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Cruz Doubles Down - Proselytizing As An Electoral Strategy
The Conservative Treehouse ^ | 12-31-2015 | sundance

Posted on 01/01/2016 12:51:29 PM PST by smoothsailing

December 31, 2015

Cruz Doubles Down - Proselytizing As An Electoral Strategy

by sundance

TODAY – Sen. Ted Cruz Tells Volunteers: We Can Win 'If We Awaken And Energize The Body Of Christ' (link)

“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.

cruz and beck

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.

beck and cruzThere 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 his chosen approach, is now relegated to the echo-chamber of his own inconsequential staff.

Unfortunately, Cruz’s constituents are now the victims of this decision-making; and if history serves any predictive sense, he will be challenged and defeated based on an ineffectual record. How can candidate Ted Cruz attack Marco Rubio on his ability to be effective, when Cruz’s approach to legislation has made him the most ineffective Senator in DC.

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. We are not selecting a Preacher-in-Chief, we are nominating a candidate for the Executive Office.

Glenn Beck has carved out a business model, a media-market, where an audience is willing to accept a soccer ball and teddy bear, illegal alien compassion tour/campaign almost entirely on faith alone. The religious community is very generous and provides Glenn Beck, Ted Cruz and Benny Hinn with great wealth, affluence.

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….

…. broaden the base!

trump rally michigan

This Donald Trump rally -pictured above- was in Michigan a week ago with approximately 6,000+ supporters. The MSM would like to advance a narrative that women, or minorities, or ( ___ fill in the blank ___) don’t support Trump. However, if you want a good idea of how broad candidate Trump’s base of support is….

…..Look at the Picture Gallery HERE

trump rally michigan 2

trump landslide 2



TOPICS: Politics; Religion
KEYWORDS: 2016election; cnsrvtvtreehouse; election2016; glennbeck; newyork; sundance; tedcruz; texas; trump
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To: mrsmith

If he’s on video talking about the Lord’s armor or anything remotely similar, it’s over


61 posted on 01/01/2016 3:20:19 PM PST by Jim Noble (Diseases desperate grown Are by desperate appliance relieved Or not at al)
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To: mrsmith

I think Cruz could help himself by getting away from Beck


62 posted on 01/01/2016 3:21:23 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: C. Edmund Wright

You got it!


63 posted on 01/01/2016 3:23:09 PM PST by gov_bean_ counter (Trump to McCain - "Pass the strawberries".)
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To: Jim Noble

Yeah it’s late in the campaign to be doing that. But maybe not too late.


64 posted on 01/01/2016 3:29:06 PM PST by mrsmith (Dumb sluts: Lifeblood of the Media, Backbone of the Democrat/RINO Party!)
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To: smoothsailing

What a millstone Beck has proven to be for conservatism.
We’ve got to choose our friends more carefully.


65 posted on 01/01/2016 3:31:16 PM PST by mrsmith (Dumb sluts: Lifeblood of the Media, Backbone of the Democrat/RINO Party!)
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To: Jim Noble

Why would it be over?


66 posted on 01/01/2016 3:36:59 PM PST by gov_bean_ counter (Trump to McCain - "Pass the strawberries".)
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To: mrsmith

We’re known by the company we keep, and that could be a problem for Ted.

I hope not, but he’s sticking his neck out with Beck and Barton, IMHO.


67 posted on 01/01/2016 3:39:25 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: Theo

If I went to a political rally and the candidate said that anyone who was a Christian should support him because he was going to be attacked by Satan, I would get up and leave because it was too late.


68 posted on 01/01/2016 3:40:23 PM PST by Lagmeister ( false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders Mark 13:22)
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To: smoothsailing

Trumpsters to Christians bake that gay cake for the gays and we don’t want your vote Christian taliban!


Identify a Ttrumpster who’s said such a thing. You can’t, you just like to make crap up. What childish nonsense.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3378523/posts

Preacher or presidential candidate? This is offensive and marginalizes Cruz. He may keep a core cadre of supporters but no one beyond this. The Republican party does not need Christian Taliban within its midst. Even Huckabee didn’t wrap himself in his religion.

31 posted on 12/31/2015, 4:43:24 PM by Reno89519 (American Lives Matter! US Citizen, Veteran, Conservative, Republican. I vote. Trump 2016.)


69 posted on 01/01/2016 3:46:49 PM PST by RginTN
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To: Jane Long

Trumpsters to Christians bake that gay cake for the gays...


Got a link to a Trump supporter saying that?

