Posted on 04/09/2016 8:30:19 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In Colorado and South Carolina, the GOP's embattled front-runner had another very bad day.
Donald Trump’s struggle to win loyal delegates to the Republican National Convention grew even more desperate on Saturday, with crushing losses in Colorado and South Carolina that put victory at a contested convention further from his grasp.
Trump, who handed the reins of much of his campaign this week to strategist Paul Manafort in an effort to shore up his operation before the nomination slips away, was swept out of delegate slots up for grabs at Colorado’s state convention. Adding to his woes, he picked up just one delegate of six on the ballot in South Carolina. The most painful result, though, may have been Trump’s failure to capture two of three slots in his strongest South Carolina congressional district.
In fact, Trump lost five of the six delegate seats on the ballot in South Carolina’s 3rd and 7th congressional districts. Ted Cruz nabbed a delegate in the 7th district, while another, Alan Clemmons, remained uncommitted despite Trump’s dominant finish there in the state’s Feb. 20 primary. (The Manhattan billionaire won 43 percent of the district’s vote, to Cruz’s 20 percent and Kasich’s 6 percent.) Cruz also won two of three delegates in the 3rd district, while a third — Susan Aiken, a supporter of Marco Rubio — will go to the convention as an uncommitted delegate.
At the same time, Trump so far has been swept in Colorado, which unlike most states chooses its delegates indirectly, through a series of caucuses. Cruz, who has had a team working the state for months, received a thunderous ovation in Colorado Springs at Saturday afternoon’s chaotic GOP assembly as he announced his preliminary delegate haul while Trump’s bare-bones operation struggled to get organized.
After firing the organizer initially put in charge of Colorado last week, Trump’s team hired Patrick Davis, a GOP operative from Colorado Springs, to put together a slate in an effort to win some of the delegate slots to be elected by just fewer than 4,000 party activists at Saturday’s assembly. Heading in, Cruz had already swept the seven assemblies held in the state’s congressional districts, each of which elect three delegates, giving him 21 of Colorado’s 34 elected delegates – a majority – before ballots hit the floor at the state convention.
"We have beaten Donald Trump," Cruz told supporters packed into the World Arena.
Trump’s last-minute organizing effort did not go well. The leaflet his campaign handed out listed a slate of 26 delegates. But in many cases the numbers indicating their ballot position — more than 600 delegates are running for 13 slots — were off, meaning that Trump’s team was mistakenly directing votes toward other candidates’ delegates.
When the balloting results were announced Saturday evening, Cruz picked up the 13 statewide at-large delegates chosen during Saturday’s convention, with the final three appointed automatically by the Colorado Republican Party, giving him all 34 of Colorado's elected delegates (Trump did win six of the 34 alternate spots).
“Cruz had the crowd eating out of his hand when he spoke,” said Kelly Maher, a GOP operative based in Denver.
It’s an extension of a losing streak for Trump that threatens the mogul’s odds of winning the Republican nomination at what is increasingly likely to be a contested convention in July. Trump is close to falling short of enough support in the state-level primaries and caucuses to clinch the nomination outright, meaning his fate would be determined by delegates in Cleveland.
Yet Trump’s thinly staffed operations, even in the states he carried easily in February and March primaries, have left little organization behind to support delegate candidates. In addition to the congressional-district routs in South Carolina and Colorado, he’s been dealt setbacks in Indiana, North Dakota, Tennessee, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Georgia. Massachusetts is also shaping up as a delegate battleground, despite Trump’s dominance of the popular vote there.
Trump has primarily lost delegate races to Cruz, whose superior organization, months of preparatory work and resonance among the GOP’s activist base has helped him consolidate support in the insider-oriented battle for delegates. Trump has begun mobilizing for a delegate push in recent days, empowering Manafort, a veteran of past convention battles, to lead his effort, but the 67-year-old lobbyist and political consultant is still playing catch-up.
Trump dominated South Carolina’s Feb. 20 primary in a much more crowded field, earning the obligatory support of all 50 of the state’s convention delegates on the first ballot at the national convention, set to be held in Cleveland. But if Trump falls short of clinching the nomination on a first vote, these delegates will become “unbound” on a second ballot, free to support the candidate of their choice.
