Jonah Goldberg writes:
“According to polls, Trump draws heavily from more secular Republicans who are more likely to describe themselves as “liberal†or “moderate†than “conservative†or “very conservative.†Ted Cruz draws more exclusively from the traditional base. And I would argue that his “very conservative†followers aren’t supporting Trump because he’s a conservative but because he’s a walking, talking thumb in the eyes of “elites†in the media and both parties.
The claim that Trump is a committed conservative is not very believable. Until recently, he was for higher taxes on the wealthy, taking in Syrian refugees, and single-payer health care. He almost never talks about the Constitution, faith, or liberty unless forced to. In 2012, Trump condemned Mitt Romney for being too harsh on illegal immigration. In May of this year, he attacked “publicity seekers†who needlessly provoked Muslims. With the exception of a few single-issue voters on immigration, Trump fans love him for his enemies and for his populist bombast, not for any specific principles. In other words, he divides the GOP more up-down than he does left-right. Trump defenders can rightly point to the fact that he draws support from a wide swath of voters. Critics can rightly point out that he draws animosity from an even wider swath of voters. But neither should go around talking about how Trump represents the conservative base.”
Well, we were screwed by the “conservatives” that we elected, so let’s try something different.
If Trump just appealed to the conservative base he wouldn’t be feared.
He and Cruz would cancel each other out and the establishment candidate could prance to victory.
It’ his appeal to both moderates and conservatives that has made his campaign.
Got to love that red faced, red haired Goldberg.
He tells us Trump isn’t a conservative.
But fails to tell us who he thinks is that great conservative.
After 100 years of Progressives taking this country on the road to perdition, there is very little left to CONSERVE! Donald Trump has articulated the need for ACTION to Make America Great Again. Every action he has proposed will move us back to the conditions that are worthy of being CONSERVED! The problem with establishment conservatives such as Jonah is that they make their living PROMISING to DO SOMETHING about the sorry state of the country. However, the sad fact is that they have only slowed things down, not even stopped or reversed them. Only Donald Trump and Ted Cruz really understand the situation and the solution. Only Donald Trump is equipped to actually execute a recovery plan. Ted Cruz would be a excellent candidate to carry on the recovery after eight years of Trump. That is why I support a Trump/Cruz ticket.
As usual Jonah applies his selective filter of Trump. The Trump derangement syndrome is strong in him. Trump is doing yeoman’s work in deconstructing the media and has did more to nuke the media in his short run for the White House than conservative naval gazers like Goldberg who made his name on the back of his Momma and a blue dress scandal.
I really have no idea what in the hell is wrong with these guys. We know who Trump is and for every specific example of him being a “liberal” there are countless counter examples where he is not. If people had no problem with Romney governing from the center left while he was governor then why would they have trouble with a business man like Trump who tried to appease those in government in order to keep them off his back in business? Also if Romney can “evolve” after having attended fundraisers with planned parenthood why can’t Trump change his positions?
That is the real problem I have with the type of attacks from Goldberg and Glenn Beck and others. They have failed us as much as the Washington DC establishment. They have been content to write books and make millions off conservatives while just letting the left win on issues like gay marriage, like immigration, like stupid “religion of peace” bs. I even like a lot of what both of these guys have done for the movement but they seem not the least interested in all out war on the political class.
They instead seem interested in appeasement as if they’d rather lose than vote for a straight talking successful candidate from Queens York who speaks extemporaneously. They act as though being “Presidential” is to be phony and attached to a teleprompter with a legion of speech writers and consultants to tell you what to think. I’m sorry but it is exactly that failed approach that has gotten us so deep into the mire of debt, inaction, and failed social and foreign policy.
The real reason they seem angry is because their game of pretend is being interrupted ironically by a premier showman in Trump who says what he happens to think at a given time. Its like those guys who have their wives so fearful that they might see her as she is that she won’t go to bed without makeup on. These idiots actually think they have the right to presume that “Its not who we are” to secure our borders and keep Islamic radicals out. The reality is we live in an America where no amount of pomp and circumstance and makeup will hide the ugliness and failure of our government and Trump even with his flaws is doing a beautiful job of ripping what’s left of the façade covering that nasty reality to shreds.
I think this is precisely right - Which is why the 'Trump/Cruz 2016' isn't going to work, not any better than McCain/Palin did.
If Cruz exits, I don't think Trump will inherit his voters... 'Trump/Cruz' will lose for that exact reason. However, if Trump exits, I think Cruz would inherit the lion's share - And for the first time since Reagan, there would actually be a Conservative in the White House.
Trump is a stalking horse to take the air away from Conservatives - It's what happens every time. If you want to find the Conservative, look at who the media ignores. Too bad so many are so blinded by them... But that's what propaganda does.
Wrong as usual. I get so tired of this crap.
But non-Evangelical conservatives have often been more willing to support a less conservative candidate, rather than the choice of religious conservatives.
Even Jonah's done that sometimes. Evangelicals and other religious conservatives may return the favor.
Any candidate too closely associated with one kind of conservatism (religious, economic, national security) loses some conservative votes to a more moderate candidate who's less tied to one particular faction.
If you're a Cruz fan, you may think that Cruz is conservative in all ways and therefore should be the favorite of all conservatives. But not all conservatives feel that way (which is why some of them aren't voting for Cruz).
Regional concerns also play a role. Trump has a nation-wide appeal (at least among Republicans). Other candidates are less popular outside their own regions.