That's what Cruz and Rubio look like now.
Posted on 02/26/2016 1:10:17 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Over the course of the last 48 hours, the Rubio campaign pulled one of the great head-fakes in recent political history by telegraphing that they weren't at all interested in attacking Donald Trump at tonight's debate.
Technically, this wasn't a ruse because Rubio didn't just attack Trump. He went after him with a chainsaw. And Ted Cruz brought a pair of pliers and a blowtorch.
If the normal laws of politics applied to the 2016 race, it would have been a catastrophic night for Trump. By any reasonable measure, Trump had a meltdown. He was exposed as a policy lightweight on a host of issues: A health care repeal plan which consists entirely of "removing the lines." He defended Planned Parenthood (again!) by claiming that abortions are only a small part of what the organization does. Most amazingly, he claimed that his sister, who is a judge, "signed a bill" with Judge Sam Alito. Two judges ... "signed a bill." It's enough to make you wonder: If a single exchange between Rubio and Chris Christie two weeks ago cost him several spots in New Hampshire, how could this two-hour demolition not cost Trump a great deal?
But will it hurt him? Probably not by itself. But if tonight's debate is the beginning of a sustained counterattack against Trump-by Cruz and Rubio themselves on the stump, by their campaigns on the air, and by reluctant donors who now see that there's a blueprint for dismantling the orange menace-then it could mark the beginning of the end for Trump.
What's the blueprint? Stylistically, Rubio showed that you don't need to out-argue Trump. You can mock him. And over the course of the debate, Rubio and Cruz put into play a number of issues that are real problems for Trump:
* His fishy tax returns, which he falsely insists he can't release because he's being audited.
* His total lack of a plan for replacing Obamacare.
* His lies about supporting/opposing both Iraq and Libya (which he repeated during the debate).
* The continuing charges of fraud (and lawsuit) concerning Trump university.
* Trump's use of illegal immigrant labor to build Trump Tower.
Why are these problems? Because the average voters doesn't know about most of them. Because they go to the heart of Trump's appeal. And because some of them-such as the tax returns and Trump University-are ongoing stories in which there are plenty of details still to be reported. The Cruz and Rubio campaigns ought to push these issues relentlessly at campaign stops, through surrogates, and in ads because their attacks will, in turn, force the media to finally confront (rather than enable) Trump.
Trump's rise has been powered by his dominance of earned media-and not just his perpetual access to it, but the obsequious toadying of TV hosts who don't want to lose their ratings chum. But a sustained campaign which focuses on these specific and detailed charges about Trump will force the media to start actually asking questions and pushing back against Trump when he dissembles or evades. In short, a real campaign against Trump will force the media to start treating him like a real candidate. And once that starts happening, Trump will be much less eager to submit himself to real questioning.
The final step to beating Trump is that his rivals have to tie their attacks to a central idea of what Trump really is. As effective as Rubio was in torching Trump at the debate, Cruz did a better job of this tonight. Cruz used all of Trump's problems to support the argument that Trump is a liar and a negotiator who is going to sell out his supporters the first chance he gets. (And believe it or not, that's the most charitable interpretation. Throw in his squeezing grandmothers to build casino parking lots, his penchant for bedding married women, and his four bankruptcies and you can grope your way to much worse characterizations.)
Yet Trump cannot be destroyed in a day. No matter how disastrous tonight's debate was, defeating him will require time, resources, discipline, and initiative. Cruz and Rubio have, finally, shown how it can be done.
But if this debate isn't followed by a pro-longed counter-offensive, then it will serve as nothing except a preview of what the Democrats will do to Trump in July.
The vast majority of Freepers disagree with you.
For better or for worse, Trump will be our party’s nominee.
Whether he wins or loses in November will be by the good grace of the American people.
Trying to hit the explode button on Trump,stay classy my friend resist
Hello President Hillary! We really ARE the Stupid Party!! Circular Firing Squad is ALL candidates on our side know how to do!! They SHOULD be going after the Democrats, but NOOOOOOOOOOO.
That's what Cruz and Rubio look like now.
Why are they saying that these workers that Trump hired are “illegal immigrants?” What I see is they were given legal work permits as temp workers. If true, the Trump opposition are fabricating one more lie.
Cruz has disappointed me yet again. He and his gang of 8 buddy are both TOOLS!
Like he said about Cruz....best get it out in the primary because them evil democrats will use it against him in the general.
I can see where Cruz and Rubio are only out to help Trump out here and that all. To get it solved early. LOL
No. You misunderstand Cruz's intentions. He is just trying to help Trump get it out in the open before the general.
Get it all solved now before the democrats can use it against him. That is all.
Cruz is helping Trump like Trump helped him with the NBC issue.
Paying Trump back, that is all for the good gesture.
After all what are two good conservative friends for.
Looks like an orangutan's butt.......bwhahahahahaha......gosh dang it I cannot quit laughing teeehhhhheeeeee bwhahahahahahahah
Yeah, here's some evidence of that:
What have the other candidates achieved in building anything constructive in this country. Lawyers and politicians are blood sucking leeches. Rubio doesn't even show up for wipork most of the time. He even excused it recently.
Go with Bernie, you'll be happier.
You would think so, but no, I listed to red eye radio for several hours and Trump supporters just make excuse after excuse after excuse. They indict anyone else for the smallest of perceived slights, but Trump — he could murder someone on live TV and they would make an excuse for him. Weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. They are lie Branch Donaldians.
Wow you are losing it! Have a super Tuesday!
Cruz and Rubio were ridiculous, like two yappy dogs double teaming Trump. They both talked over their time and constantly interrupted. Trump just quietly waited for his turn, only to be interrupted again. Honestly, why do these guys agree to the “rules” when they have no intention of following them? Plus since they were so busy attacking Trump, and Trump defending himself, Kasich and Carson barely got a chance to talk, with was just what the moderators intended. I’ve said from the beginning of these, the moderator should ask the same broad base policy question and let each candidate have the same amount of time to answer. And if they consistently go over time they should have to skip a round.
Yep. And then he’ll lose the general. And we will remember who made it all happen.
Nothingburger? The issue at hand?
Remind me again of how many people are unemployed/underemployed across America again and who would not be qualified to fill those jobs?
How many of these unemployed/underemployed would jump at the chance to work at a temp job and possibly snag a permanent job with a major corp like Trump's?
No, Onyx with all do respect my FRiend, this is an issue.
Yes, if only all participants were as honest and cordial as Trump. Give me a freaking break.
Stop trying to talk sense to these people. Their only goal is to wreck havoc with the republican party, even if it means electing Hillary. Trump was absolutely destroyed tonight. I heard it on satellite radio and then watched the rerun on cable. Absolutely destroyed. The democrats are going to wipe the floor with this idiot.
Alive and dead
It wasn’t Trump who continuously talked over his time and interrupted. In any case it didn’t work.
Where are they now? Did they leave? Are they accounted for?
My big issue is these jobs could have been filled by unemployed/underemployed Americans. That is my issue.
Also, during the winter there are more unemployed people in the north who would snap at a job in the beautiful sunshine state of Florida.
Why hire H1B unless you could hire for less money then you could hire American is the only reason to do it and that is why Trump does it. Less cash out of his pocket.
Now he is running for president and the people should see that he stands for $$$ before he stands for the American Citizen
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