Trump’s lone South Carolina delegate on the day, Jerry Rovner of Pawleys Island, said he’d stick with Trump so long as it looked like he had a shot to win the convention on subsequent ballots. But he said he’s open to backing Cruz as well, though he won’t consider any other candidate, even new entrants into the contest at the convention.
“The people that put the work in, that’s who I’m gonna support. I’m going to start with Donald Trump and I’ll stay with him,” he said.
Gerri McDaniel, who won an alternate slot for Trump in the 7th District, said she was frustrated to finish just outside the top three in voting and noted that she had been sick, preventing her from actively campaigning in the delegate fight.
“If I had not have been sick — this is my fourth day out of the house — probably the results would have been quite different," she said.
Trump was always poised to struggle to win delegates in South Carolina because the process favors party insiders who typically have rejected his brash, establishment-bashing style.
Early indications in North Carolina and Iowa suggested Trump had been routed in the hunt for another 30-plus delegates there. Cruz won the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1, but Trump bested Cruz in North Carolina on March 15. Still, Trump's efforts were essentially futile in both states.
Trump's lone bright spot of the weekend came in Michigan, where Republicans were also selecting delegates on Saturday. With a little help from John Kasich's campaign, Trump's team gave Cruz a dose of his own medicine, leaving the Texas senator shut out of the eight convention committee slots.
Kasich's delegates, whose votes Cruz was counting on, ended up voting for Trump behind closed doors after Cruz attempted to win all eight committee slots. Saul Anuzis, Cruz's Michigan campaign chairman, called it a "double-cross," even going as far as to tweet that the Ohio governor is "now openly auditioning for Donald Trump's Vice President slot."
Of the 59 delegates selected Friday and Saturday in Michigan, 25 spots went to Trump, while Cruz and Kasich each took 17 apiece. But the highly coveted committee assignments, especially on the RNC Rules Committee that could revamp procedures for the nomination battle, are of heightened importance with the increasing likelihood of a contested convention. If Kasich doesn't have any supporters on that committee, his rivals' backers could draft new rules that make it harder for Kasich to compete.
Every state gets two slots on the committee. Kasich backer Judi Schwalbach won the rules slot, and Trump supporter Matt Hall won the other, a rare double defeat for Cruz.
Cruz was also boxed out by Trump and Kasich supporters from any of the other convention committees. Kasich delegate Chuck Yob won a slot on the Convention Credentials Committee, which will rule on challenges to delegates’ eligibility to be seated in Cleveland. And Kasich delegate Yavonne Whitbeck won a spot on the Permanent Organization Committee, which — among other tasks — will elect a chairman to preside over the convention.
On Friday evening, as the scope of Cruz’s victory in Colorado was coming into view, Trump seemed to recognize his plight.
“Isn’t it a shame that the person who will have by far the most delegates and many millions more votes than anyone else, me, still must fight,” he tweeted.
Wow...don’t really know what to say since this post is over the top.
Let’s do facts. The rules change when the delegates to the convention say they change. Not one week prior. Not until all delegates vote on them. So the rules in effect now are the same rules ALL candidates must abide by.
No delegates bound to Mr. Trump will vote for Mr. Cruz on the first ballot. That is the law (or rules).
And by the way I’m not worth $1 billion either...though I’m trying...and also I have never seen Nathan being rude just direct. I can show you rude on this forum if you desire...
Where did you cut and paste that from?
He’s worn out after being stolen from my yard today and his follow up visit to the Vet to have his stomach pumped. I was afraid the thieves poisoned him, but they had only fed him a ham sandwich and a Hostess creme filled CHOCOLATE cupcake! Praise God, I got him back.
Because Cruz can't win the general, and the Democrats know it.
That's why a bunch of Democrats crossed over in Wisconsin to keep Cruz in the race.
See, if Trump was the "loser" that he is portrayed as, the Democrats would have crossed over to vote for Trump in Wisconsin, which would have gotten rid of the "troublesome" Cruz, once and for all.
You have to remember that the Democrats OWN most of Wisconsin.
The Democrats kept Ted in - because he's not really so "troublesome".
