Posted on 03/05/2016 6:44:16 AM PST by CapitalistCrusader
I was thinking about the republican primary and asking myself, "if conservatism is the answer and Ted Cruz is an exemplar of conservatism, why is he not doing much better at the ballot box so far?" Or, why is Donald Trump doing so much better? In my opinion, Trump is doing better because he is proposing solutions to our country's problems that are derived from common sense thinking.
For example, there are thousands of illegal aliens crossing the border with Mexico on a monthly basis. Trump's solution? Build a wall. This is not a new idea so Trump adds that he'll get Mexico to pay for it. Whether he can actually get Mexico to pay for it is not really relevant to his campaign. Politicians routinely make bold predictions of what they will do once elected and then never deliver. The point is that he mixes the common sense solutions with a degree of bravado that adds an air of the traditional rugged American. This theme of common sense solutions mixed with a little New York moxy has been pattern in his campaign thus far. This is what he has branded "Common Sense Conservatism."
Putting all the name calling aside, Trump and Cruz want to accomplish many of the same goals as POTUS. Secure the border, replace ObamaCare. reduce the size of the federal government, etc. So why is Trump resonating with more voters than Cruz? Because Ted Cruz is an elitist conservative. What is an elitist? An elitist is a person who believes that a society or system should be lead by an elite. Only a "true" conservative is able to select a proper justice for the supreme court. Only a "true" conservative can come up with the right plan to rein in the federal bureaucracy. Only a "true" conservative can fix the health care system. The list goes on and on. His demeanor suggests that only he, a "true" conservative, can properly lead, or is fit to lead our country out of the problems we currently face.
This is why a Ted Cruz campaign rally is reminiscent of a revival meeting. Ted Cruz is an elitist conservative. He is as much an elitist as Mitt Romney, as Jeb Bush, as Mitch McConnell, as Harry Reid, as Nancy Pelosi. He is simply a member of different elitist cabal.
But here's a new flash for Ted Cruz and Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin. Conservatism comes in many flavors, not just the true, doctrinaire, orthodox variety. There are many conservatives out here who are secualr, or gay, or lesbian, or even atheist. And we don't like to be preached to and proselytized.
I am a Trump supporter but I will vote for whomever wins the nomination legitimately. But all you elitists out there, of both the Republican and Conservative variety, should be aware that if you destroy Trump by invective you will be alienating a large swath of voters. If that happens I would expect turnout in the general to reach historic lows and Clinton to be the next POTUS. Is destroying Trump worth it?
The primaries are higher, but primaries are a view into the more politically active. The dynamic of a two person race is different from one with several. Also, primary numbers are small in comparison to the general.
Even if the trend of higher total turnout carries over, what about the negative numbers? Wouldn’t they carry over as well? And what happens in a two person race due to the low second choice numbers? Will those primary voters stay home in the general?
” There’s something genuinely repulsive about the guy. “
He does look like a hearse driver!
I think it's because each believes he is the first person ever to have had these particularly brilliant insights or to have expressed them in such a sophisticated and persuasive manner.
At least this one doesn't look as though it was typed by a cat.
” Rubio would win, he is as cute as a puppy!”
And LBJ would’ve lifted him up by his ears!
Google Ted Cruz and North American Union.
Ted Cruz and Glen Beck
Ted Cruz and Heidi Cruz and Goldman Sachs.
Lots of voters, myself included, don’t watch television.
Haven’t for YEARS.
And Romney would put him on the top of his car!
My point was not so much analyzing the trends and comparing to past elections, but rather noting how different this election is.
The results of your thoughtful analysis would normally have Trump finished by this point (given the negatives and low second choices), yet he handedly leads in delegates so far and is the leader in all the GOP polls.
I’m just not sure it is following a pattern anyone recognizes, and therefore, can accurately predict.
Trump also supports all of those and is a Christian. So why do Cruz and the Cruz only crowd say that Trump is not a true conservative
What lie did I say about Trump? His TV show is just small part of his success. Like it or not he is a very successful business man. The fact is that he did take a $1 million loan and turn it into a $10 billion empire. He has years of experience in running a multi-national, multi-billion dollar organization. Those are his qualifications in my book.
Cruz never had his own TV SHOW
Actually I never watched Trump's TV show either. But my point that America loves celebrities and that Trump's status as a real, red-blooded, American celebrity is extremely helpful to his cause. That just cannot be ignored.
What is being ignored (due in large part to his celebrity status) is his policy positions. They are often correct from a conservative point of view but just as often they poorly thought out and really, really poorly supported by Trump Rhetoric.
And worse, his policy positions are way too dynamic for my taste. Conservative principles are, after all, pretty static. We conservatives believe that the Founding Fathers had it pretty much right. Liberals don't agree with that. Their core belief system is really Marxism in its various forms.
Would Trump agree with that?
