With 'interview' process over, one Republican candidate stands out

Augusta Chronicle ^ | Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 | Larry Salomone

[Isara]

I consider my vote for president in 2016 as an end product of an "interview process" that began after the first Republican debate last August. My guest column Dec. 27 showed there are three Republican candidates remaining in my interview process (Donald Trump, and Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz). I can now make the final cuts and select the Republican nominee using my corporate search process.

Regarding Rubio:

Rubio has skipped crucial national security hearings and more than 50 percent of Senate votes, including the omnibus bill that was passed in December. He has a light campaign schedule and a reduced number of staff and field offices. He appears to have chosen interviews on the cable channels and TV and radio ads instead of outworking competitors with a "ground game" in key early-primary states. As of Dec. 20, Rubio had 48 Iowa public events vs. 78 public events for Cruz. Work ethic provides a basis to eliminate Rubio.

MUCH OF MY "interviews" with candidates have been culled from observations from Aiken, S.C., meetings with Trump and Cruz.

Regarding Trump:

- Two Trump supporters warmed up the audience similar to a television show;

- Some seating was pre-assigned for the cameras;

- The audience was warned that protesters would be removed.

- Removing protesters caused six delays.

- Trump talked about himself and his success; stated his feel-good talking points and anecdotes; and pandered for votes.

- The moderator asked pre-screened, registrant questions - no audience questions allowed.

- The event lasted one hour.

- He signed autographs from stage after the rally, without engaging attendees.

Regarding Cruz:

- Cruz, without notes, stated the issues and his plan to resolve the issues. He was funny, friendly and approachable.

- The event lasted two hours.

- He answered all audience questions during and after the meeting.

- He mingled until everyone met him, got an autograph and took a picture with him.

- Also I met Cruz's wife, Heidi. She has a warm personality. I think Heidi would make an excellent first lady.

During the debates, Trump and fellow Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson admitted they would need professional advisers to assist them because of their lack of experience in some areas. In December, key resignations, in-fighting and organizational changes in the Carson campaign demonstrated the risk of voting for inexperienced candidates who use unknown advisers to shape policy.

In 2015, Trump appeared to have spent little of his own money on advertising, relying mainly on daily media coverage. He had one event per day. In Iowa, Trump had 32 events vs. 75 events for Cruz, and in New Hampshire, 22 public events vs. 111 events for candidate Chris Christie (according to NBC's Meet the Press on Dec. 20).

TRUMP SUPPORTS universal health care. He excuses his past financial support for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and such Democrats as Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi and his 2008 reversal on attacking the Clintons as merely using the system and good business. One should not vote for a candidate who separates his principles from his business practices. Trump's political contributions were endorsements and demonstrate what his values are.

Uniting Americans will be difficult because of Trump's outrageous, controversial statements. Trump's shifting policies and lack of details will make it difficult for him to debate Cruz and Clinton.

Also, according to Bradford Richardson of the political newspaper The Hill: "Donald Trump says President Obama's irresponsible use of executive orders has paved the way for him to also use them freely if he wins the presidential race."

For these reasons, Trump should be eliminated.

Having a "ground game" is important to winning the nomination. Cruz has the best grass-roots, nationwide organization among the candidates with more than 160,000 volunteers, 300 pastors and state and county organizers. He is uniting Tea Party conservatives, evangelicals, women, men, young families and Libertarians to form a strong base as he reaches out to bring the conservative message to all Americans regardless of age, race or religion. He is ready for the general election based on his response to The Washington Post's attack of Cruz's children - a strong condemnation and a creative, pro-Hillary lapdog-media cartoon.

I HAVE COMPARED and contrasted the candidates in five columns considering work ethic; character; policies on national security; taxes; immigration; ability to debate Clinton; the "ground game;" and meetings with Cruz and Trump. Cruz is a consistent conservative who can be trusted to do what he promises. Cruz should be the Republican nominee. Take time to meet Cruz, and you will know why he is my selection.

