Posted on 03/11/2016 2:55:39 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Ted Cruz spent the CNN debate Thursday drawing policy contrasts between himself and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. On ISIS, trade, and immigration, Cruz said Trump speaks to voters' concerns but doesn't have solutions that address the problems America confronts. The personal attacks and shouting that have characterized the previous Republican debates were gone, replaced with somber candidates trying to hit target audiences with messages that have worked in the past. Trump was the politically incorrect straight-talker who wants America to win again. Cruz was the conservative ideologue ready to take on the bipartisan Washington cartel. Marco Rubio was once again the youthful, eloquent voice of a rising generation of conservatives. And John Kasich is the experienced governor who wants to expand the Republican coalition by reviving the tradition of compassionate conservatism.
If 2016 were like previous elections, Rubio and Kasich would be neck and neck in the delegate count and ready to give Hillary Clinton tough competition in the general election. But 2016 is not like previous elections. It features a black swan in the form of Donald Trump, the celebrity real estate mogul who is taking over the Republican party, and whose rise is evidence of a powerful anti-Washington sentiment among GOP voters. So the race isn't between Rubio and Kasich. It's between Trump and his closest rival, Ted Cruz, who is disliked by his Senate colleagues and alienated most of Washington when he shut down the government in the fall of 2013.
I doubt either Trump or Cruz is likely to win in November. But in recent days I have encountered the opinion, especially among liberals, that there is no difference between the two candidates. And this is a ridiculous idea. Cruz would make a much better president than Trump. It shouldn't be hard to see why.
For one thing, Cruz actually knows what he's talking about. If you listened to Trump during the CNN debate, you heard little in the way of policy detail. His answers begin with a few words describing how angry people are and how China is taking our jobs before ending with a demand that we negotiate better deals. Trump is full of bluster, often funny and impolitic. He's a great communicator because he reaches peoples' deepest emotions. But to call him "articulate" would be an exaggeration, and to call him a "wonk" would be delusional. You might not like Cruz's policies or the manner in which he communicates them, but there's no question he has firm convictions, a grasp of detail, and knows how to make an argument.
Then there is the question of the Constitution. Trump never mentions it. But Cruz worships it. He mentions it often in his speeches, knows its contents, is devoted to the memory of the Founders and wants to protect their legacy. I don't know how a President Trump would respond if one of the other coequal branches of government challenged his authority. Indeed, I am somewhat afraid that Trump would ignore or move against that other branch, whether it's Congress or the Court. But I don't have that worry with Cruz. He may be an ideologue, but he's an ideological constitutionalist. Trump is neither an ideologue nor a constitutionalist. His only principle is winning. And he's not talking about you winning. He's talking about Trump winning. That's all that matters to him.
The president is not only our head of government. He's also the head of state. He represents America. And I truly don't understand how one could think Donald Trump would be a better representative of America than Ted Cruz. Trump is riveting, entertaining, even charismatic. But he curses, he offends, he disturbs, he confronts, he bends and twists and pushes reality until it suits his needs. Having him as president would be like living on a rollercoaster. You wouldn't know whether you are up or down, and you are likely to wake up nauseous.
Cruz is very conservative, a Bible-believing Christian who is fiercely pro-market and hawkish (if not as interventionist as other Republicans). That might upset secular liberals worldwide. But would Cruz be as erratic, would he be as explosive, would he be as unsettling as Trump? I doubt it. The man idolizes Ronald Reagan. Well, we survived, indeed flourished under, one Reagan presidency. Not a bad model for our next president to have.
Who does Trump idolize? Himself. And his neutral and sometimes flattering attitude toward authoritarian governments ought to make you think twice about seeing him in the Oval Office.
The Oval Office seems very far away right now. It's unlikely either Trump or Cruz will be elected president. But nominating Trump would change the Republican Party in a way nominating Cruz would not. Trump overthrows the apple cart. He's already breaking one weak institution--the GOP--and there's no telling what other weak institutions he could break if elected to high office. For reasons of policy, presentation, and character, there is only remaining choice in this GOP primary. It is Ted Cruz.
