Posted on 01/09/2016 3:03:08 PM PST by TBBT
OTTUMWA, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump escalated his criticism of GOP rival Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) here in Iowa Saturday, painting him as a political follower beholden to pro-oil special interests and the donor class.
Trump’s strategy: to raise further questions about Cruz’s stance on ethanol— an important industry for voters in the Hawkeye State — in the final weeks before the Feb. 1 caucuses. Cruz has faced renewed scrutiny over his opposition to the 2005 Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires gasoline to be blended with amounts of corn ethanol and is set to expire in 2022.
“As you know, my primary opponent in Iowa — only in Iowa, because Ted actually isn’t do very well in New Hampshire, but in Iowa he’s doing well — was totally opposed to ethanol and the ethanol industry because he’s with the oil industry. He’s from Texas, I guess that makes sense,†Trump said.
The real estate mogul’s criticism comes amid an escalating battle between the two candidates for the top spot in polls of Iowa voters. A Fox News survey of Iowa voters had Cruz leading Trump among likely GOP caucusgoers, 27 percent to 23 percent.
[‘When Ethanol Attacks,’ starring Ted Cruz.]
While touting his own support for the industry, Trump said he believes Cruz’s position on ethanol has undergone “a very big change.†Cruz has faced scrutiny in recent days for his one-time opposition to the RFS; he has softened his position in recent years, instead calling for legislation that would gradually phase out the requirement.
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You know Rush says he's played a few rounds with the Donald, so therefore he knows him. Don't worry Rush says - Donald isn't a liberal. Trust me Rush says.
So when the time comes for Trump to confront Cruz, where does Trump come at him from? What was the Donald's first instincts? To come at Cruz from the left. When this first happened Rush et. al. let into Trump with a warning not to go there.
But here we are today. First Trump lit the fire of Birther II. Next, it's hitting Cruz for being anti-ethanol (the reality of Cruz's stance is a 5 year phase out of the RFS).
Sure the Donald is entertaining...
However, I doubt this guy has any core convictions or principles. Donald is out for Donald and what garners Donald more popularity, fame, and what I used to think - improves his brand. But now I don't think it has anything to do with good business. I think it's simply just pathological.
They are running for President. If they don’t want to engage, don’t run. If you don’t like to get criticized, even if it is BS, don’t run.
This IMHO is largely a feigned feud for ‘rat consumption. I think they are both part of a winning plan..
Trump is making a mistake when he takes this tack. It makes him look unprincipled. Which he is.
... However, I doubt this guy has any core convictions or principles. Donald is out for Donald and what garners Donald more popularity, fame, and what I used to think - improves his brand. But now I don’t think it has anything to do with good business. I think it’s simply just pathological.
BRAVO. You are dead on. He has more in common with Bambi than a republican much less conservative. He knows how to sell himself and he has. Been saying since fall if his mouth didn’t take him out our friend Teddy would.
“He’s about it for me. I’ve never been to one of these before but I really like his ideas,” said Michelle Turner, 44, of Ottumwa. But when asked if she intended to caucus, her answer was direct: “No, nuh-uh.”
Trump needs to come up with some real issues. He is beginning to sound nutty.
It is one thing to engage, but what Trump is doing is lying out his a$$. Cruz proposed legislation in 2014 for a 5 year phase out of ethanol and that is still his position today.
The Donald is playing to a base that consists mainly of former Democrats. Unfortunately he has no concern for basic Republican principles. He likes big government. He just thinks you need to run it better.
Trump is flinging poo hoping that something will stick. Makes him look like a wackadoodle.
I already knew Trump was a grifter.
Now I can add sleazeball to the list.
You can trust Trump. He's not like the others.
Wow...flip-flopping is a subject Trump should avoid as it opens HIM up to new avenues of attack. Just as Hillary’s accusations of sexism opens her (and her Bubba attacks on the women who her husband raped) up to attacks along those lines.
By the way, Cruz HAS favored phasing out the Ethanol subsidies over 5 years and he CONTINUES to favor phasing them out over 5 years. For those of you “from Rio LInda”, ‘phase out’ means end.
Cruz dumping on Trump's wealth and plane rides home was the touchstone. Cruz started it, but Trump will carry it from here on out. Wow! I just heard Trump mention Cruz by name again. Yep! Cruz should have avoided whacking Trump about his plane and flying home to be with his family.
Well who would know more about flip-flopping than Donald Trump?
I am agnostic on this. I honestly think that Trump should hit him with everything he has (between the two as it stands, Cruz would get my vote). If Cruz can’t weather this or fight back then he doesn’t deserve to win.
The Democraps and media will not be taking it easy on him. Weather the storm and fight the headwinds or quit. Become stronger or fade. These are the times that try men’s souls.
How does Trump take out his opponents?
By ridicule and innuendo.
Why doesn't he challenge their ideas?
Because he can't.
Has anyone heard him make a coherent case for... anything?
All he does is sloganeer.
BINGO
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