Posted on 01/15/2016 12:26:02 PM PST by conservativejoy
Ted Cruz showed remarkable fighting spirit in the Republican presidential debate on Thursday, lacing Donald Trump with the same kind of brilliant and witty lines that he's used in his fights against Mitch McConnell.
When Trump's bogus charges against Cruz's eligibility to be President were raised, Cruz turned the tables on him, remarking that Trump had no problems with his eligibility several months earlier, giving this incredible one liner:
Since September, the Constitution hasn't changed, but the poll numbers have.
Trump looked very uncomfortable at that. But Cruz was just beginning, He even pointed on that Trump's own mother was not a "natural born" citizen, and that the same tinfoil hat crowd which was challenging his own eligibility could challenge Trump's. The crowd roared with laughter.
When Cruz pressed Trump on why he was pushing this issue now, Trump admitted it was because Cruz was doing better in the polls, and the crowd roared.
The audience was clearly on Cruz's side, booing Trump not once but several times when Trump pushed his birther argument.
Cruz also made the point that Trump was relying on Harvard Law professor Larry Tribe, a far-leftist who supports Hillary Clinton for President.
Trump was made to look small and petty as Cruz came out as the first candidate to challenge Trump in a debate and beat him.
When Cruz was hit by questions about reporting a loan to his campaign, instead of panicking or talking quickly like Marco Rubio, he ridiculed the New York Times, saying one of its writers had compared him to an evil spirit from a horror film, and the audience laughed.
Then Cruz was back on the offensive. Trump had attacked Cruz obliquely saying "Not a lot of evangelicals come from Cuba" and Cruz turned it around on him, saying "Not a lot of conservatives come out of Manhattan."
The crowd laughed. Trump responded by talking about New York's response to 9/11... which was quite unrelated.
In general Trump looked unnerved, as if he had met his match, and was overmatched.
Cruz was also excellent at turning questions to more interesting topics, like when he was handed a jobs question and instead answered about the humiliation of our marines:
I give you my word, if I am elected president, no serviceman or servicewoman will be forced to be on their knees in any nation that captures our fighting men and women. We'll field the full force and fury of the United States of America.
He was given a big round of applause for that.
As for the other candiates, John Kasich was as boring and predictable as ever, talking about his mailman Dad, all the committees he served on, and how he came together with a liberal democrat to form a committee on something or other. His sleepiest sentence: " At the end of the day, the country needs healed."
Ben Carson was also as sleepy as ever. Given an easy question about Clinton sex scandals, he went off on an abstract tangent. And what would he do about ISIS? "Ask the military leaders what they need and give it to them."
Marco Rubio talked through chunks of his prepared speech at about a mile a minute. He got in a good attack on Ted Cruz with a laundry list of inconsistencies on immigration, some legitimate, some not (but which all pale in comparison to Trump--unlike Trump, Cruz never supported amnesty for illegal aliens), but Rubio got the worst of it when it was pointed that Rubio did, and continues to, support amnesty for illegal aliens.
The funniest moment in the debate was when we saw Linsey Graham in the audience... finally, after all these months, he made it to the main debate, and all he had to do was quit to do it!
(Abridged version originally published in American Thinker)
Well, now I’m hurt and angry. Why am I not on the list. Well, I have to leave sometimes to walk Smitty so I can’t post ALL the time.
Okay, I don’t hate Trump enough maybe. I’ve always appreciated what he’s brought to the campaign. Ted Cruz acknowledged it also in his interview with Cavuto. (By the way does Cavuto ever shut up? He kept asking Cruz questions and then interrupting his answers).
I just don’t love him anymore. I’m not sure I even like him.
But I demand to be on the list.
Walking your dog is always a good idea. It is physically and emotionally good for you.
I live in a place where it is hard to do. I take my life in my hands on Haiku Road but Smitty and I do it anyway.
I often pray while I’m walking Smitty and ask for forgiveness and guidance. I need both.
Rubio can’t open his mouth without lying. I agree he can’t be gone soon enough.
He did not destroy Cruz on his cheap and sentimental bringing in of 9-11.
