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.
If anyone could lose to the two dem losers, it would be the Trump.
You haven’t noticed the voter fraud? It’s doubtful whether either Clinton or Obama would have won without it. And on this issue, the DNC and GOPe are in agreement and likely to work together.
Why doesn’t anybody comment on the content of the article?
Is just saying Red State all you got.
Must...get...that...cap!
Money can’t buy happiness but it can make Donald Trump look like a handsome guy to the ladies.
Thank you. A voice of sanity is always welcome.
When did Free Republic become Trumpville?
And why?
No one can tell me why.
There is every reason to believe that Cruz will turn out 35K for certain. That is probably a low number. The rest depends on Trump’s turnout. Trump might have a good idea of how many supporters he has identified. Trump can win, but Cruz already has a good idea of how many votes he will get.
FYI-Huckabee had 41K votes in 2008. That was a record.
I’m wondering what the loss in viewership will be and the resulting advertising losses?
Between O’Reilly and Trump, who is the meat puppet and who is the Lucky Pineapple? My vote is Mr O as the meat puppet.
I don’t think it will be much of a loss. Who watches those debates anyway?
Well, I do and I will watch this one with even more interest.
It will be interesting to see if viewership goes down.
I hate to ask but what do you mean by the term ‘meat puppet?’
We all live in the FR Bubble.
Sometimes it’s like Preaching to the Choir in a Church full of empty Pews.
OAN is covering the Trump Veteran Event tomorrow night and they never break for Commercials.
Don’t know how they do it, but they are Privately owned and it shows in their real Fair and Balanced Politics, although it seems obvious that their needle points to the Right.
They are becoming the Fox News of Faux News and their version of Megyn Kelly is a real Hottie. LOL.
People in this bubble would be amazed at what the outside world thinks of their Donald.
Not true. I’m on a couple sites with people from Europe and the people I’ve talked to see him as an eventual savior for them. He’s got fans all over the world. Check out my profile, I’ve been to over 45 countries.
Interesting but I wasn’t talking about people on sites.
I was talking about people who don’t go on sites.
No group of people would be angrier than the most patriotic. Thus, the one who portrays that anger will draw those patriots. Trump has a bad temper. Loud and vocalizing the anger vocalized here. Especially after being betrayed over and over.
IMHO. Blind rage? LOL I like Cruz and for some reason am not angry. Disgusted, fearful of God’s wrath (not Trump’s), and praying for a spiritual revival to delay God’s judgment but the revival will have to be worldwide because the world is doing the same abominations America has been doing.
I am pleased to learn that...thanks.
Erickson’s wankers..
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