Their are days PLewis when I wish Ivanka was running not Donald. Seriously, his kids look like they have really turned out marvelous, in-spite of his various marriages etc. Ditto that Melania, she is smarter than they are letting on.
So team Donald, if you are lurking, which I suspect you do, get the Trump women to talk to the Donald and straighten him out. It does bother me his lack of discernment ( private story not for here ), however doing a one on one interview w/ econ wonk like Larry Kudlow he shines. He needs that 24 / 7, not the showman up to now. I it time to shift gears.
On a tangent subject I have friends that are good judges of character and finally let it out that they have not felt comfortable about Ted, something in his eyes ( ditto that Paul Ryan ) that has their 6th senses alerted. Interesting observation to say the least....
Discernment is one of my spiritual gifts (uh oh... gonna get the atheists riled up here...) and granted, I have not met either of these men in person, I have to say I have to disagree with your friend’s assessment.
A person’s actions and past speak volumes. People certainly can experience life changing events which can cause someone to shift in their belief structure.
Donald Trump has a LONG pattern of being dishonest, of supporting abhorrent activities, cheating on his spouses, being grandiose about his exploits, and admitting to participating in tantamount bribery (donations to get stuff done) of a public official.
This is a man with a VERY low character.
Ted Cruz on the other hand does NOT have a pattern of any of those things. In fact, quite the opposite. He takes his faith very seriously and lives his life accordingly. He has fought time and time again for items which fit with his belief structure, and prioritizes the Constitution above all things in his career of public service. He is someone whom until June of last year, just about everyone on this site was begging to run, but something happened.
Last July, this steady drumbeat of vitriolic rhetoric started to hit this site almost daily. Personal attacks began flying even back then. Things ratcheted up once the debates began, starting with the sudden proclamation that Meagan Kelly was suddenly a die-hard liberal whom we had to hate.
In all honesty, I’m fairly certain there is a coordinated attack occurring on this site, from a small group of individuals whom have led an almost group think mentality. Things which would NEVER have been tolerated a year ago happen daily now.
For example, look at Trump’s wishy washy support pro-life stance. He went from one extreme to another [punish the women (what??) all the way to leave things as they are (what?!?)] in a matter of days... This should indicate to folks the guy has NO CLUE what he is talking about such a basic issue as when life begins, OR he is being dishonest about his true feelings on the matter.
In years past, this would have DQed him from even being considered by the very conservative folks on this site. Instead, he is excused. Excuse after excuse is made for his behavior.
“It’s tactical.”
“He was thinking in terms of criminal activity.”
“His position on the matter has always been this, he just misspoke.”
No, excuses are not acceptable.
The behavior of this man should disqualify him alone, yet it gets dismissed.
He cannot even lose with dignity. Instead he attacks Cruz, accuses him of federal crimes (with zero evidence), and slanders Cruz’ name.
Once again, it is my opinion that this man is of VERY low moral character, and quite possibly completely lacking in spiritual character. In whatever regard, he is immature, disgraceful, and has no business serving in any public office, let alone the most powerful one in the world.