Posted on 02/11/2016 7:57:59 AM PST by SeekAndFind
You can read his extended comments at his website. A Twitter pal tagged me this afternoon after Rush said this and claimed that he’d just endorsed Cruz; Redditors are interpreting it the same way. It does seem to follow logically that the biggest name in conservative talk radio, who’s been preaching Reagan conservatism to millions for 30 years, is dropping an endorsement when he calls a candidate the next best thing to Reagan himself. (Rush quasi-endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2008 primary in a similar way, complimenting him as the only Republican candidate who represented all three legs of the conservative stool.) But I assume Rush himself will deny that tomorrow, partly because he doesn’t formally endorse candidates in primaries and partly because of the noteworthy caveat he drops here:
They were going left as fast as Deion Sanders can backpedal. They were moving left faster than anybody I’ve ever seen go left. And I opened the program yesterday saying, “You will never, ever have to worry about that with Ted Cruz.” And then I expanded on it. And let me say one thing: If conservatism is your bag, if conservatism is the dominating factor in how you vote, there is no other choice for you in this campaign than Ted Cruz, because you are exactly right: This is the closest in our lifetimes we have ever been to Ronald Reagan.
In terms of doctrinaire, understandable, articulated, implementable conservatism, there’s nobody closer. But I think the electorate at this point in time… We don’t know, Brian. If you look at Trump’s coalition, there’s a lot of assumptions being made about it, because he’s running as a Republican and in the Republican primary, and it’s assumed the Republican base is who’s voting here. Therefore, it’s assumed the majority of Trump’s coalition’s conservatives. And there are a lot.
But he’s broad. He’s all over the spectrum.
That’s the last eight months of Trumpmania and talk radio synthesized in one bit of audio. We’ve got the truest conservative candidate since Reagan in the race this year, which, one would think, would merit some sort of enthusiastic endorsement — but Rush puts the brakes on. Cruz is the candidate you should support if “conservatism is your bag.” At best, it’s a qualified endorsement. Hearing that on his show of all places, that you may want to consider this or that if you’re into conservatism, is like hearing someone on the NFL Network say you may want to consider this or that if you’re into football. On the one hand, he’s simply recognizing reality: As he himself recently said, for some people (although not for him) “nationalism and populism have overtaken conservatism in terms of appeal.” True enough. For those people, Trump’s the guy. On the other hand, Cruz is facing a primary in 10 days that may very well decide the fate of the Republican nomination. Given the stakes there, with South Carolina forced to choose between a true-blue disciple of Reagan and a populist who seems capable of smashing the Republican coalition, the vote on February 20th is arguably the most momentous night the conservative movement will have experienced since 1980. If talk radio, which has been preaching conservative populism since the Reagan era, wants to give Cruz a boost over the nationalist Trump, now would seem to be the time. The fact that the quasi-endorsement comes with a qualifier anyway — vote Cruz, if conservatism’s your thing — feels like a bad sign. Just one more reason why I think Trump’s a heavy favorite for the nomination.
Actually, there’s another significant element to this clip. Would Rush praise Cruz quite so effusively, implicitly elevating him over Rubio (and everyone else) in terms of his conservative credentials, if he thought Rubio was still a plausible nominee? Remember, Rush has had warm words for Rubio lately, defending him as a bona fide conservative despite attacks on Rubio from the right that he’s some establishment water carrier. If Rubio had finished a strong second last night, creating a three-way race with Trump and Cruz, Rush might have felt obliged to hedge on Cruz being Reagan’s true heir or even included Rubio in the praise. Some of this, I think, is him bowing to the reality that, at least for the moment, Cruz is the only game in town if you want to stop Trump before he’s unstoppable.
Absolutely unelectable.
Also there are zero stories of Cruz being a nice guy. A lot of the opposite. He keeps showing himself to be socially tone deaf. Even the way he never dealt with his birth and the questions asked. Where is his consular birth abroad document? Or a later document whenever he did apply to prove he was a citizen?
He lacks magnanimity. Leaders need it. He lacks wisdom. Leaders benefit from that, too. I used to want him as Veep but I don’t think he has anything going for him except high IQ (so do a lot of people with autism) and deep belief in conservative principles (so do I and I would not make a good president).
I like Trump and I like Cruz, I will vote for either in the General, but until then I will do my best not to get sucked into the "My dogs bigger than your dog" fracus.
EVERYBODY is throwing Reagans name around, Reagan could NOT get elected today!!!! This country has gone in a direction I NEVER THOUGHT I would see!!! Reagan was governor of CA. for Gods sake that would NEVER happen today!!!!! Ladies and gentlemen Cruz CAN NOT win the general it has been 40 years since Reagan was POTUS we have 40 years of work to do in the other direction!!!! EVERYONE that THINKS Cruz can win the general NEEDS to get their heads out of the sand!!! For crying out loud LOOK at the other side millions andmillions of people in this country NOW think socialism is GREAT!!!!
