Hey Rita,
I don’t know what’s going on, but after listening to the audio (link below), my view remains the same as it has been.
It helps Cruz to have Trump in the race for now, because Trump sits on the opposition. Cruz has money to burn, so he can sit back and wait. Essentially, Cruz is saying to the others- Donald is going to beat you in NH and Iowa. If you do nothing, you’re out after NH. On the other hand, if you expend your resources now and go after Trump, you might win Iowa or NH— however, if you don’t win, you’re broke. You’re choice!
I don’t know if I’ve made sense- but my position is, Cruz is helping the other guys if he goes after Trump- and so he’s not going to do it. Better to ultimately be one on one with Trump, than to knock Trump out, and have 5 other opponents pop up. I think he’d prefer to narrow the field going into SC and the southern states, and then confront Trump.
So, no, I don’t think his remarks were intended to hurt Trump. If you listen to the audio, seems his standard praise for Trump’s involvement, save for the remark, that ultimately, Cruz thinks he’ll win.
As for the NYTimes piece, that’s all Donald. He opened that door— and now the media will go full out on making the case that he’s ambivalent.
Bottom line, Rita— I don’t think Cruz intended, or wants to, hurt Donald— but mainly because, it doesn’t help Cruz, right now. If it were to happen in Dec or Jan, then I would think it was intentional .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI-DjxsuHdI
Brilliant analysis. Thanks very much. Yes, I don’t know where the Cruz remark comes in, the way it was put, and rather hard to believe it was innocuous, but who knows. A drip in the ocean.
When you have time, and only if you are so inclined, I would like a paragraph on the usual course of the campaign calendar, but only for between now and February 1st, (the month of first votes cast). Your opinion on the horse race, the drop out rate, the final four and when they emerge? Think about it.
I think Trump and Cruz are the only two right now who are each visibly turning their respective corners. There is another gear it seems to me. I want analysis! LOL!!