[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

In a battle between them, I’m for Cruz.

[SharpRightTurn]

This is not one of Trump’s better moves.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

As for the issue at hand, Trump can claim to be above everyone else because he accepts no donations, but all he is saying is that he is out for himself. That is no better if one lacks character. Corrupt is corrupt. Bad character is bad character. Like guns. It is not about the THING; it’s about the person.

Beyond that I don’t really choose to participate in an ugly fight. If Trump engages, one, I’ll defend Cruz.

[Moorings]

Well, I for one am glad that he did not call Cruz "pathetic" or "disgusting" or a "loser". Even better, he did not compare him to a child molester or anything.

Maybe that will come later.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Cruz isn't in the pockets of "Big Oil", and even if he was, who cares?

It is idiotic economic and social policy to support burning food for fuel. It's the epitome of cronyism, malinvestment, and inefficient government. Trump of all people should realize this.

[Hoodat]

Sounds like the ethanol lobby dictates Trump’s policies.

[Colonel_Flagg]

I’m more concerned about who the candidates’ money goes to.

After campaign donations to 23 Democrats including Hillary Clinton and Rahm Emanuel, I wonder who influences Donald “Single-Payer Health Care” Trump?

Who knows? If you donate to that many Democrats, your principles are for sale.

[conservative98]

Cruz is bought and paid for by his donors and apparently crony Big Oil is one of the biggest.

[TBP]

Nobody dictates Cruz’s policies. Ted’s positions are dictated only by his fealty to the Constitution.

The fact that Cruz refuses to attack Trump not only galls the mainstream media, it annoys the heck out of Trump. He’s in a tizzy. So he is trying to goad Ted into attacking him, which isn’t going to happen.

[mac_truck]

Cruz is a Texas Senator, he’d better be on the Big Oil payroll.

[DrewsDad]

Trump is pandering to the Iowa Ethanol Subsidy crowd.

From TedCruz.org

"It is blatantly false to suggest that Sen. Cruz wants to end the Renewable Fuel Standard while maintaining subsidies for oil," Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler said. "Cruz has repeatedly stated that he would end all energy specific subsidies, both ethanol and oil among others."

Earlier this year in a speech delivered at Heritage Action in Washington, D.C., Cruz said, "Big government energy mandates don't stop with ethanol. There are tax credits for almost every form of energy. Each designed to give one industry a leg up over the other."

[StoneWall Brigade]

Things just got interesting wouldn’t you agree?

[Isara]

Presidential Candidates Comparison (Cruz vs. Trump)

Please click on the pictures at the top of the columns for more details on the ratings of the candidates.

Budget, Spending & Debt
Civil Liberties
Education
Energy & Environment
Foreign Policy & Defense
Free Market
Health Care & Entitlements
Immigration
Moral Issues
Second Amendment
Taxes, Economy & Trade

More at Conservative Review: https://www.conservativereview.com/2016-presidential-candidates

Note: If you don't like the ratings for any reason, please contact Conservative Review's Editor-in-Chief, "The Great One," Mark Levin. But I have to warn you that you may get this response from him: "GET OFF THE PHONE, YOU BIG DOPE!"

[Isara]

Trump supported TARP, auto bailout and Porkulus bill, i.e., Trump is for big government and big businesses. And, he is for Renewable Fuel Standard.

Trump's Record on Free-market Issue: (from the Conservative Review)

Trump has a terrible record on free market issues. The only bright spot is the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing, but this glimmer is countermanded by his repeated support for bailing out Wall Street and the auto industry, and increased stimulus spending. Of particular concern is Trump's belief that the government can use eminent domain powers to seize private property in the name of private economic development. This comes as no surprise, given his support for using eminent domain to profit his own company.

Trump supported the Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in Kelo v. City of London, allowing public authorities to seize private land for economic development by private investors; Trump said, “I happen to agree with [the decision] 100 percent.” (National Review)  This is no surprise given Trump’s attempt to use eminent domain in his own line of work. (Institute for Justice)

Trump supported President Obama’s 2009 stimulus, saying: “The word stimulus is probably not used in its fullest…you know, certain of the things that were given weren't really stimulus. They were pork, as we call it, or they were gifts to certain people. But overall, I think he's [President Obama] doing very well. You do need stimulus and you do have to keep the banks alive.” (CNN) 

Trump supported TARP, saying, "You had to do something to shore up the banks, because ... you would have had a run on every bank." (CNN) 

Trump supported the 2008 auto bailout, saying, “I think the government should stand behind them 100 percent. You cannot lose the auto companies. They’re great. They make wonderful products.” He also said that the federal government could “easily save the companies.” (Daily Caller) 

Trump criticized the Federal Reserve’s intervention in the debt market, saying quantitative easing creates “phony numbers” that mislead the marketplace and “will not ultimately benefit the economy. The dollar will go down in value and inflation will start rearing its ugly head.” (CNBC) 

Donald Trump has a history of using eminent domain to complete business deals. Multiple times Trump has supported the use of government agencies to take possession of homes and businesses for use in his private business plans. Eminent domain seizures are reserved only for public use of property rather than abuse by the government taking property from one individual and giving to another. (Washington Post) 

Donald Trump has sought and received crony capitalist tax breaks for his commercial properties in New York. These tax breaks, and even an abatement, force the property taxes of other property owners to rise at the expense of the connected. Special treatment for one business or industry over another with the tax code conflicts with free market principles. (National Review) 

In 2009, Trump supported Barack Obama's call for limits on the pay of executives. (CNN)

[SmokingJoe]

“If Ted Cruz is against ethanol, how does he win in Iowa,” Trump asked.

He wins by not pandering and by sticking to his principles even if it would cost him votes. And it's working. I know. It's just a little bit over Donald Trump's head.

[dead]

Trump is in the pocket of a leftwing NYC real estate billionaire.

[WENDLE]

Great zinger!! Don’t say “ Trump in fading” Ted!! Not smart. Cruz sent Trump an apology tweet tonight— Very smart!!

[American Constitutionalist]

Donald Trump how much of a cut you get from promoting Ethanol and how you to help persuade congress to pass Ethanol subsidies ?

[MuttTheHoople]

I’d rather have a tool of Big Oil, than a tool of Big Islam.

[American Constitutionalist]

Typical liberals response : EVIL OIL...

So Trump fans ? Your against oil ?

You know, the very engine that runs our economy.

We thought you guys were for jobs.

So TRUMP thinks oil is evil ?

EVIL I TELL YA ! OIL IS EVILLL ! sarcasm..

So when is there going to be a Trump ban on evil oil now ?