Posted on 01/10/2016 6:42:48 PM PST by VinL
Donald Trump's questions about Ted Cruz's citizenship may not be helping him in Iowa. In fact, they may be boosting his rival according to one group of Hawkeye State voters.
In his latest focus group, pollster Frank Luntz asked if the fact that Cruz was born in Canada, to an American mother, raised legitimate concerns about his eligibility for president, as Trump has suggested. Only six of 27 participants raised their hands, even though seven identified Trump as their first-choice candidate.
One participant said the issue exposes Trump as "unserious," while another called it a "joke."
"Just a few months ago, he said his strongest lawyers said it's a settled issue and Cruz is eligible," one participant said. "Now three months later, when Cruz overtakes him in the polls, he says the exact opposite⦠It's not a serious issue at all."
The focus group expressed admiration for Cruz's handling of the situation, one member specifically calling his "Jump the Shark" tweet response to Trump "awesome."
âHe's making a joke of this whole thing because that's what it is," one participant said.
"It's Ted Cruz. Rather than fight it and do something negative, he came back and found something positive and humorous,â another added.
But some focus group members said they thought the issue could be legitimate.
"We are nation of laws. And it was important the last time around, with the current president, if you donât qualify you donât qualify," a participant said, citing questions Trump raised about President Obama's birth, which were proven false.
"There are certain requirements to be president, and I donât care who it is, they have to prove that they are eligible to become president," another participant added.
The focus group, conducted by Luntz and Google in Des Moines, was made up of likely GOP caucusgoers with a mix of first choice candidates: eight supporting Cruz, seven for Trump, four for Marc Rubio, three for Ben Carson, two for Chris Christie, and one each for Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina and John Kasich.
Trump did get some positive reaction to his new television ad, featuring his stances on banning Muslims from entering the U.S. and building a border wall with Mexico.
"He's spot on. The things he talked about in that ad is whatâs affecting America right now â illegal immigration and ISIS,â one participant said.
But when Luntz asked the focus group whether they think Trump is going to win the Iowa caucuses, only two participants raised their hands.
I care that trump is pulling this nonsense for a number of days now. and I’m from NYC.
I wont vote for someone without integrity.
I wish he would start showing some, even a little.
he said JUST three months ago his lawyers looked at it and it wasn’t an issue.
he lies and flips and it worries me.
Hilarious! There is a wealth of real talent on FR.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again,
CRUZ is TOTALLY ELIGIBLE
and
TRUMP is MAKING A YUGE MISTAKE TO HARP ON THIS ISSUE.
bump
A small state and easy to manipulate.
PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN TO PING THE FEATURED FReepers.
Good on you, Onyx.
I support Cruz, but never bashed Trump— until now.
Cruz is a true conservative patriot— I fully understand why many on FR favor Trump, that’s fine-— but Cruz has always been on our side, he shouldn’t be treated like pond scum. Beat him on the issues- fair and square.
I think Trump isn't trying to take votes from Cruz, rather he is trying to reach new voters.
Or Dubya, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. Oh, wait....
If Americans cared what Iowans have to say, we’d have had GOP presidential nominees Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum.
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Well, THIS time, they cared enough to send ScottWalker into early (and prudent) retreat.
Not only did TRUMP JUMP-THE-SHARK, he has foolishly tried to continuously romance it. He’s merely displaying his true underlying character and beliefs—AND THEY ARE NOT WITH CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVES.
The degree to which Trump sounds “desperate” to a Cruzbot is directly proportional to how high a pitch Levin makes, as froth flows out his mouth and nose, when he screams that Trump is “desperate.”
Trump is embarrassing himself. Does anyone think he’s qualified to appoint Supreme Court justices?
Prof. Larry Tribe says its not a stupid question, never been tested.
All that needs be done is ask for a court to decide and give a summary judgement.
If Cruz doesn’t do it the Dems will just see him in court and this will drag on.
1 out of 27 could sway election.
Thank you onyx!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank Luntz -lol:-)
Who cares? The Rats will come after any Republican candidate - with both barrels. So why don't we nominate the most conservative candidate we can?
If Cruz doesn't do it the Dems will just see him in court and this will drag on
If that's the 'smart' option then why didn't the Democrats do it when their guy's eligibility was in question? And why did they fight every attempt by the GOP to get a court ruling? Would Trump stake his presently unquestioned eligibility against the possibility he might draw a pro-Hillary judge who'd invent some bogus reason he wasn't eligible? You don't risk a court decision if you can win without it.
I wouldn’t worry about what the “Trumpbots” think, I would worry about what the Democrat Party has in store for Cruz.
They have already said they will file suit should Cruz become the Nominee, so whatever Trump says about this means absolutely nothing. Tempest in a Teapot, nothing more.
One thing Trump is doing is sounding the alarm, like it or not. Let’s hope the Republican Party is ready to fight the Democrat and Liberal Media Machine when this gets Litigated.
Is everyone here 100% comfortable in the fact that this will not be an issue for Cruz and the Republican Party?
There are a whole bunch of Liberal Judges out there salivating to get in on this action. Don’t doubt me.
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