Trump did not donate a penny to 9-11 relief but he was willing to use it against Cruz.
Yes, Cruz had a classy reaction to the 9-11 cheap shot by Trump. He didn’t just stand there. He actually applauded.
I can’t help but think if Rubio is the nominee, it’ll be Rick Lazio all over again.
Oh...Anyone coming out of this debate thinking that is delusional.
Cruz was 1/2 too cute. He’s coming across more and more as the big nerd in your High School who was squeaky clean. Nothing wrong with that, and that would be a great follow up to a guy like Trump. We needed a faith based guy to follow Reagan, instead we got mush.
And Trump comes across as a big, goofy clown.
Loved the red meat thrown out there with speculation about a Trump / Cruz ticket.
I am fortunate enough to live close to a paved bike trail that goes through the country and past some horse and goat pastures. Bridges over creeks, wooden benches on the side to sit and rest.
It’s a true blessing, I try to take Isis there on every sunny day. I got back a little early today, because my legs just were not in the mood for a longer walk, but it was otherwise lovely.
Isis spends most of her time on the trail stalking the ever elusive squirrel.
Well I don’t think a guy like Cruz is going put any fear in anyone, but it’s moot now. He messed up big time with his New York Values cluster, and now he’s polarized this thing into religious war, which is probably what his followers wanted to begin with.
That sounds wonderful. We are hoping to buy a house in a better location where we can walk to the beach and to parks.
Right now, it’s kind of dangerous as Haiku Road is a two-lane much-trafficked road with curves where the drivers go too fast and there is only a small dirt shoulder to walk on.
Once we get that first couple of blocks done, we can turn on a nice road with beautiful scenery but I always pray we can cross the road and not get squished in the process.
Unfortunately they do not let dogs on the beaches here in Florida, except in one place in Pensacola, but that’s really too far for me to go. I would love to walk my dog on the beach though, and I certainly would pick up her poop as I always do.
We have lots of roads around here that are two lane highways of death, with no shoulders and logging trucks going 65-80 mph just on the other side of the yellow line.
I avoid these roads as much as I can, I don’t think I have the mettle to walk along the side of one of these for any length.
The bike trail is just about a mile down the hill from my house, so I just drive her there, park and walk.
The area where it passes through the horse and goat pastures is one of the loveliest places I have ever seen. it is just so tranquil and quiet, such clean air, beautiful, majestic horses to look at.
That is one of my favorite places in this world.
My point was that Trump left Cruz speechless... Cruz could have responded with the fact that Trump dis not donate a penny to the relief, but just stood there defeated.
New York City is the perfect example of what left wing policies and attitudes will do to a population. I think NYC’s values suck and Trump represents those values. Many others out here in fly over country share my opinion.
Not sure I understand the religious war comment. Do you mean opposing judicially mandated abortions and homosexual marriage?
No, I see where this is going...The religious far right is going to dig in and stay home if their boy isn’t chosen.
State? He said "New York City".
What major American city is conservative?
A list of 4 would be fine. Thanks.
When Trump's bogus charges against Cruz's eligibility to be President were raised, Cruz turned the tables on him, remarking that Trump had no problems with his eligibility several months earlier, giving this incredible one liner:It was a Trump stomp.Since September, the Constitution hasn't changed, but the poll numbers have.
Trump looked very uncomfortable at that. But Cruz was just beginning, He even pointed on that Trump's own mother was not a "natural born" citizen, and that the same tinfoil hat crowd which was challenging his own eligibility could challenge Trump's. The crowd roared with laughter.
When Cruz pressed Trump on why he was pushing this issue now, Trump admitted it was because Cruz was doing better in the polls, and the crowd roared.
The audience was clearly on Cruz's side, booing Trump not once but several times when Trump pushed his birther argument.
Funny as hell, too.
Trump was foolish enough to put the spotlight on Cruz in the weeks leading up to the debate with his crackpot attacks against Cruz.
Cruz embarrassed him. And he will continue to embarrass Trump with each passing debate.
Trump is the dog who caught the car.
Trump continues to double down on this today. This may be the issue that brings Trump down.
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