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The Anatomy of a Trump Defeat
National Review ^ | April 5, 2016 | Eliana Johnson

Posted on 04/06/2016 2:26:07 AM PDT by reaganaut1

Last Friday, four days before Wisconsinites would cast their ballots, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, and Sarah Palin headlined an event for the Milwaukee County Republican party. Donald Trump, whose unconventional campaign rests almost entirely on his public appearances, had left it to Palin to carry the banner for him while he jetted off to Washington, D.C. There, he would cap a dismal week by sitting down with Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus for a remedial lesson in delegate allocation.

It’s looking as if he will need it. Cruz trounced him in Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary, 50 to 33 percent, with 73 percent reporting, making a contested convention more likely in July. The results were significant in another way, too. Trump has mostly over-performed, astounding political onlookers at every turn. Wisconsin marks the first contest in which he has, arguably, underperformed, ceding to Cruz what had been an eleven-point lead in late February, as measured by a Marquette University poll, for a 28-point reversal over the course of just five weeks.

“I think Wisconsin is significant because it’s the first state that he was on track to win that he is going to lose as a result of his demeanor, temper, and comportment as a presidential candidate,” says Steve Schmidt, who managed John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008.

Wisconsin was always going to be difficult terrain for Trump. Though the state has plenty of rural areas populated by the sorts of lower middle-class voters who have fueled Trump’s campaign, and hosts an open primary, in which Democrats and independents are free to cast ballots, it also has an unusually unified, politically sophisticated Republican electorate thanks to the bruising battles its governor, Scott Walker, has led it through in recent years.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...


TOPICS: Cheese, Moose, Sister
KEYWORDS: trump
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To: mkjessup; Daniel Ramsey; 20yearsofinternet; tirednvirginia; PJBankard; stephenjohnbanker; ...

“Cruz winning only gave him an extra week, for Cruz its all about playing dirty and peeing in the swimming pool, plus leaving a large floater. “

“LOL, thank you Mr. Ramsey for what is probably the best description of the GOPe’s temporary candidate thus far! “ MK

That covers it quite well. Cruz is what the 1950’s communists called a USEFUL IDIOT : )


101 posted on 04/06/2016 8:22:55 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) since Nov 2014 (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: mkjessup; Liz; reaganaut1; 20yearsofinternet; tirednvirginia; PJBankard; stephenjohnbanker; ...

National RINO-Review engaging in a mass zombie-orgasm.”

Ah the PUKES!

Yes the PUKES!

Ah the PUKES”

Bad Hemingway, or just Bad SJB ?

I retort, you deride : )


102 posted on 04/06/2016 8:31:52 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) since Nov 2014 (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: Sideshow Bob

Janesville is the hometown of GOP hero Paul Ryan
Who is being challenged in his next race


103 posted on 04/06/2016 9:19:48 AM PDT by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: plewis1250

it’s worked for every democrat elected.


104 posted on 04/06/2016 9:49:10 AM PDT by HWGruene (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Really, no kidding.)
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To: plewis1250
"Unfortunately Trump is a joke. His behavior is childlike, immature, and he flip flops on core issues which a 70 year old should have down by this point. That tells people he likely cannot be trusted Top it off with his near constant personal attacks and tiffs with folks on Twitter, and you end up with someone who is disliked by 60-70% of the electorate. With numbers that high, it lets Hillary have a shot."

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....

105 posted on 04/06/2016 10:21:32 AM PDT by taildragger (Not my Monkey, not my Circus...)
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To: Duchess47

Your friend is right.


106 posted on 04/06/2016 11:25:49 AM PDT by MIA_eccl1212 (When you see a drowning liberal, throw them the anchor...)
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To: jpsb

-—I seems to me GOPe Ted is doing exactly what the R wing of the uniparty wants
.
.
.
Only a matter of time before Ted starts calling those of us who are against the GOPe; “whacko birds”


107 posted on 04/06/2016 11:32:14 AM PDT by Bubba Gump Shrimp (if God wanted Cruz to be president, he'd have been born in America)
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To: taildragger
I agree. Wisconsin is out of sync with the other states. They are living a successful GOPe experience. Reality will catch up to them soon.

If Trump gets his position papers done so he can speak more in depth when necessary, he could gain 10 points.

