Posted on 10/27/2015 6:30:40 AM PDT by Bratch
“PROSELYTIZE”: using faith to recruit someone to join one’s party, institution, or cause…
There is a strategy, albeit a rather divisive strategy, which can be deployed politically by those intentionally selecting a very specific gathering of supporters.
In a highly fractured presidential bid, this proselytizing strategy may even garner enough of a base to mount a bid amid a larger field of candidates. However, it is exceptionally narrow -hence works only amid large numbers of possible options- and can ultimately only gain the advocate a small percentage of the overall audience.
The strategy can NEVER win a general election.
Current evidence reflects this approach is the preferred direction of Team Ted Cruz and the presidential campaign therein.
When such a strategy is deployed amid the reality of an increasingly toxic and divisive anti-religious populist leftism – the approach is strengthened. Indeed, the narrow appeal, when contrast against examples of football coaches unable to bow their heads in prayer, actually broadens the base of sympathy from an objective audience.
There is a market for the approach; religion can be quite an effective business model as evidenced by the scope of many evangelical organizations.
However, in the larger political deployment the polarization becomes self-defeating and presents with risks that should be consequentially avoided.
The alignment of Ted Cruz with Glenn Beck and David Barton speaks to both a profitable business branding/marketing approach, and simultaneously affords candidate Cruz an almost captive audience.
The intersection of religion as a business (2015 Beck Media) and presidential politics (2015 Cruz campaign) is a road that narrows with each mile traveled. It would serve all non-Cruz candidates, and specifically Donald Trump, to avoid the pitfalls within it.
Ceding ground to an opponent willing to stake their campaign almost exclusively on religious based affiliations is not only prudent, it is wise.
Candidate Cruz has isolated himself from effectiveness within the very institution he holds membership, the Senate. In essence, for the sake of a nail -which may or may not be- based upon purity, he has diminished his influence. Senator Cruz, by approach, is now relegated to the echo-chamber of his own inconsequential staff. Unfortunately, his constituents are now the victims of the decision-making; and if history serves any predictive sense, he will be challenged and defeated based on an ineffectual record.
Thus we fully understand both the praise and admonition from former Harvard Law Professor Alan Derschowitz who cast Cruz as a brilliant mind, but warned of an inability to accept, or move toward, counter positions. Put another, more familiar, way: “at what cost do you desire to be right”?
There is no doubt that 5 to 8% of the “conservative” electorate will support a Cruz campaign. It is also entirely possible for that figure to grow to around 15% when you add those willing to provide a faith-based opportunity.
However, beyond that element – you hit a dead end where the crowd evaporates, and expenditures to garner additional support are weighed amid the law of diminishing returns.
Beck has carved out a business model, a media-market, where an audience is willing to accept a soccer ball and teddy bear campaign almost entirely on faith alone. Ask anyone who participated in the 08/28/10 “Restoring Honor” DC event what was the goal while they were there; you’ll find few with a direct answer, and even fewer still who consider Beck to hold any value or benefit.
Candidate Cruz is following a business model, which can provide affluence, but cannot provide presidential influence – there is absolutely no winning presidential road map there; nor is there a reason to chase it.
Stick with what works 100% of the time….
Correction. TED CRUZ is shoring up the base.
This is right on about Cruz. He’s running a church rather than a campaign.
Trump has a much broader cross-section of support. If you’re in a different faith than Cruz, his demeanor just rubs you the wrong way.
So to win elections... when you are right you should change your position to be wrong, so you can lead the others who are also wrong but don't know it or don't want to be right, by getting behind them proclaiming that which is known to be wrong and leading them with a position that is wrong. That way nobody does what's right, but the former right won an election by becoming the new wrong!
As opposed to Trump, who rubs you the wrong way no matter what faith you are!
TED CRUZ is the only candidate with a firm grip on the U.S. Constitution. He agrees with the philosophy of the Founding Fathers.
Could it be the reason CRUZ rubs people wrong is because they themselves have strayed from the truth?
Yes, I think you have it....rofl
Ted Cruz voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act. No "constitutionalist" would do that.
Or Scotsman.
Truth? Now that’s a very seldom used word in these campaigns.
John 8:32 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
[Thus we fully understand both the praise and admonition from former Harvard Law Professor Alan Derschowitz]
Who’s preaching to the congregation?
During the 2008 Democratic Party primaries, Dershowitz endorsed Hillary Clinton, calling her “a progressive on social issues, a realist on foreign policy, a pragmatist on the economy.” In 2012, he strongly supported Barack Obama’s re-election, writing, “President Obama has earned my vote on the basis of his excellent judicial appointments, his consensus-building foreign policy and the improvements he has brought about in the disastrous economy he inherited.”
If you’re in a different faith than Cruz, his demeanor just rubs you the wrong way.
Personally, I like Cruz’s method. Let us be reminded that NO political solution will save America. Our sins have gone beyond that possibility. We need both a return to morality and a political solution. Cruz is the best candidate for that over all. He is a committed Christian and his fierce will to stand against the establishment are two great features. I don’t see him forcing anything on the country religiously, but reaching out to the millions who stayed home because Romney was not only a Mormon, but an establishment candidate and refused to vote for him as such. I see Cruz getting these voters back. He is picking up some votes among democrats, as well. Like reagan did. Some are seeing him as the real deal, as they did Reagan. So, pray that he succeeds instead of all the naysaying.
Show me one poll that has Cruz beating Clinton.
There literally hasn’t been a single poll that says that.
Even Rubio polls higher than Her Thighness. And I’d never support that jerk.
For Catholics and casual Christians (i.e. the majority of America), Cruz comes off as a huckster not too different from his pal Glenn Beck.
Well played!
Well this article is only partially correct. We need people like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul in our society because they help bring balance.
That being said running for President means you are running to be the leader of all Americans not just the conservative evangelicals. Trump has a wide appeal to many groups. He also has a very public record of success, has enormous name recognition and say what you will has highly developed leadership skills. Its a winning combination in a time when people are starving for a leader who will stand up and fight for the issues they are concerned about.
I don’t think sundance said Cruz needs to go away or anything.
I think he just needs to spend a bit more time maturing and also disassociating himself from sleazeballs like Glenn Beck.
Yes I agree. I truly do like Ted Cruz but I don’t think he can win the general election. I think the only candidate we have that can do that is Trump.
Everybody can’t be President but there are other very important and powerful positions like Attorney General. Ted Cruz has no future in the US Senate. It is run by the GOPe and that’s not going to change anytime soon. They despise Ted Cruz. He will not be influential there. But he would be a kickass Attorney General and God knows we have so much corruption to root out. I just hope that if Trump wins he takes Ted along for the ride.
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