White House occupant – just this time, from a cut up the government perspective.

A couple days ago we introduced Matt Lewis’s (of the Daily Caller) theory on a possible Ted Cruz/Donald Trump secret alliance.

Tim Mak of the Daily Beast reports there’s more to it than just rumor. “Behind the scenes, Cruz has been methodologically developing Trump’s support. The two candidates have met in person at least five times and talk by phone occasionally. And in the future, they may even hold events together.”

Neither campaign will officially comment. The two have crossed paths on several occasions and appear to like each other. Whether there’s anything deeper than that is pure speculation.

We all know Trump is a master at manipulating the media and Cruz is without a doubt the greatest intellect in the race on either side. They’d be a powerful political partnership.

Even liberals are starting to take notice of Cruz. Al Hunt of Bloomberg says Ted should not be underestimated, and that he has a workable strategy.

“Cruz's campaign manager, Jeff Roe, says his team divides the Republican electorate into four parts: a relatively moderate and business-centered establishment faction, the Christian right, the Tea Party anti-government bloc, and libertarians. Cruz contends he's competitive in all but the establishment bracket.”

Ted Cruz has suffered the full force of the establishment media’s negative blitz and thus far has come out stronger. His greatest ally isn’t Trump – it’s his popularity with the grassroots. Conservatives trust him and that’s the strongest type of support.

While Carly Fiorina’s poll numbers have been higher in the post-debate surveys, she’s still not a lock for the main stage in next month’s second GOP presidential debate (on Sept. 16 at the Reagan Library).

Hadas Gold of Politico reports, “CNN is taking the average of surveys released by 13 major polling operations between mid-July and Sept. 10 to determine the top 10 participants for the main event, while the remaining candidates who score at least 1 percent across their three best polls will participate in an earlier debate.”

Fiorina’s support was 5% in the CNN/ORC poll released earlier this week, which puts her in 10th place (bumping Chris Christie off stage). She’s been higher in other polls, but can’t afford to let up, lest she find herself relegated to the lower-tier forum once again.

Her campaign staff is keeping her on the run and her name’s been in the news lately – including some negative press concerning her tenure as CEO of Hewlett Packard. Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. of the Wall Street Journal defended Fiorina in that regard (click on the story link when you get to this page).

Jenkins says CEOs have unrealistic expectations placed upon them and there are a lot of other considerations when assessing Fiorina’s time at the helm of HP.

“A way forward is better than no way forward. Missing has been leadership willing to tackle the challenge. In that sense, the HP battle ought to be seen as an argument in favor of Ms. Fiorina, not against her.”

The memories of another CEO (of Bain Capital) running on the Republican ticket are still fresh with a lot of people, so it shouldn’t be overestimated how damaging these types of attacks can be on a candidate.

Time will tell whether conservatives are willing to look past Fiorina’s rough spots. After all, she is very articulate and does not shy away from a fight.

She’s creative, too. For example, Carly took on the TSA by giving it a one star rating on Yelp. In the review, Fiorina said (as reported by Jazz Shaw of Hot Air), “The American people are tired of a professional political class that speaks in platitudes and cannot get anything done. Whatever your cause, whatever your issue, whatever festering problem you hoped would be resolved, the political class has failed you."

She’ll likely get a lot of attention just from this simple act of writing a review on Yelp. It’s a smart and cheap way to get some “earned media.”

Lastly on Fiorina, Ann Coulter “hates” her. Yes, Coulter actually said the word “hate.”

As reported by T. Becket Adams of the Washington Examiner, Coulter, a known Trump supporter, said recently on the Mike Gallagher radio show that “At first, I admit I was suspicious because I hate this, 'Oh, a woman can talk, oh, that's great!... But I just hate this 'Affirmative Action' among Republicans."

What sealed the hatred for Coulter was Fiorina’s calling of Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship “completely unrealistic.”

Our moms teach us that “hate” is a strong word. But Ann Coulter’s never been one to pull punches and she doesn’t care about making friends.

For what it’s worth, here’s a hint at how Fiorina says she deals with the “haters.” I wonder if that now includes Coulter?