He might - today. Did he 10 years ago. 5 years ago? A month ago. I don't know but I doubt it.
Somehow even the normally level headed Freepers have found a way to willingly ignore all of this. My obviously oversimplified explanation is that they like Trump because he is an attractive and famous personality who can play the part of a conservative and provide admittedly great Sound Bytes. Today he can. And perhaps next week and next month. But next year? I'm not so sure.
Cruz is hated more than Trump because you can negotiate away Trump’s core beliefs should any be discovered.
Here is a test Trump Chumps.
What are Cruz’ core beliefs; in the Constitution and smaller government.
What are Trump’s core beliefs?
My analysis does not point to Trump being gone by this point at all. It does not deny his 30%+ support. It raises concern about his support in the remaining 60%.
As to if this year invalidates the patterns of the past, I guess we shall see.
If you were correct, you'd be a genius. I hate the Republican party as currently constituted and want to see it dead, buried, and the grave site salted. I want it's country club, average American hating, Mexican and Muslim importing, China and Viet Nam and Mexico manufacturing promoting pile of Chamber of Commerce retards kicked soundly in the ass. If Donald doesn't do that by either winning or losing, I'll hope we can find someone else for next time.
No, in a nutshell, Cruz has NEVER accomplished anything worthwhile conservatively. Saying so isn't doing. On the other hand, Trump has used conservative principles his entire life to build his business, life and family. His solutions to the problems he is defining in this election are very conservative. He is a proven success. Trump does while "conservative" politicians talk and talk and talk and string along "hit me again" supporters.
My obviously oversimplified explanation is that they like Trump because he is an attractive and famous personality who can play the part of a conservative and provide admittedly great Sound Bytes.
If you were correct, you’d be a genius. I hate the Republican party as currently constituted and want to see it dead, buried, and the grave site salted. I want it’s country club, average American hating, Mexican and Muslim importing, China and Viet Nam and Mexico manufacturing promoting pile of Chamber of Commerce retards kicked soundly in the ass. If Donald doesn’t do that by either winning or losing, I’ll hope we can find someone else for next time.
A lot of people, myself including, never or rarely paid any attention to Trump for years, and/or are not the least impressed by his public persona of TV fame, wealth, etc. In fact his lifestyle repulses me. So effing what? His message is one that will kick the table over. That’s all I care about. These are his position, which I support, I may have missed some. And to top it all off, he’s experienced at running a vast business empire, hires the right people, is a fighter, an alpha male, has never taken drugs and any dirt on him is there for all the world to see.
Border control.
Follow the existing immigration laws and stiffen them.
Fight Islamic jihad at home.
Bring free market into health care.
Support 2nd Amendment.
Support for law enforcement.
Against voter fraud.
Bring manufacturing and jobs back to the US.
Simplify taxes.
Reduce red tape, get rid of unnecessary regulations that hamper businesses and personal freedom.
Cut/eliminate dept of Edu, EPA and some other I can’t remember.
Get rid of Common Core and education should be locally decided and controlled.
Ultimately get a SCOTUS that will overturn Roe/Wade and fag marriage.
Support freedom of religious expression.
Strengthen the military but curtail foreign interventions.
Make countries who we protect reimburnse us.
Take care of veterans better.
Eliminate fraud, waste and abuse in gov spending.
What are Cruz’ core beliefs; in the Constitution and smaller government.
1. Trash the Constitution, at least the part about qualifications for President. Oh, working with Congress too, EO’s aren’t constitutional.
2. Having laid the foundation for a President who can pretty much do as he pleases, TPP,TPA, etc. operate as a king.
3. Continue unlimited illegal immigration and H1-B visas after his 6month hiatus to think about it.
4. Start a war in the middle east, start a war with China.
5. Disparage and marginalize all who don’t buy into his brand of Christianity.
What are Trump’s core beliefs?
1. Follow the Constitution and the nation’s laws.
2. Work with Congress and make them do the job they were hired for.
3. Roll back government regulations effecting people and companies to non-existant or local level.
4. Stop illegal immigration.
5. Avoid foreign entanglements and wars as much as possible.
6. Hire the best experts possible for economy, trade, military.
Since I am a Trump Chump though, I’m sure you will disregard everything I’ve said. You are also overlooking all Cruz has not said and his record so far. That’s okay though, I’m sure you will be happy with him and Glen Beck running your life.
That too. Not sure if Cruz is even a US citizen of any kind. Since he won’t show all citizenship docs, who knows.
You’re a way smarter, more articulate and nicer guy than me. I’m also too lazy to explain the obvious to the oblivious.
Doesn’t upset me if people proclaim Jesus their lord and savior. But Cruz goes way beyond that, and his wife saying that blurb about the Face of God, and other stuff which circulates - no way, no how. His Mr. Pious Holy is a persona which he has assumed to help his political aspirations.
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