I still think Trump has the money and the armor to take out any of the democrats, to include Biden or Warren. He’s a new conservative, some of his positions either suck or are poorly stated, and he’s a gamble. But he can win. And he just might believe in this conservatism he says he’s adopted. The troubling thing about gambling is Scotus judges. It’s crucial that he appoint moral conservatives to the bench. He opens a real path to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan...His chance to win against the liberals on a ten point scale, 10 high. Trump gets a 7.
I think Cruz is the best conservative. He’s smart, he’s engaged, he’s actually experienced beyond his one term in the senate in both business and government, all on the legal side. He’s fairly well financed, but we wonder if he’ll get the kind of money he needs to compete with the liberal establishment. Fox has proven to me that they are liberal and he’ll get hammered there more than he gets helped. He adds zero in terms of a new electoral path to victory, and being from Texas, he doesn’t add a state that we won’t get anyway. Social conservatives WILL come out to support him and maybe Hispanics. That says he’ll look for conservative justices to appoint to Scotus. His chance to win against the liberals on a ten point scale, 10 high. Cruz gets a 6
Rubio is traditionally a conservative, but the comprehensive immigration bill needs to be weighted more than anything except Life and Guns. He sold out on amnesty. Being the son of non-US citizens, an anchor baby, it is easy to see WHY he went that way. He is, however, the most outspoken in favor of natural marriage, natural marriage, and traditional morality. He is strong on defense, but amnesty says he’s weak on homeland security. Just to be honest, Rubio is George W. Bush, a compassionate conservative. His morality says he’ll look for conservative judges. I can support him if I have to. Electorally, he guarantees that Florida is red, but that is still the traditional republican electoral path to victory. We know how GW Bush made us hold our breath, well, the same with Rubio. He does bring in Hispanics. His chance to win against the liberals on a ten point scale, 10 high. Rubio gets a 7
To get the pure conservative we give up a bit in the area of electability, in my opinion. That leaves us with a gamble or another ‘compassionate conservative’.
Cruz is a decent conservative, but I think he's got some problems. He's actually weak on immigration, really changing recently (his supporters won't admit that). His TPP and Corker bill charade was the farthest thing from conservatism. His unwillingness to confront the Clinton sex sleaze also shown a lack of principle.
My preferences still are with Trump, because of his main issues (immigration, economy, military, ending muzzie invasion), his executive experience and strength, and his ability to beat the media.
I like Cruz second, just not sure he's got the strength, and I'd have to drink a quart of whiskey to vote for Rubio (okay, okay, I needed two last time......).