Posted on 01/27/2016 6:35:46 PM PST by Isara
Donald Trump knows that whether or not he attends the Fox News Iowa debate, he’s probably going to lose the state. He knows this because he’s proven to be a master at campaign strategy, albeit an unconventional one. Most of us expected his early missteps to be indicators that he would fade or implode. What we didn’t realize is that he wasn’t playing the standard campaign game. He brought a new level of campaigning to the table that he’s been crafting for over a decade and that he’s been mastering in business his whole life.
He stepped into the boxing ring against several experienced boxers and he unleashed some jujitsu on them. They never saw it coming. In a way, we may be witnessing the most amazing long game confidence trick in the history of man, something that may become a permanent part of the history books akin to Alexander The Great’s rise and fall… but I digress.
Those who would argue against this theory will say that the polls show him up. The reality that only Trump’s campaign fully knows is that they have a minuscule ground game compared to Cruz, a passionate (online) but lazy (in the real world) voter base that won’t be caucusing much Monday night, and an artificially inflated social media presence with “meatpuppets” trolling Facebook and the comments sections of certain websites (thankfully not here).
It may sound like a very reckless play, but think about it. Even better, try to think about it from Trump’s perspective. Would he rather lose Iowa and have to seem weak by making excuses or lose Iowa with a tangible reason that he can echo with his whining about everything being unfairly stacked against him? Remember, he has very little that he can gain from a debate containing substance and this debate will likely focus more on substantive issues than any of the previous debates. He’s good when the topics are fighting ISIS or sealing the border but he fails when they ask him tough question such as how to fix the nuclear triad.
If he wins Iowa without the debate, he’s in the strongest possible position to win the nomination. If he loses but has the Fox News asterisk to place next to his defeat, he’ll attempt to turn that into momentum for New Hampshire and beyond. This cannot be allowed to play out as he has planned. People must be made aware of what he’s going to do so they can see it unfold with discernment. Otherwise, they’ll risk hearing his Pied Piper call.
I’m resigned to Trump losing
Ted’s folks are resigned to Ted winning.
Whatever happens, I’m ok with it.
If Ted loses, OMG it’s going to be brutal for some people.
They’ve been hanging their hat on Iowa for nearly eight months now.
Stand back folks. She’s gonna blow!
You speak into a very small group now. Have a great debate with the Mirror!!
Doesn’t matter. Iowa does same day voter registration as well as changes of party affiliation. Any Iowan who gets a hair to vote in the caucus can.
Does not have his board of directors to blame for this one.
Maybe he can do as his mentor Obama does, blame it on Bush.
Who funds RedState, I wonder.
The ‘news’ should never be the news.
All the CNN commentators tonight are agreeing with Trump. Bizarre.
This move will pick up a lot of independent votes and Democrats (blacks and union voters) for Trump.
Trump is already looking at the general election. This establishes him as independent and not in the establishment Republican corner.
He thinks he's a lion but really he's a ...
That's what is kind of funny - the argument over who "wins" is more about bragging rights and "momentum". In actuality, the difference in the number of delegates between Cruz and Trump will be 1-2 delegates at the most, no matter who is 1st and who is 2nd.
This is like Jeb’s ad featuring Hillary.
What we have here is a failure to communicate!!!
LOL, FR is definitely not a reflection of the world outside of it. Were it, we’d be talking about VP Palin’s campaign.
Won't Trump feel foolish when he wins Iowa by a large margin. /s
Here is a $10 donation to FR. Trump wins. If you will bet $10 on cruz in Iowa— seek ye the promise land. Honor system.
Another angle, another hit piece. You have to admire their creativity.
That was Red State’s fantasy.
Reality: Red State is throwing a tantrum because Donald Trump deftly avoided an obvious trap set for him and turned it into a no-lose scenario for him.
If it was Cruz pulling this, Red State would be falling all over themselves calling him wise and courageous.
But instead, Cruz is all, ‘Thank you sir; may I have another?’ And this timid obedience to the media is somehow braver than telling them to stuff it.
TRUMP’s blocks and tackles are rolling thunder. This pummeling has caused not only great butt hurt, but has lead to mental gymnastic performances that are fast becoming the stuff of cartoons.
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