Kasich bragged about creating 400 jobs in Ohio ( half of them working to process unemployment claims) and said we need more boots on the ground in the Middle East ( just not his)
Crruz said he plans to privatize social security, triggering 144,000 votes for Trump in the Drudge poll, all traceable to IPs in Del Boca Vista . He also hacked on nasal secretions but the Cruz crumb did not make an appearance ... Trump pwned him to an awkward silence on at least one question. This triggered 44,000 votes from Delaware in the drudge poll for Cruz, all emanating from Joe Bidens pool house
Every one of the candidates who said trump is racist about muslims advocated blowing their countries away in the Middle East. Trump said we are not going to be the world's cops anymore but if they want an armed American 911 based In their countries they're going to be billed. So Germany Japan and Iraq, what's in your wallet?
Rubio was as nervous as a spring break frat guy at his first foam party but no surreptitious pill popping was noted. Perhaps he used the extended release version before the debate . Rubio scored one hit though, and nearly tied Kasich for Miss Congeniality. Mostly he agreed with Trump on everything , possibly lining up for the job of Ambassdor to Cuba in the Trump administration. To bolster this he issued a message to the audience in Cuban.
At the end of the debate Trump thanked all 3 of his opponents for endorsing his platform and reminded people to vote. Since Republicans usually remember to do this, we can assume Trump was addressing his low info voters, aka democrats
Because managing 13 government laweyers totally prepares you to manage 4 million federal employees.
I'm a Cruz supporter. Both Cruz and Trump were over simplifying the issue but that's what you do in debate. Cruz missed an opportunity to point out the Chinese slave labor is cheap now but it's going to become expensive soon because Chicom slaves have been forbidden to reproduce.
“He’s already breaking one weak institution—the GOP—and there’s no telling what other weak institutions he could break if elected to high office.”
This author says this like its a bad thing.
All of Trumps substance was parroted by the other candidates last night except his view on Islam (they hate us) and military intervention ( we used to fight to win, now we fight for no reason at all)
If that isn’t your substance, you have other choices
“I love the Constitution and the colonial time period. I know that God is going to judge this nation and all the other nations that legalized child sacrifice. It is an abomination and our nation is no longer worthy of His blessing. Our problems are not economic. Our problems are moral. Our constitution was written for a moral people and I vote pro-life. Makes it simpler and I’m thinking about eternity.”
I agree 100% with all you said. I voted for Trump.
Who is tossing the Free Beacon in the trash? I love that site. I disagree with this writer’s opinion.
Calm is the new black.
Hahahah yes because 40 years of official one child policy has only seen their population increase by 40%... So certainly it will drop off anytime now (rolling eyes)
“You don’t find out about what is really going on by reading newspapers.”
That’s a good point. Trump can remind the public that he has an idea on how to get things fixed even without the benefit of daily security briefings, which Hillary had/has access to. She has no excuse.
‘“Then there is the question of the Constitution. Trump never mentions it. But Cruz worships it.”
Except for that natural-born citizen part.’
Oh but that nbc is so inconvenient and so stands in the way of his ambition! So Cruz will just ignore that one. Obama does it, why can’t he?
BUT but but the RATS will not ignore the nbc issue in the general election, if Cruz is the nominee!
I'll add that he's a former FOB (friend of Bill Clinton).
I'm just astonished at how many FReepers, evangelicals, and conservatives, have thrown away their principles to back the new "Hope and Change" candidate.
Sorry Trump supporters, but I just can't get past the Trump/Cinton friendship. I really can't.
Every time I start to think "maybe Trump will do some good for the country, if he makes it to be POTUS"- It's like I hear the sound of screetching brakes, and the picture of him smiling with the Clintons come to mind.
The Clintons are the reason North Korea now has nukes. The Clintons gave away our military secrets, and technology to China. The list of their betrayals of our country goes on and on
Missus Clinton has her own " accomplishment"-Benghazi, e mails exc..
I'm supposed to trust in Trump's judgement to be POTUS, but his judgement told him the Clintons were Ok, and to have a friendship with them?
