You’re right. You are confused. Cruz was a National Debate Champion two years in a row and has a debate event named for him at Princeton.
So why is he middle of the pack at best in these debates?
You’re right. You are confused. Cruz was a National Debate Champion two years in a row and has a debate event named for him at Princeton.
So why is he middle of the pack at best in these debates?
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Well, these are far from academic debates. These are made-for-TV events.
Because these debates are not, in fact, debates - they are dog-and-pony shows where candidates try to look "likable" and "relatable" to the American public.
Cruz isn't great at that, however gifted he might be in an actual academic-style debate.
His reputation as a skilled verbal combatant is valid and is the reason limiting his time to speak during the “debates” has been no. 2 priority, superseded only by sinking the USS Trump, of the organizers. It’s difficult to make an impression when they studiously avoid giving you an opportunity to speak. That’s why his buying ad time during the event was not only wise but necessary.
...Because he recognizes these past two “debates” for what they are... sideshows. These aren’t debates, there’s very little in the way of substantive policy being discussed. Having 10-11 people vie for attention on CNN’s Freakshow is not going to win you an election.
But when the field gets winnowed down to four or five, and you’re still standing, there will be plenty of time to show off your debating skills.
He’s got plenty of money...
His ground operation is expanding in battleground states...
He’s actually playing this game like Barry...
Because the MSM and GOPe is trying to ignore him hoping he will go away. If you look at the time he had in the debates he was treated like a guy polling at the #11 spot rather than 3-5 depending on the poll.
He has the money to play the long game many others do not. In January will people care who “won” the debate last night.
Have you listened to the answers he has given in the debates compared to the rambling and memorized talking points of others?
Because they aren't debates. They're dog-and-pony shows.
The non-liberals among the American voting public already know what they want: they want someone who is as intelligent as Cruz and as bad@$$ as Trump. They can't have both, so bad@$$ trumps (pun intended) intelligence, and they hope President Trump listens to the advice of VP Cruz, the way Kirk used to listen to Spock.
They watched the 'debate' and hoped that Trump didn't lose his bad@$$, since they can reasonably assume that Cruz isn't going to lose his intelligence. Trump didn't lose his bad@$$, which is why he 'won' the 'debate' among the people who were watching.
“Cruz was a National Debate Champion two years in a row...”
“So why is he middle of the pack at best in these debates?”
Cruz is playing the long game - and right now the aim is to just stay in the game while others around him eventually make mistakes or otherwise fall out. Too many players, let things settle down to a more reasonable number. He is a tactician - probably smarter in terms of pure intellect than anyone on the stage. Trump is a better communicator to the masses, which include conservatives who love him and many who hate him. Cruz will retain all their respect, and the longer he stays in the better his chances respect will turn to support.
Psssssssst!
They're not debates.
They're multi-party press conferences.
So why is he middle of the pack at best in these debates?
Uhhh, because these aren’t DEBATES. They are red meat free-for all’s meant to destroy one loud and boisterous candidate.
In a real, one-on-one, or 3 way debate Cruz destroys every clown in politics.
On Constitutional issues, no one on that stage can shine Cruz’s shoes. Period.