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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: smoothsailing; 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.


Spot on, smoothsailing. You’ve stated this reply, perfectly. Thanks.


81 posted on 01/01/2016 5:32:22 PM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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To: Fantasywriter; jaydee770
A Trump/Cruz combo would be ideal. Hear! Hear!

 photo trump-and-cruz_zpszc91tuxb.jpg

82 posted on 01/01/2016 5:40:26 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: Jane Long

Ah, come on. Isn’t it pretty obvious that Ted Cruz’s faith is a big part of his life, and Donald Trump’s faith really isn’t? I think most people would acknowledge that Ted Cruz is “a man of faith.” I don’t think that’s how most people would describe the very wealthy Donald Trump, right?


83 posted on 01/01/2016 5:48:19 PM PST by Theo (Trump = French Revolution. Cruz = American Revolution. Choose wisely.)
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To: Theo; smoothsailing; Reno89519

Ah, come on. Isn’t it pretty obvious that Ted Cruzs faith is a big part of his life, and Donald Trump’s faith really isn’t? I think most people would acknowledge that Ted Cruz is “a man of faith.” I don’t think that’s how most people would describe the very wealthy Donald Trump, right?


I take both men at their word, that they are believers.

You’ve doubled down on your hypocritical judging of another person’s faith. I have no further response to you.


84 posted on 01/01/2016 5:56:25 PM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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To: Jane Long; Theo
I take both men at their word, that they are believers.

As do I, but that's as far as it goes.

Only the Lord can truly know what is in a man's heart.

No mortal man has the knowledge, nor should he have the impudence, to make such divine judgments.

85 posted on 01/01/2016 6:11:22 PM PST by smoothsailing
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To: Farmer Dean

Beck’s the only public figure that cries more than Boner.
Beck’s got some serious problems.

So you didn’t answer my question..

Do you think Beck is mentally unstable??


86 posted on 01/01/2016 7:07:43 PM PST by tallyhoe
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To: smoothsailing

Amen, dear FRiend.


87 posted on 01/01/2016 7:26:40 PM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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To: Jane Long; smoothsailing

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.


Spot on, smoothsailing. You’ve stated this reply, perfectly. Thanks.


Thanks for proving my post on Trumpsters willing to dump Christians to get the Dem vote.
Oh and Trump to Kim Davis- marry those gays. its the law. Bake the cake for the gays its the law

Trump, “You have to go with it. I mean you have to go with it. The decision has been made, and that is the law of the land.”

Trump gets support from black pastors, phyllis schafley...that’s awesome to Trumpsters

Cruz speaks scripture to inspire his Christian supporters and Trumpsters call him a dominionist, Christian taliban.

Keep it up Trumpsters, you think you can win by alienating Christians...go ahead try it.


88 posted on 01/01/2016 7:31:08 PM PST by RginTN
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To: Reno89519

I think he speaks brilliantly. he does better in the polls against Hillary than trump, so I don’t know where unlikeable comes from,

he’s my first choice. was, is and will be.


89 posted on 01/01/2016 11:03:35 PM PST by dp0622 (i)
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To: Balding_Eagle

You find in my history an insult of Walker, I will send you a check for a hundred bucks.

never thought he was a bad man.

attacking Cruz isn’t justified because people I don’t know attacked walker.

I was polite to his supporters and told them he is still young, and fortunes change quickly.


90 posted on 01/01/2016 11:06:27 PM PST by dp0622 (i)
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To: Hugin

that’s the defense? you insult someone because someone else insulted the person you’re running for?

dems would love to see that schism become HUGE.

it needs to stop, on both sides.

the sooner the better.

we cant afford to lose. and both are good men.


91 posted on 01/01/2016 11:12:52 PM PST by dp0622 (i)
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To: SubMareener

wow. didn’t know any of those verses.

someone on here said ten minutes a day and you could read the whole bible in a year. i’m going to do that.

what an odd dream though, huh?

I have to admit, though I like Cruz first, I was very excited to see Trump in my dream, and it was nice to see the old backyard lol!!!

i’m cracking.


92 posted on 01/01/2016 11:21:11 PM PST by dp0622 (i)
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To: Fantasywriter

we should be thrilled that two VERY anti establishment guys are in first and second.

we shouldn’t be fighting.

THEY’RE not fighting. why are we?

when it comes down to both of them duking it out, I hope it stays civil, and they just point out what they would do differently.

but it is politics. BUT they do respect each other I think.

I have NEVER insulted Trump. I know him better than most, having seen his name and his buildings since teen years living in Manhattan.

never read anything sinister about him.

the ONLY person who wanted to build the Twin Towers Exactly like before.

that’s what WAY MOST of us here wanted!!!!

but they got that freak architect to design that thing and ruin our skyline.


93 posted on 01/01/2016 11:24:54 PM PST by dp0622 (i)
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To: dp0622
that's the defense? you insult someone because someone else insulted the person you're running for?

First of all, I didn't insult anyone, since it wasn't my post. I was pointing your hypocrisy in being outraged at what's a pretty mild insult compared to what a lot of the Cruz or Lose crowd says about Trump and his supporters on FR. I'm all for it stopping, but there's no need to be too thin skinned either.

94 posted on 01/01/2016 11:59:36 PM PST by Hugin ("First thing--get yourself a firearm!" Sheriff Ed Galt, Last Man Standing.)
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To: Hugin

how is it hypocrisy if I’ve never insulted Trump.

i’m not getting involved in this nonsense.

Go Cruz. Or Trump. have a good one


95 posted on 01/02/2016 12:09:04 AM PST by dp0622 (i)
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To: RginTN; Jane Long
As long as Cruz associates himself with the likes of Beck and Barton, he's asking for trouble.

I want Cruz to appeal to all Christians, not just his father's niche group. Trump needs a strong VP. By aligning himself with the dominionists, Cruz runs the risk of isolating himself. That would be a shame.

As for you, RginTN, your derogatory posts are counterproductive to a Trump/Cruz ticket which is the best conservative chance for winning back the White House.

 photo trump-and-cruz_zpszc91tuxb.jpg

96 posted on 01/02/2016 12:51:26 AM PST by smoothsailing
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To: hecticskeptic

The other side is not praying to God.


97 posted on 01/02/2016 6:24:35 AM PST by PTBAA
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To: Fantasywriter

Happy new year to you as well.

May we both have it our way in 2016...


98 posted on 01/02/2016 6:47:33 AM PST by skeeter
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To: tallyhoe

That was my answer.


99 posted on 01/02/2016 6:54:52 AM PST by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: dp0622

As far as I know, you haven’t attacked, or even been rude to any Walker supporters, or any Trump supporters.

What caught my attention was the original post of yours that, as I read it, insinuated that Trump supporters were unfairly, and in large numbers, attacking either you or others.

To the point that you were going to abandon Trump(?) over that.

My point is that history, going back to last January, indicates the Freepers who are mean spirited and doing the attacking are overwhelmingly Cruz supporters.


100 posted on 01/02/2016 10:25:06 AM PST by Balding_Eagle ( (The Great Wall of Trump ---- 100% sealing of the border. Coming soon.))
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