While I support Mr. Cruz I will vote for Mr. Trump if he wins the nomination. Will you do the same?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3415416/posts?page=189#189
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3413960/posts?page=42#42
The thing is, I can't vouch for the new voters who are excited by Trump. Who knows WHAT effect the games that Cruz and the GOPe are playing will have on them?
As it is, the stench is beginning to make my eyes water.
Will it end up being able to chase a dog off a gut-wagon?
LOL...we know exactly what Bless your heart means.
Sounds like the overly concerned have their knickers in a knot. ;-)
I am so glad to hear he will be okay. Thank you God that you got him back and then to the vet.
Poor baby Louie. That’s terrible. Gee....chocolate...to a dog? Unreal.
What a day and what an ordeal.
So glad he’s home and safe and I’ll keep saying prayers for both of you.
Effective? No. But Hillary appreciates your support.
Thanks very much.
The RNC “rules” subvert VOTERS.
End of conversation.
Romney’s RULE was installed to lock out Ron Paul.
~smile~
How much “serious money” do I have on Cruz?
You tell us...you’re the bundler. Remember when another one of your taglines gave a direct link to your cRuising’ for cRuz fundraising site?
My candidate doesn’t know Hillary Clinton, yours has been friends with her for decades and has contributed to her campaigns and foundations. Tell me again about support for Hillary.
Thank you so much!
Very tiring and very emotional day!
Thankfully, I had him neutered or I think he would still be missing.
Agree. And, thankfully they returned him to you.
Just breaks my heart what you’ve (BOTH) had to go through today.
... BUT if Donald doesn't do that same exact nasty thing, because he thinks it's outside the scope of HIS PECULIAR ethics, decency or morals and OURS TOO (for that matter)... then TRUMP IS STILL JUST A BAD GUY.
His ability to pilfer, blur and manipulate without breaking the letter of the rules, while crucifying the intent and spirit thereof, while thwarting the will of the voters through subterfuge... cannot be disputed--nobody does it better... but it must never be deemed righteous, honorable or ethical.
Nathan Bedford was an great and honorable man... and I think he himself might very likely disagree with your position on these matters. Of course you are entitled to your own standards and opinions. I know that.
But when Ted is disqualified or drops out, please consider joining us in making this nation great again.
Were you mad at somebody in 2010 because they had a British subject for a father?
Thanks very much, sweetest you.
It was a very tiring and a very emotional day!
I had the Police over here and they were out looking for him.
Most of the officers on this beat, know him on sight.
Frankly, I really don't care if one of the Carolina states delegate roster is stacked full of soccer moms who volunteer at the anti-cruelty society and donate blood three times a month...
....I know it is a strange concept but I care that the delegates, WHOEVER THEY ARE, vote the will of the people...and it sounds like Cruz has “wrangled” (to use your term) the delegates to abandon the will of the voters in any subsequent votes or maybe first vote...who knows because the GOPe is changing the rules as well speak....
Oh and before you start typing, I realize that it all may be legal—but so is insider trading by congresscritters... Does not make it right.
Sorry, I don't support the subterfuge of the citizens votes.
Bilgewater.
The Democrats had a chance to put this thing away by crossing over in Wisconsin to vote for Trump, the loserboy who will implode in the general.
Instead, those Democrats crossed over to put Ted Cruz over the top, and keep him in the race.
Could it be that those Democrats have determined that Trump is the REAL threat, and they need a patsy like Cruz to play the spoiler?
So, the Uniparty chose a WI Unipatsy - Ted Cruz...
Yes, 2DV's documented historical hypocrisy on his interpretation of the NBC issue is rather perplexing.
I've been asking him to give us the doubtless rousing tale of his conversion from holding the NBC views above, to now supporting Ted Cruz for President, a man who was born in Canada to a set of parents, only one of whom was an American citizen at the time.
Now let me be clear that I believe Ted Cruz to be an NBC. But he certainly couldn't be, according to the definition endorsed by 2DV back when he was more concerned with 0bama's eligibility.
2DV seems to have undergone quite an evolution in his thinking, but I guess seeking an explanation from him is a bit too much to ask.
Something doesn't add up...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.