On Feb. 1, the first votes will be cast. The voters should rally quickly around a consistent conservative who can debate Clinton and has the funding and nationwide, grass-roots organization to win the presidency.

[Isara]

"Cruz should be the Republican nominee. Take time to meet Cruz, and you will know why he is my selection."

[Isara]

Also, according to Bradford Richardson of the political newspaper The Hill: "Donald Trump says President Obama's irresponsible use of executive orders has paved the way for him to also use them freely if he wins the presidential race."

[patq]

Well if some guy named Larry Salami is voting for him that seals it for me!

[Isara]

Presidential Candidates Comparison (Cruz vs. Rubio 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

[Red Badger]

Hide the salami................

[libbylu]

Your vote, fine with me. Cruz won’t need it.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I think Larry needs to prepare for disappointment. LOL!

[nikos1121]

Thank you, Larry. How about let’s wait for a couple votes, like Iowa and NH, SC etc? Will that be okay with you? You see, I’m still of the notion that we elect the most conservative candidate that can be elected. You speak about things that are nebulous and based in thin air.

I’m of the opinion that Trump might be able to bring in crossover votes. I’m of the opinion that a lot of people will not vote for Cruz.

BUT THEN AGAIN, I DON’T KNOW. SO HOW ABOUT WE SHUT UP AND SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE IN IOWA AND NH SAY before we run off half cocked with your goofy analysis?

[Ted Grant]

The author left out the last part: Cruz wins about 150 elector votes and is conceding by 11pm eastern time on election night.

[Pravious]

Hey! Look! I only choose my candidates by brightly colored dots! How about you?

[stylin19a]

Isn’t that what OBama basically said about Bush’s use of EOs ?

[Oatka]

Looks like the Free Market would be in trouble with any of ‘em.

[Alas Babylon!]

How is it even possible to “interview” Trump at one of his rallies, when he has tens of thousands attending? I could see being able to actually talk to Ted Cruz or even his wife, because there are far fewer “fan boys” there.

And yes, I think a huge number of people who go to see Trump are Fan boys or celebrity lovers, not those interested in politics.

I’m not trying to pump up or denigrate Trump or Cruz, but the so-called interview process seems dumb to me.

I would think the best interviews would be with Jim Gilmore, because the interviewer would be the ONLY one there!

[Parley Baer]

“Cruz, without notes,”

No bias there. I did not know that Trump read from notes. That tells me all I need to know about this clown.

[Talisker]

Cruz would be a better President. But I still don’t think he can beat Hillary the general election.

And, the main problem in America is the borders.

Main. Problem.

[ex-snook]

Free Market - you meant deal market between the rich.

[biff]

Donnie Trump is to republicans as the WWF is to the average American tv viewer.

Trump is a smack in your face kind of guy. He does not care about anybody but himself. He will never issue an apology to anybody for anything regardless how idiotic or insulting his statements are. His command of the English language is equivalent to a 6th grader as is his mental thought process. An encyclopedia could be written about his psychological make up. I suspect he was either abused or neglected as a child, hence his petulant manner and treatment of others.

America will regret electing just another narcissist that has the gift of gab, a master of deceit, a magician and by far the biggest bully to ever come down the pike in politics.

[elteemike]

“One should not vote for a candidate who separates his principles from his business practices.”

I agree—In my experience, a man’s business practices ARE his principles...There’s no separating the two...

Personal expediency is not an excuse...But it’s a pretty bold red flag for me...

[GrouchoTex]

I think there are 3 tenets of conservatism that stand out for me.
Social issues
National Security
Fiscal issues

No candidate is 100% correct on all.

Rubio’s gang of 8 knocks him out on all 3 accounts, IMO.
Trump is not so good on the social issues, but he is on the other 2.
This leaves Cruz, who seems to be the strongest on covering all 3.
Maybe not perfectly, but the best over all.
I will most likely support Cruz when the SEC primary comes. But that is 6 weeks away. A lot can change.

[GrouchoTex]

I disagree, Hillary is a weak candidate and any of the top 3 now left can beat her.