Finally today, the conservative group American Principles in Action grades the GOP candidates on their level of opposition to Common Core, and as reported by Jonathan Easley of The Hill, both John Kasich and Jeb Bush earned an “F.”

As if Jeb’s family wasn’t enough of a drag on his candidacy, his championing of a federal role in education might prove to be an even bigger hurdle to climb over.

And it’s also not the only issue Jeb would receive a failing grade from conservatives.

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Engineer and perennial candidate
	Jack Fellure
A stubborn refusal to say “die” is one of the hallmarks of Jack Fellure, who's been running for President every four years since 1988. He's a dauntlessly religious man and a rock-solid conservative, advocating alcohol prohibition and the criminalization of homosexuality, among other right-wing positions. More on Jack Fellure

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate U.S. Senator from Kentucky
	Rand Paul
Sen. Paul finally emerged from the huge shadow of his larger than life father, maverick Republican Ron Paul, when he was selected to deliver the tea party response to President Obama’s SOTU address in 2013, and in the process, cementing his de facto leadership of the movement. More on Rand Paul

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Businessman and former IRS Commissioner
	Mark Everson
A strong conservative with an extremely dim view of large banks, Mark Everson calls the integrity of mainstream politicians into question and accuses them of catering to monied special interests. He strongly believes a President should serve only a single term. More on Mark Everson

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Author
	Andy Martin
On the surface, Andy Martin is a pretty straightforward conservative with little standing out about him. He's got a colorful past, though, filled with vexatious litigation and accusations of being an anti-semite. He has sued the State of Hawaii for the release of Barack Obama's birth certificate. More on Andy Martin

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate U.S. Senator from Florida
	Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio is definitely on the short list of names for Republican frontrunner. Being himself of Cuban heritage, he enjoys strong support among the important Latino demographic, in addition to holding solid conservative principles that make him eminently likeable to the Republican constituency. More on Marco Rubio

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate U.S. Senator from Texas
	Ted Cruz
The Harvard and Princeton-educated attorney once served as the Domestic Policy Advisor to former president George W. Bush. Noted for his formidable oratory skill, Senator Cruz is viewed by some as one of the intellectual leaders of the tea party movement. More on Ted Cruz

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Entrepreneur, innovator, limited government advocate
	Brian Russell
Brian Russell is a successful entrepreneur who believes that implementing sound economic policy should be the government’s top priority. He also supports a strong military and foreign policy that presents the USA as the true leader in the free world. More on Brian Russell

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Businessman and veteran
	Michael Petyo
A “business first” fiscal conservative with a very optimistic view of the role played by corporations in generating wealth, Michael Petyo is himself a business owner who feels the United States has lost its way economically and that relaxed regulation on the private sector is the solution. More on Michael Petyo

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Veteran and volunteer spokesperson with Americans For Fair Taxation (AFFT)
	Kerry Bowers
A former military man with a long career in the United States Air Force, Kerry Bowers has experience not only in the armed forces but as a police dispatcher, businessman, and in many other fields. More on Kerry Bowers

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate American Progressive
	Eric Cavanagh
With a platform that generally aims to the left, Eric Cavanagh nevertheless has a number of right-leaning ideas, including a 100% porn tax. He also favors “mandatory expungement”: Six months after being convicted of a serious crime, your record is wiped clean. Even minor offenses would be forgotten after 3 months. More on Eric Cavanagh

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former Governor of New York
	George Pataki
A three-term Governor of New York State with an impressive political career besides, George Pataki is a red Republican who has found success in blue country. His fiscal policies are pleasing enough to the GOP base, but his stance on social issues may leave something to be desired. More on George Pataki

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Governor of Ohio
	John Kasich
The sitting Governor of Ohio has enjoyed stunning political success over his life, and he's hoping to ride it all the way to the White House in 2016. His incomplete rejection of Obamacare has put him on the outs with the Tea Party, but other Republicans are likely to back his strong conservative policies. More on John Kasich