FYI....Trump supporters are as Christian as your candidate’s supporters. So, there’s that.


See my post 69.
Trumpster using the phrase Christian taliban. A phrase used by the homonazis to attack Christians.

This thread too is attacking Christians.

whats funny is Trumpsters hyped Phyllis Schafley’s Trump endorsement they hyped the black pastors Trump endorsement. There was no threads like this by Cruz supporters saying Trump would alienate Dems or using the phrase Christian taliban to attack those endorsements


70 posted on 01/01/2016 4:01:08 PM PST by RginTN
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To: Fantasywriter

“...There is an overactive cabal of them that is simply rabid...”

Here on F.R.? There is an overactive *immature* cabal on both the Trump & Cruz sides who don’t seem to understand the damage they are doing to each other and their candidate. They certainly do not represent them in a good light.

If Trump and Cruz would team up — in either order — they would be absolutely unstoppable. I think they both need each other. They both bring *very* valuable skills to the table that the other does not have.

What do these more rabid supporters do if both candidates are on the *general* election ticket as pres/vice-pres? If they then support that general election pairing after having spewed pure venom at one of the candidates during the primary, are we allowed to then righteously call them hypocrites?

I would not be surprised if this very plain, obvious observation earns me personal insults from one or both sides. It’s become just that ridiculous.


71 posted on 01/01/2016 4:12:31 PM PST by jaydee770
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To: jaydee770

A Trump/Cruz combo would be ideal. If for some reason Trump dropped out, etc., and Cruz won the primary, would I vote for him against Hillary or Sanders?

Am I stupid? Insane?

Of COURSE I would vote for Cruz. DUH.

Yet I have seen Cruz supporters say Trump would be as bad or worse than Hillary, and they would never vote for him.

The kindest explanation is mental illness.


72 posted on 01/01/2016 4:19:45 PM PST by Fantasywriter (Any attempt to do forensic work using Internet artifacts is fraught with pitfalls. JoeProbono)
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To: Fantasywriter

“...Yet I have seen Cruz supporters say Trump would be as bad or worse than Hillary, and they would never vote for him. The kindest explanation is mental illness...”

Oh yes - I’ve seen that sentiment both ways, usually in some overblown thread argument where they’ve turned completely emotional and lost any logic they may have once had. And you are being *very* kind.


73 posted on 01/01/2016 4:27:14 PM PST by jaydee770
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To: jaydee770

‘I’ve seen that sentiment both ways, usually in some overblown thread argument where they’ve turned completely emotional and lost any logic they may have once had.’

Very valid point. Such vows do tend to be sworn in the heat of anger. Not always, but mostly.


74 posted on 01/01/2016 4:30:53 PM PST by Fantasywriter (Any attempt to do forensic work using Internet artifacts is fraught with pitfalls. JoeProbono)
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To: smoothsailing

I am sorry I did not make it clear that I was talking to the author, not to you. I was commenting on the post. Sometimes I forget it can sound like I am saying to the article poster and not the article author.


75 posted on 01/01/2016 4:47:14 PM PST by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: Jane Long

Reno89519 mocked Ted Cruz as a “preacher wanna be.” He was mocking Ted Cruz for being a man of faith.

Trump’s faith, or lack thereof, is irrelevant.


76 posted on 01/01/2016 5:09:28 PM PST by Theo (Trump = French Revolution. Cruz = American Revolution. Choose wisely.)
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To: RginTN

Thanks for proving you made up the part about Trumpsters wanting Christians to bake cakes for gays and not vote for Trump.

Like I said, no Trumpster said such a thing, or wants such a thing. Trump supporters want to broaden the base, not shrink it.

Cruz playing footsie with the dominionists is a dangerous diversion for a candidate who desperately needs to broaden his base, not scare it away.


77 posted on 01/01/2016 5:09:35 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past

Thanks for the reply, I’m glad you set me straight!

Cheers and Happy New Year! 8^)


78 posted on 01/01/2016 5:15:07 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: dp0622

It is not a question of him being good or not. Is there broad support for an unlike able preachy person who talks and acts like a political and lawyer? Another first term senator, at that. No!


79 posted on 01/01/2016 5:27:38 PM PST by Reno89519 (American Lives Matter! US Citizen, Veteran, Conservative, Republican. I vote. Trump 2016.)
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To: Theo

You’re the one who insinuated about Trump’s faith, in your reply post (to Reno).


80 posted on 01/01/2016 5:28:53 PM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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