Posted on 01/29/2016 12:51:37 PM PST by Red Steel
Just three days before the Iowa caucuses, longtime Republican Gov. Terry Branstad ripped into Ted Cruz - mocking him for his Thursday night debate performance and asserting that his prospects in the state are dimming.
"Ted Cruz was ahead in Iowa, but as people have figured out his stance on issues that are important to the economy of the state" he's lost support, Branstad said during a Friday morning taping of CSPAN's "Newsmakers," pointing specifically to Cruz's opposition to ethanol subsidies - an issue of central importance to Iowans. "He was ahead on polls, but now he's dropped below Trump."
The interview, which is set to air on Sunday, was conducted by reporters from POLITICO and the Washington Post.
Branstad's remarks followed a debate that saw Cruz come under attack from several of his rivals, and one in which he faced aggressive questioning over his consistency on immigration reform.
"It was a poor performance on his part," Branstad said, noting that Cruz had been booed during the debate while sparring with a moderator. Other candidates onstage, the governor said, performed better.
Branstad, the longest-serving governor in American history, has faced off against Cruz in recent days. After the Iowan called for Cruz's defeat last week, Cruz pushed back - labeling the governor part of the Washington insider class that has lined up against him.
Asked about that remark, Branstad fired back.
"I think he obviously doesn't know me. He doesn't understand that I'm governor of the state of Iowa, and that I have chosen time and again not to run for national office."
The governor said that he would support Cruz if he were to win the Republican Party nomination, but said he felt it was important to "inform" Iowans of Cruz's position on ethanol.
Branstad, in contrast, had flattering words for Donald Trump, who is in a neck-and-neck race with Cruz in the state. He noted that during his 2014 reelection campaign, a Republican Governors Association-sponsored fundraising event benefiting him was held on a Trump golf course.
"Donald Trump is a very interesting and unconventional candidate," Branstad said. He declined to criticize the billionaire for skipping the debate, saying only that, "I wouldn't have advised it."
Branstad wouldn't go so far as to predict a Trump victory on Monday, calling the race unpredictable and noting that many Iowans - including himself - had yet to make up their minds as to whom to support.
So, let me get this straight.
You are for Trump but you think Cruz will win by 11?
Am I reading your post correct?
BTW, if Trump loses Iowa, it won’t be the end of the world.
No I’m not for Trump and I don’t mind that you are not for Cruz. But I think we are both FReepers who would like to stop America from going off the cliff.
Just another corrupt crony capitalist who wants the government to seize your money and redirect it to his state.
It's my hope/guess based on the evangelical vote/turnout from previous Iowa caucuses.
My hope/guess for the Super Bowl is Carolina by 21.
If Cruz is the nominee, I will gladly vote for him.
Don’t think he is a leader. He is a follower.
He had the opportunity to break out last night but got his clock
cleaned by MK.
Hurt himself more than he helped himself.
I thought the election in 2012 and 2014 was supposed to stop that?
Ted Cruz and the Tea Party were voted into office to stop corrupt crony capitalists like Branstad and Trump from continuing to do business as usual. Cruz is sticking to his promises which is why anyone who ever supported the Tea Party needs to stick with Cruz.
Trump operative. Of course he is going to say that.
Likes Shumer as well. I would not be surprised if Reid stuck around.
Isn’t he beyond five terms now?
me too. Instead we got Ryan and McConnell
Crony capitalism.
Trump and Braindead.
Buying votes and political favors with taxpayer dollars since 1980.
I have a fairly unique personal perspective on all of this.
I met Senator Cruz very briefly in 2014, when I was the only guy running against Branstad in the GOP primary.
I told him who I was and what I was trying to accomplish, but he blew me off.
I too oppose all crony capitalistic subsidies and mandates, for ethanol or anything else.
Perhaps the Senator should have given me more assistance than a cold, “good luck”? I’m just saying.
Agree. But Trump Mania has taken over FR.
Disclosure : I was glad to see Trump dump Me Gyn.
Am wondering if Cruz should have done the same...
I don’t like ethanol subsidies, or Trump supporting them.
At the same time, I still support him.
Because I’m not looking for immaculate perfection; I’m looking for results.
Trump has delivered amazing results before a single vote has even been cast.
Cruz... not so much. His comments last night were... unpleasant. Not because they were against Trump, but because they were obsessed with Trump. They were the actions of a victim agreeing to attack someone else because they didn’t want the bully to beat them up. Whether that was the intent or not, that’s how they played out to a lot of people.
It seems that Cruz has been defined not as conservative, but instead as not-Trump, and as long as he is defined by another candidate instead of himself... well, what do you expect?
Cruz had a chance to unchain himself from that perception last night. He didn’t.
Ramble over.
Iowa is just an appetizer - the entrée is yet to be served.
In 2012, Rick Santorum won Iowa with 25% support. In 1996, Pat Buchanan won New Hampshire with 27%. (Neither candidate went on to win the nomination
Not a chance. Cruz has a far superior ground game than any of the other candidates. When Cruz beats Trump on Monday you will see the mother of all tweet storms develop...they will probably have to pry Donald away from his keyboard and put him in a padded cell that looks like the Oval Office just to calm him down.
I agree with you. However, it was predicted that Cruz would be the target since Trump was not there. You know they were aware of that. Maybe Trump does know what he is doing.
Hope Lasts until the Texas primary.
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