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate U.S. Senator from South Carolina
	Lindsey Graham
The former Colonel with the USAF JAG unit has been one of the most recognized Republican faces in the post-2012 election era. However, his reputation as a compromise broker in Congress has taken a hit over his recent conversion into a foreign policy hawk. More on Lindsey Graham

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Entrepreneur
	Esteban Oliverez
Esteban Oliverez seeks to emulate what he considers the wiser aspects of both Republican and Democratic doctrine while discarding the nonsense, but he generally comes down on the political left. Nevertheless, many centrists may feel an attraction to his policies, which avoid straying far to either side of the spectrum. More on Esteban Oliverez

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Businessman
	Bartholomew James Lower
With a passion for the installation of a widespread solar power infrastructure and hydroponic farming, Bartholomew Lower isn't losing friends on the left. He's a Republican, however, with harsh views on illicit drug use to match, potentially winning him friends among conservatives as well. More on Bartholomew James Lower

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Woman of Faith
	Shawna Sterling
Shawna Sterling has opinions all her own, even on matters which might not generally be considered up for debate. She blames GMOs above all else for childhood obesity, and pledges to eliminate their use in school cafeteria food. Otherwise, she is generally conservative, with a strong faith and strict opposition to abortion. More on Shawna Sterling

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Businessman, television personality and author
	Donald Trump
A wealthy business tycoon and well-known American personality, Donald Trump brings a dour attitude that never fails to entertain. He has channeled his notoriety into a number of outlets, now including a 2016 presidential run. More on Donald Trump

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former Governor of Texas and 2012 presidential candidate
	Rick Perry
After his ultimately underwhelming presidential bid in 2012, Gov. Perry, the longest serving Texas governor in history, announced a 2016 presidential bid at an event hosted by his political action committee, RickPAC, on June 4, 2015. More on Rick Perry

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Governor of Wisconsin
	Scott Walker
Gov. Walker’s proposed Wisconsin Act 10 triggered a wave of controversy that forced a recall election in his second year in office. However, Gov. Walker prevailed and achieved the distinction of becoming the country’s first governor to survive a recall election. More on Scott Walker

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former Governor of Arkansas, Man of Faith and TV Personality
	Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee is an Evangelical Christian who never shies away from his faith. In January, 2015, he bid farewell as host of his popular talk show on the Fox News Channel to pursue his 2016 presidential bid. More on Mike Huckabee

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Water Treatment Operator (Retired)
	James C. Mitchell, Jr.
Jim Mitchell, Jr is a pro-life, pro-gun rights conservative from Illinois. He's got a bone to pick with crime, and his methods are as novel as they are aggressive: mandatory military service for young people to starve off gang recruitment, and free government-distributed narcotics to collapse the illegal drug trade. More on James C. Mitchell, Jr.

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Pastor
	George Bailey
George Bailey has spent much of his life preaching the gospel, but he's had a rich and successful career outside the ministry as well. He's a solid conservative pretty much across the board. Bailey is unfortunately saddled with a number of health problems, but he doesn't let them keep him down. More on George Bailey

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Businesswoman and Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard
	Carly Fiorina
The only well-known woman running for the Republican nomination in 2016, Carly Fiorina is a unique political figure. Her business experience and conservative principles make her attractive to the right, but past difficulties and failures could haunt her moving forward. More on Carly Fiorina

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Attorney and Certified Public Accountant
	Brooks Cullison
A man of faith for whom addressing the threat of radical Islam is Job One, but Brooks Cullison also worries about the abused and destitute in the US and the high volume of illegal immigrant traffic crossing the border with Mexico. Support for education is another issue on which he feels strongly. More on Brooks Cullison

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former Governor of Florida
	Jeb Bush
Florida's only Republican two-term Governor, Jeb Bush is a heavyweight political contender who comes from a family of presidents. His left-leaning ideologies make him too liberal for the taste of some in his party, however, and his lineage could be hindrance rather than help. More on Jeb Bush

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Business-owner and Veterans Advocate
	Jim Hayden
Not content to sit idly by while the nation slips further away from our founding documents, Jim Hayden has announced his candidacy for President. This self-described “constitutional conservative” is making his second run for the presidency following an unsuccessful bid in 2012. More on Jim Hayden

