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.
I feel for you. I hope we both enjoy the game. It will be a nice break.
Whether he wins or loses I hope he get to send his message for a long time in this process. I believe we’ll get what we deserve.
I think the illegal invasion is a consequence of deeper social and economic problems. God’s playing chess and we’re playing with ourselves.
A lot of churches years ago started cancelling Sunday eveing services to accommodate the Super Bowl. In time, most cancelled them year-round too. Sports is the religion of the people.
That is EXACTLY why we are in this mess! Just like ancient Rome: “Give us bread and circuses!”
There is litigation regarding Trump U.
Some folks were defrauded 35K and the NY attorney general got involved.
I would like to see Trump settle the cases, but he does not want to be known as a ‘settler’.
The troubling thing for me is ‘students’ were promised a picture with Trump and they got a picture with a card board cut out.
The study materials were not written by Trump, just standard stuff on how to flip real estate -— ‘with no money down’
I like Trump over Hillary or Sanders , but realize we are throwing out constitution principles to slay the old dragons.
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