I just can't get past that.
Saying nothing and winning the debate is VERY disturbing and it happens every time. But hey, how long has it been since America has been about substance? I’m sure there are plenty of books written about the moral decay and that road is wide and the way is easy.
LOL true and very sad.
I realize how astonished you are that many here support Trump, however you need to realize that although Trump is an unknown he is NOT BOUGHT and PAID for!!! So although you believe Cruz would be a better president in actuality it would be the same as it has ALWAYS been he would be beholden to his donors!!! We are all SICK TO DEATH of our government being run by BIG DONORS!!! we ALL feel that although Trump is a complete wild card WE want to give it a try, we feel our borders NEED to be closed if we are to survive as a nation!! Yes Cruz says he will close the borders, however in reality he WON’T be able to do it because of his donors!!! We have to get the money out of DC!!!
No actually Cruz wouldn’t since he is running to be President of the USA not President of the Conservative Purity Club.
I know this falls on deaf ears with 100%ers at places Washington Free Beacon, NR, Red State and other “Conservative” media but the fact remains, we are a Constitutional Republic that rests on the notion that the people’s Representatives in Government know how to compromise and negotiate. there is nothing in Cruz’s resume or campaign that indicates he understand that basic fundamental principal of Democracy.
This feeling that Cruz will ride into DC and dictate the Conservative Media’s 100%er terms to everyone else there is simply wishful thinking. What is more probably is Cruz would be a GOP Carter.
Carter was the same sort of religious political puritan who went to DC and assumed he would dictate his political dogmas to everyone there.
The record shows how badly that idea failed.
No actually Cruz wouldn’t since he is running to be President of the USA not President of the Conservative Purity Club.
I know this falls on deaf ears with 100%ers at places Washington Free Beacon, NR, Red State and other “Conservative” media but the fact remains, we are a Constitutional Republic that rests on the notion that the people’s Representatives in Government know how to compromise and negotiate. there is nothing in Cruz’s resume or campaign that indicates he understand that basic fundamental principal of Democracy.
This feeling that Cruz will ride into DC and dictate the Conservative Media’s 100%er terms to everyone else there is simply wishful thinking. What is more probably is Cruz would be a GOP Carter.
Carter was the same sort of religious political puritan who went to DC and assumed he would dictate his political dogmas to everyone there.
The record shows how badly that idea failed.
Classic neo - conservative advice says that tariffs start a trade war and cause imports to cost more. They consider that always to be bad. It is true that adding a 25% tariff to a tv will make a $1000 tv cost $1250.
But all of that tv was made overseas. All of the jobs, taxes, and manufacturing base is overseas. They can undercut US wages so greatly that it is cheaper to build that overseas AND undersell the same made in America products in American stores. The tariff means their products are more expensive on the shelf when you go to buy so you have an incentive to buy American because it now is cheaper.
The overseas manufacturer now has an incentive to build in America instead, so he can make more money.
The nation gets the tariffs to pay toward the US budget. That was how the founders envisioned financing much of the budget.
We also get the manufacturing base, the spin off suppliers, the jobs, the distribution, the retailing and service jobs. When It’s overseas all we get is the distribution and Walmart jobs. The other way we get all of them
And trade war? THEY want to sell here. WE can be self sufficient. And THEY are already tariffing us and discriminating against us. Why not have all the better paying jobs, too?
You do realize screaming an emotion based attack sourced on nothing but your opinion of Trump as if it were some sort of unassailable intellectually serious thoughtful comment is possibly the dumbest statement made so far on this thread right?
That’s why I call them Free Traitors™. The moniker fits like a glove.
Saw a shared site that tracks political donations. Trump isn’t paying his bills. He’s 17 million in debt. He also did use his contributions. Taking the money of the people he knows he won’t have to deal with.
“Donald Trump’s campaign reported January receipts of $6,121,102 and disbursements of $11,500,706 leaving $1,584,721 cash-on-hand as of January 31st, and debts of $17,534,058. Trump put $4.9 million into his campaign in January.”
http://www.politicalmoneyline.com/Default.aspx
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.