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Veteran and Pastor
	K. Ross Newland
It's hard to disagree with what K. Ross Newland wants to do as President – there's so darn little of it. He believes in limited government that leads by influence rather than mandate, while his strong Christian faith brings him to call for generous tithing that would allow churches to practice large-scale charity. More on K. Ross Newland

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Creative Dreamer
	Michael Bickelmeyer
An eccentric fellow who enjoys coming up with some very creative inventions, Bickelmeyer is running for the GOP nomination in 2016. He has a very dim view of terrorists and drug traffickers – in fact, he wants to deploy weapons to fry them from orbit. More on Michael Bickelmeyer

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Common-Sense Leader
	Jefferson Sherman
He'd rather talk about America's problems and their solutions than talk about himself, but he's got a lot to say. Jefferson Sherman has three “core goals” for his administration, should it come to pass, focusing on job creation, honorable foreign policy, and reduced government. More on Jefferson Sherman

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Constitutional Republican and strong conservative
	John Dummett, Jr.
Hailing from the state of California, John Dummet, Jr is a Constitutional Republican who has become disenfranchised with both the Republican and Democratic parties. More on John Dummett, Jr.

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former US Senator from Pennsylvania
	Rick Santorum
The former two-term Senator from Pennsylvania announced yet another bid to be the party’s nominee for president in 2016 on May 27, 2015. With a small but loyal base behind him, Senator Santorum will work to expand his demographic appeal over the next months. More on Rick Santorum

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Current Governor of Louisiana
	Bobby Jindal
Gov. Jindal created history in 2008 when he became the first Indian American to be elected a state Governor. At the grand old age of 24, the Rhodes Scholar was appointed by Gov. Murphy Foster to manage the Health and Human Services Dept., the largest department in the state. More on Bobby Jindal

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former Governor of Virginia
	Jim Gilmore
Jim Gilmore has ruffled conservative feathers with his abortion positions, but there is no doubting his right-wing tendencies on a number of other issues. He has also achieved the closest analogue to filling the Oval Office - governing a state – giving him the resume to back up his potential aspirations. More on Jim Gilmore

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Physician, Author and Citizen Politician
	Dr. Ben Carson
Ben Carson is a highly accomplished physician who is seen as a breath of fresh air in the world of politics. He has left his position as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Center and is in pursuit of the U.S. presidency in 2016. More on Dr. Ben Carson

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate International entrepreneur and business professor
	Dale Christensen
With experience in business management around the world, Dale Christensen is a self-described “first and foremost” family man who advocates a variety of conservative principles. More on Dale Christensen

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former combat pilot and current airline captain
	Chris Hill
Chris Hill is a combat veteran who served as a pilot during Desert Storm. Although he is running on the Republican ticket, some of his leanings are at odds with those of the GOP, including his “Living Wage” plan and his support for labor unions and recognition of gay marriages. More on Chris Hill

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Governor of New Jersey
	Chris Christie
Chris Christie tells it like it is and doesn't care whom he offends – even when he gets in trouble for being nice. More than a few people on all sides have surely used his portrait as a dartboard, but he's earned a lot of respect for his fearless tongue, and Republicans appreciate his conservative ideology. More on Chris Christie

Declared 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Army child and business owner
	Skip Andrews
“Skip” Andrews is a diverse candidate who probably has at least one opinion to please anyone. Few politicians are able to satisfy both a pro-legalization marijuana advocate and a staunch pro-lifer. Of course, this also means most would object to a majority of his platform. More on Skip Andrews

Potential Republican Party Presidential Candidates

Potential 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Former Governor of Maryland
	Bob Ehrlich
Bob Ehrlich is a Republican who generally keeps to the middle, as necessitated by his success as a politician in the mostly liberal state of Maryland. His unapologetically pro-business stance, however, promises dividends from conservatives and difficulties from most others. More on Bob Ehrlich

SOURCE:
http://2016.republican-candidates.org/

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