Doesn't that beg the question why Cruz has lost several of his previous supporters? Why couldn't Cruz hold on to the likes of Scottie Hughes, Katrina Pierson & Sarah Palin?
And don't use the intellectually lazy argument that they just chased the money.
I think the GOPe might find Trump more acceptable however the uniparty would be happier with Cruz. Cruz's agenda would be bead on arrival if he is elected president. Cruz has not displayed any ability to work with others to accomplish anything. He is disliked by just about everyone in DC. So with Cruz we get a continuation of the status quo, which is fine with the uniparty.
Trump however might be able to get his a good part of his agenda thru Congress. He has a history of success and his genuinely liked by just about everyone he does business with. He knows how to play hardball and win. And someof Trumps' ideas are (tax reform) liked by the GOPe.
Ergo I think you are correct about Trump, he would be preferred by the GOPe but not preferred by the uniparty.
While I often equate the uniparty with the GOPe they are not identical. Just like Cruz has adopted most of Trump agenda Cruz and Trump are not identical either. Of the two I place more trust in Trump to actually do what he says he would do if elected. Cruz just flip flops do much for me to trust him.
The only foreign born US senator was the only US senator greeting the foreign invading horde with soccer balls and teddy bears. You’ll say, sheer coincidence?
There is no chance of him winning anything but a narrow victory, having a mandate or getting anything through the Senate.
First GIANT STEP to fixing this country is SEALING the border!!!!! Then on to the education system!!!!
RE: You don’t get to tell me what I call sacred.Same here what? It was you trying to dictate to me what/who I should consider sacred.SAME HERE.
You might consider Reagan sacred.I might consider a lot of people sacred. How is that any of your business?
Preach your self-righteous crap to someone else.
“... the sleazy tactics”
Serious question: Do you think that maybe the Cruzers might view some of Trump’s “tactics” (the name-calling, the foul language, for instance) as sleazy? I’m not asking you what YOU think; I’m asking you what Cruz-followers might think.
Ted Cruz would make a great President ATW. (after the wall)
There was only one Reagan, time to move on.
Reagan upheld Conservative principles and ideals with integrity.
His GOP successors who claimed that label have never met a donor they wouldn’t sell out to.
Hence the brand has been degraded in the minds of many voters. Today’s electorate likely would not elect Reagan IMHO.
“Other than immigration ( which we can argue is similar to Reagan’s because Reagan signed the amnesty bill ), on what other issues he supports or opposes is he not a conservative like Reagan is?”
Reagan signed the amnesty only because he was assured that it would be a one-of and the border would be sealed.
1. As you mention, the Gang of Eight bill that would result in a permanent democrat majority forever. Obama agenda initiative. Conservative?
2. Voted for TPA, which will enable TPP, which effectively ends U.S. sovereignty. Obama agenda initiative. Conservative?
3. Voted for the McConnell-Obama budget. Makes possible the Obama agenda. Conservative?
4. Called for amnesty for dreamers about three weeks ago. Conservative?
I could go on. He is definitely NOT a conservative. The best that could be said is that he is an opportunist. Of course, he is ineligible under the natural born clause in the Constitution, if the Constitution means anything anymore.
Seem to recall he had a ‘qualifying clause’ to the extent that if someone was looking for a conservative candidate, that Cruz fit the bill.
Not that he endorsed him, but if you were looking for that ‘type’ of candidate.
Limbaugh is an entertainer and Cruz is a nutter.
Also Ronald was a MOVIE STAR and Cruz can’t even get a decent smile going! Reagan didn’t talk down to people but engaged them in what he was saying. He didn’t need to prove how smart he was, how religious, how righteous. He knew how to work with the opponent and make a deal that was still a winner.
Well, you believe Donald; I don’t, based upon the fact that he has never been involved in any fight to help conservative principles. In fact, he has opposed us at every turn, and donated to all our enemies.
“Ted would not IMPOSE his will on Congress.”
Ok if that is true how will Ted get anything done? He clearly does not get along with anyone DC or congress. He’s not demonstrated the leadership ability that Trump obviously has. So how will he build an effective team?? I don’t see anything but status quo from Ted in that respect. I’ll vote for him as the nominee but believe it will be status quo gridlock politics that won’t change anything.
“This is the closest in our lifetimes we have ever been to Ronald Reagan.”
I can’t believe Rush would say that. They come from totally different backgrounds. We already got a one term senator as president.
What about Sarah Palin Rush?
Knowing Rush these days he’ll be walking back his comment before he loses any more subscribers.
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