Donald Trump. I like Cruz too (and think he would be fine for VP), but I think Trump has a much better chance of both winning the election and really shaking things up in Washington and the country as a whole should he win.
I’ve heard from several Independents (usually very anti-Establishment) and Democrats (mainly blue-collar workers) who support Trump. I haven’t come across even one of these types who like Cruz. Some I’ve seen don’t really know who he is, but many do and they seem to hold him in scorn (as part of the Christian Right or the Tea Party, which the press has taught them to hate).
The electoral college is, of course, the only thing that really matters in the election, and Trump’s pathway to victory looks a lot clearer and easier than Cruz’s. His populist message of bringing back companies/factories/jobs and stopping illegals from depressing wages and taking jobs is really resonating with blue collar workers, including in the typically Democratic rust belt. I think several states will be in play that we usually don’t win (PA, WI, MN, MI, etc.), and I believe he would be more likely to win in important states we have to win like FL and OH. NH may come back into the Republican fold too with Trump.
Beyond this, though, I just think we are in desperate need for a real overhaul in Washington. Trump has a history of taking control of difficult, screwed up projects and turning them around in record time and under budget. He really knows how to get things done. Cruz is a fine man, but a politician nonetheless. Even if he were to somehow get in, he’ll be firm but still play nice and maybe get a few important changes dealt with here and there—but what we need is someone who will kick butt, twist arms, and get some radical changes made before it’s too late. Teflon Don also knows how to manipulate the press like a master. Finally, voting for Trump is the best way of saying “up yours” to the establishment.
Yours is the best post in this thread, IMHO.
I could not agree more.