Posted on 12/12/2015 5:19:32 AM PST by Michael van der Galien
Yesterday we reported that Donald Trump and Ted Cruz seemed to be preparing to go to war with each other. A few hours later, however, Cruz himself responded on Twitter by saying that, although the media would love to see a cage match between himself and the billionaire businessman, he won't play along.
That could -- and by all means should -- have been the end of it.
Sadly it is not. Trump can also read polls and understands that Cruz poses a serious threat to him in Iowa. And so the cage match has started, whether Cruz likes it or not:
"The New Yorker spent more time on Friday poking Cruz for opposing ethanol subsidies, which are widely popular there. Independent groups there are beginning to spend money against Cruz for his position, which Trump told a questioner was "anti-Iowa." Cruz says the subsidies are an example of government interference in the free market."
The Donald literally said:
"With the ethanol, really, he's got to come a long way, 'cause right now he's for the oil. But I understand it, oil pays him a lot of money. He's got to be for oil, right? But I'm with you. I'm self-funding. I have no oil company. I have no special interest."
Of course The Donald is a special interest, but it would be rather inconvenient for him to point that out. And so he's playing self-funding card once again, hoping it'll give him the edge, while defending crony capitalism.
Trump apparently thinks that he can win Iowa by defending ethanol subsidies. This is what he does: he tries to buy people's votes. The difference with Cruz is stark: the senator from Texas chooses principles over short-term political gain.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
I am a firm believer in never using ethyl alcohol in an internal combustion engine. If one must go to the trouble and expense of distilling it, it should be stored in charred oak barrels until such time as it is needed. In Kentucky, maybe. Or Tennessee. Or western NC or VA. Or in my basement.
Energy subsidies are a non-issue, few understand and no one cares either way. They just want cheap gas.
I was responding to someone who was reporting that the oil industry creates jobs, trying to point out that that is not a good argument, since ethanol does the same thing for Iowa that oil does for Texas.
Because a Politician who panders to special interest is going to screw the voters on every other issue if it benefits them politically especially of they have a history of supporting liberal positions like being pro abortion pro national health care and many others.
This and attacking Cruz’s religion (I am a non denominational myself ) says a lot about Trump this is very negative IMO.
I would note he dropped his Muslim bomb the afternoon the poll show him behind Cruz came out. Panic move. If he loses Iowa and the veneer of invincibility is removed he could melt down, he is very narcissistic and thin skinned like Obama.
People care when the government mandates E15 gas, that ruins their engines. <p<Gasoline would be even cheaper if the government no longer orders us to mix gasoline with liquor.
It’s a popularity contest among low information voters.
BAM.
I remember filling my truck with the new "regahol", regular leaded gas with 10% ethanol, in the late 1970s for my long commute to school. This was not long after the oil embargo, back when Jimmy was still President Carter and brother Billy was still selling his Billy Beer and marking territory.
The only reason people said to use it, regahol, not Billy Beer, was that it might help keep the gas line from freezing in the nasty cold Iowa winters.
I think that was even before the Polar Vortex, too, back when we were told we were headed for the next ice age, before they invented Global Warming, so I'm feeling old all of a sudden.
It was "new" at the time. I think it might have been a bit cheaper, too, just to get people to buy it.
Now? Try to find a station with pure gas. I'm lucky to live close two stations, only a mile away from me, but I lucked out moving here.
Oh yes he has. He said he was in the pocket of big oil.
And why was he talking about Cubans not being evangelical.
That said, I understand nothing Trump does or says bothers his supporters.
This article is written by people that are very confused.
LOL....well, you replied directly to the guy who wrote the article....and posts (pimps) his own articles, here at FR....for the clicks.
Maybe he can tell us why he only posts either his own, or his employers’ articles, here at FR.
Those principles of Trump's which aren't for sale are negotiable.
Says the guy who donated to 23 different Democrats and the Clinton Foundation.
Since there have been quite a few posts on the thread claiming that ethanol receives subsidies, someone should set the record straight.
Ethanol has not received a direct subsidy for several years now, since they expired in 2011.
What there is is a mandate that so much ethanol has to be blended with our fuel.
For the record, I oppose both subsidies and mandates, and did so quite publicly when I ran for Iowa governor last year.
The list on this sort of thing is endless - after Trump says something a huge number of them come along and support it lock, stock and barrel - something they disagreed with 5 seconds before he uttered the words.
That is true. He is ahead and we don’t believe hyped up rhetoric from his detractors.
Trump just tweeked Cruz a little for the Cruz barbs earlier in the day.
It wasn’t a big deal on either of their parts.
It is my understanding that NYC has around 5% of it’s population being Evangelicals...so around 425,000.
Cruz does say cut all subsidies. No subsidies for oil, sugar, ethanol, green energy, none of it. Cruz says the government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers, but let the free market work.
Sadly the Cruz crazies are too bright.
We already have a cult leader as president now.
I didn't vote for this one, and I'm not voting for the next one either.
Fact is, if you're worried about whether ethanol subsidies are an issue vs. Muslim immigration, wide open borders, TPP (which Ted voted for), Iran nukes (which Ted voted for), then your "conservative" priorities belong with the Democrats.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.