Any Trump Attacks on Cruz Probably Aren't Going to Work Like They Did with Others

Reaganite Republican ^ | 14 December 2015 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

After breezily dispatching (Walker, Perry) and/or permanently crippling 
(Bush, Rand Paul) a number of weaker GOP challengers who dared to get-up-in-his-grill, Donald Trump is now making noises about going after Ted Cruz... but if he does, this time it's likely to be different.

First off, he looks like a disingenuous hypocrite to attack Ted Cruz after allying himself with him so closely to this point, saying nice things repeatedly, and claiming they think almost identically. He's clearly taking a huge risk in alienating the Republican base.

Trump has claimed he's only going to get into tangles with Cruz 'if he comes after me first', but with the media egging him on now daily The Donald seems to be attempting to stoke some open friction. This really does make him look like the politician he always claims not to be... Trump's all but said himself he has no reason to attack Cruz but for personal political gain-- how deeply cynical to not even hide it.

Truth is, Cruz's base of support consists of Evangelicals unlikely to be charmed into voting for Trump... as well as many voters like myself who agree with a lot of what Trump says -and think he's done the process a lot of good- but long ago decided Cruz was a better presidential candidate, one with a still-more-conservative platform. I'm not a Trump 'hater' at all, but there is nothing he could possibly say or do that would have me taking him over Ted Cruz in the primary.

For all the talk about how loyal Trump voters are, the support Ted Cruz has earned to this point has him out-front by ten points in Iowa now... and all of those people have already had a long, hard look at Donald Trump.

When Trump attacked those with fragile support, it was an entirely different situation that he faces in going after Ted Cruz... I'd say he's even going to have a hard time coming up with material/dirt on Senator Cruz -without sounding like Mitch McConnell- the guy is clean as a whistle and a true Reaganite... not much to pick apart there, nothing any conservatives would give a hoot about, anyway.

On top of that, Cruz probably won't take the bait, either...

[xzins]

My take is different, CE. I think Trump was not trying to drive down Cruz’s numbers. I think he was trying to gain defectors from Rubio, Cruz, and other establishmentarians.

Anyone supporting Cruz ALREADY knows that he was a disruptor in the Senate. That’s WHY they support him.

Who could Trump possibly be appealing to? Not them.

[C. Edmund Wright]

or maybe he’s just thin skinned and still has unsteady political leanings and instincts....please don’t make mistake of reading superior insight into every single thing he says. It’s just not the case.

[VanDeKoik]

At what point did I say they like him?

They are going to cozy up with him to bounce Trump, and then they will dispose of Cruz.

[xzins]

It’s not a matter of great insight. It’s a matter of great polling data being supplied to him. I think that explains everything he’s said so far. That’s not to say he doesn’t believe it, but it is to say that he’s always on the right side of the data.

[C. Edmund Wright]

you’re over thinking it, and ignoring realities.

He spouts off. He has for 68 years. Why can’t you just accept that?

[jersey117]

I like them both. I’ll be fine with either or a ticket with both. It doesn’t matter which one gets the nomination since the establishment, the rats and the media hates them both.

[xzins]

Because he’s made 10 billion bucks.

He’s no dummy.

[C. Edmund Wright]

yes, by inheriting many millions of dollars - and by protecting himself from bankruptcy by screwing middle class vendors.....and on and on.

Rush is trashing Trump just as I did right now...tune in and listen.

[C. Edmund Wright]

HAHAHAHAHAHA Rush parrotting me right now.....as did Levin.....LOL......

[humblegunner]

Rush parrotting me right now.

Yep, I heard that.

"Attacking from the left"...

Well, Trump never claimed to be perfect and I never expected him to be.

I'll still take him or Cruz over the whole lot combined.

[C. Edmund Wright]

attacking from the left.....attacking like the establishment would attack...and raising red flags.

No doubt he read it. It’s the conclusion Rush would make normally.

[humblegunner]

Not necessarily red flags but maybe a need for Trump to review how he couches his volleys.

Still though..

If somebody is clearing the unclearable brush for me,
I’m not going to bitch about the make of his bulldozer.

Trump hasn’t a traditional conservative history but he’s tearing the hell out of the brush.

[xzins]

The list of billionaires is tiny, while the list of people who’ve inherited millions is pretty large. He’s done a remarkable thing, and I’m not going to let bias or prejudice cause me to ignore that fact.

I’m not surprised at a businessman using the bankruptcy laws to his advantage. Millions of Americans have done the same.

Rush has been pretty big on Trump for some time now. I don’t like to stream him over my wifi because it costs me gigs, and reception by radio far into rural America where I live is spotty right now since it’s raining.

Sometimes Kaslin posts transcripts. Perhaps he will of this Rush segment you are referring to.

[C. Edmund Wright]

wow, you’ve really dropped in my book....sorry, I call em like I see em....

[xzins]

For not having reception?

[C. Edmund Wright]

perception

[xzins]

You’ve never been one to hold it against someone just because they didn’t agree with you. I find it real odd that you’re going there. My sense is that you are fully committed to someone...Cruz, perhaps? I don’t know. That can sometimes cloud a discussion.

For what it’s worth I donate quarterly to Cruz and have since the day he entered the race. But I’m not going to overlook the strengths of other candidates, nor overlook what I think is really going on.

Why would Trump use ‘Cruz is a disruptor’ as an argument against Cruz with Cruz’s own supporters who support him BECAUSE he is a disruptor?

My answer is that he’s not targeting Cruz’s supporters. He’s targeting those that would be swayed by that kind of an argument; i.e., non-Cruz supporters.

[C. Edmund Wright]

It’s not “holding against” and its not for disagreeing....it’s a disappointing thought process - imo - is all. You are not tracking with my logic.

[Georgia Girl 2]

No you just don’t like to hear it. When you hit it on the mark once in awhile I give you an attaboy every time. :-)

[C. Edmund Wright]

Be sure to tune into Newxmax TV and The Malzberg Panel tonight....I’m on it....