108 posted on 04/06/2016 11:59:24 AM PDT by donna (Radicalized Christians become missionaries; then, they tell everyone that Jesus loves them!)
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To: MIA_eccl1212

I expect very serious and obvious voter fraud from here on out. Rules changes and 24/7 media and GOPe lies.


109 posted on 04/06/2016 12:03:06 PM PDT by Duchess47 ("One day I will leave this world and dream myself to Reality" Crazy Horse)
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To: taildragger

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.


110 posted on 04/06/2016 2:20:27 PM PDT by plewis1250 (The pecking order: Christian, American, Conservative)
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To: plewis1250

The president is selected by the electoral college. They despise Cruz more than even Trump. What you fail to realize is that to become the president you must have enough of the other parties votes. It’s pretty close now that soon there won’t be enough republicans to get one elected just though the party line only, unlike the democrats.
Cruz has zero crossover appeal. Trump does as he is a neo-conservative.


111 posted on 04/07/2016 6:33:39 AM PDT by HWGruene (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Really, no kidding.)
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To: HWGruene

What on earth are you talking about.

The electoral college is not some set group of people, they change every single election.

As far as cross-over voters, sure Trump is attractive to democrats, because he is a liberal, not a neo-conservative. Do you even know what neo-conservative means?

So I guess you are making the case that we should elect a man from the middle, that way we can win. Of course, you fail to point out this is the EXACT SAME play we have tried over, and over, and over again. Romney... McCain... it works oh so well.

Cap it off with the fact that numerous conservatives will likely stay home, combined with the huge disapproval rating Trump has with women... you’re looking at a MASSIVE landslide defeat in November with Trump as the nominee.

I could care less about “crossover” appeal. I want someone who says what they believe, and stands for those principles, based upon the US Constitution. I want REAL victory, not some faux victory born out of the bastardization of our beliefs and principles.

What is the point of winning if in the end you sell your soul to accomplish it?

What YOU fail to realize is that unless we elect a constitutional conservative this election cycle, we are doomed for generations to come. Simple as that.


112 posted on 04/07/2016 7:55:29 AM PDT by plewis1250 (The pecking order: Christian, American, Conservative)
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To: plewis1250

When was the last time an actual republican conservative got the job as president? Teddy ROOSEVELT? LMAO!


113 posted on 04/07/2016 2:10:17 PM PDT by HWGruene (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Really, no kidding.)
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To: plewis1250

so, your position is you want and demand cruz to lose to hillary or bernie in the general. gotcha. If cruz hasn’t beaten trump yet he will be eaten alive facing the democrat gibsmedats.


114 posted on 04/07/2016 2:19:25 PM PDT by HWGruene (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Really, no kidding.)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I’m not bothering to vote in the general. I voted for TRUMP already, and canuck cruz won Texas. such an embarrassment.
I’ve talked to people that voted and they were stunned and not even aware of his canadian past then about heidi being with goldman sachs, then they became furious that cruz was a liar.
Cruz is just another slimy establishment politician. might as well have hillary kill off the republic, at least we know she takes the silverware.


115 posted on 04/07/2016 2:28:23 PM PDT by HWGruene (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Really, no kidding.)
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To: HWGruene

You be surprised how many people I know who were not aware of the Donald’s cheating ways. They were stunned. Fortunately once they found out, they decided they didn’t want him as President.

They didn’t want another Bill Clinton.


116 posted on 04/07/2016 2:31:34 PM PDT by beandog (Trump and his supporters have to take the elevator up to even reach the gutter.)
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To: HWGruene

If you think Teddy Roosevelt was a conservative, that speaks volumes about your political leanings/misunderstandings...


117 posted on 04/07/2016 3:59:25 PM PDT by plewis1250 (The pecking order: Christian, American, Conservative)
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To: HWGruene

Unlike Trump, Cruz is actually beating Hillary in polls. Trump loses against her.


118 posted on 04/07/2016 4:01:46 PM PDT by plewis1250 (The pecking order: Christian, American, Conservative)
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To: plewis1250

cruz is beating hillary? where? In one county in Utah?
You’re hilarious.


119 posted on 04/08/2016 2:59:37 AM PDT by HWGruene (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Really, no kidding.)
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To: plewis1250

“If you think Teddy Roosevelt was a conservative, that speaks volumes about your political leanings/misunderstandings..”
You are confusing TR (r) with FDR (d)


120 posted on 04/08/2016 9:03:42 AM PDT by HWGruene (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Really, no kidding.)
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