[cripplecreek]

I’m a maniac for Cruz.

[HomerBohn]

I think America needs both....on the same ticket!

Congress desperately needs a bully to shove them around, kick asses, take names and give the cold shoulder to the leftist media.

Trump needs Cruz to make certain that what’s necessary needs to be done.

[9YearLurker]

All Trump did is reflect back the “judgment” accusation that Cruz made against him.

The potential problem for Cruz is that he chose to criticize Trump with something that Cruz himself is vulnerable on.

[joesbucks]

Cruz, who is making a strong run in Republican presidential primary polling, has done everything he can to put off an inevitable showdown with frontrunner Donald Trump. The reluctance is understandable – Trump’s attacks on other candidates in the race have been devastatingly effective. To avoid them, Cruz has refused to seriously confront some of the billionaire’s most outrageous statements, and he has repeatedly said how glad he is to have Trump in the race. Late last week though, the mask slipped ever so slightly. In a closed-door meeting with supporters last week, according to a recording obtained by The New York Times, Cruz suggested that voters might be concerned Trump doesn’t have the “judgment” necessary to be in charge of nuclear weapons. Further, he said that his repeated praise of Trump has been calculated to assure that when the former reality television star falters, he will collect “the lions share” of trump voters. Cruz at first tried to cast doubt on the accuracy of The Times story, but when the audio was released, he could no longer deny it. Instead, he took to social media to proclaim that he doesn’t want to fight with Trump, whom he referred to as “terrific.”

Is it true that Cruz tried to weasel away from his statements only to have them produced?

[onyx]

NO DIVIDE AND CONQUER GAMES!

[olezip]

To avoid them, Cruz has refused to seriously confront some of the billionaire’s most outrageous statements, and he has repeatedly said how glad he is to have Trump in the race.

I question the word "outrageous" in this sentence. Maybe Cruz is too much of a statesman to blindly criticize Trump. There are zero "outrageous" statements by Trump; only what the media wants you to think about what he says.

Trump's statements reflect the concerns of the majority of Americans.

[Guenevere]

Trump says what he thinks ....out front!

Cruz said disparaging words about Trump behind Trump’s back, and that rankled.
Cruz has lost Trump’s respect and trust, IMO.

[iontheball]

Fascinating. Trump is honing in on Cruz’s main vulnerability - his stiffness of personality coupled with his extreme intelligence. These should not be crippling, but in today’s world where many vote are won on personality and popularity, Cruz has a problem.. While Trump’s conservatism will never match Cruz’s, he far surpasses Cruz on popularity and possess a more winnable magnetic personality than Cruz. Always keep in mind, it is the national election that must be won, not just the Republican primary.

[usafa92]

Sundance doing more good work this weekend.

http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2015/12/13/ted-cruz-campaign-head-credits-psychological-operations-as-primary-source-of-voter-support/

[elhombrelibre]

Trump would make more sense if he’d criticize Cruz’s hair. That’d be more in keeping with his lack of self-awareness about the irony of his attacks on Cruz.

[Fhios]

I think the comment “nobody likes you” is a good and above the belt shot, as is Cruz’es “right temperament” comment.

Trumps should be putting out feelers to members involved in house and senate races, seeing if he can convince them his coat tails will be long and broad ... even if he has to go outside the party and gin up tea party candidates to run against establishment candidates. He needs to show the GOPe that if they broker him out of the convention they may be brokering the Senate out as well.

Something like that. He needs to put pressure on Rank and File house and Senate members up for re-election or are challenging an entrenched incumbent.

Trump has no PAC, but I’m pretty sure his word is gold in some quarters and if he helps direct campaign contributions to his supporters running for house and senate seats it will help him too. A rising tide lifts all boats.

[ScottinVA]

Cruz doesn’t need to throat-punch Trump.. yet. Ted will apply exactly the right response... at a time, venue and method of his choosing.

[Dr. Sivana]

Both are galaxies more likeable than hrc.

[Sans-Culotte]

Curious that the audio was leaked from a closed meeting of supporters. Either someone was a mole, or Cruz wanted it leaked.

[Mr. K]

The fact that most in The Senate don’t like Cruz is a MAJOR SELLING POINT

I don’t like most of THEM...

[Servant of the Cross]

"Trump is like a heat-seeking missile for the other candidate's fatal flaw." We'll see how many hits Cruz can tolerate.

I tend to think that Trump has gone to the well way too often. Now, in addition to Ted Cruz, he has attacked Bibi Netanyahu and Antonin Scalia. And without any real provocation. Oh, and ... he pandered to Iowa corn farmers by promising more government bailouts (subsidies).

I think Trump has jumped the shark. And for a guy, who's negative rating (-30%) is as high as his positive ratings (and it' gonna climb after this), to say that nobody likes Ted Cruz is laughable.

[kalee]

I like Cruz and will be voting for him.

[subterfuge]

“Temperament” is not a qualification Donald.

[Graybeard58]

“Do you notice he said it behind my back?” Trump began. “Look, I don’t think he’s qualified to be president, because I don’t think he has the right temperament. I don’t think he’s got the right judgment.”

***************************************************************

That statement by Trump ought to slow down all the “Trump/Cruz ticket” posters..................but it won’t.

How could Trump ever ask Cruz to join him on the ticket when he just said, “I don’t think he’s qualified”?

[nclaurel]

I like both Trump and Cruz and could vote for either over any other candidate. It baffles me that people are surprised that they eventually will clash- they are both running for ONE position. And that the bulk of senators don’t like Cruz is a compliment the same as that RINO and liberals hate them both.