Posted on 03/05/2016 4:39:02 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Pretty much every speaker at CPAC this year has caused some sort of a stir, which seems to define the nature of the presidential race which framed it. Ted Cruz was no exception, with plenty of fans clogging the path to the ballroom where he spoke as the Secret Service labored to get everyone scanned and checked through metal detectors at the door. Things got a bit spicy when he went after Donal Trump and a number of Trump supporters got up and left the hall, but for the most part Cruz received a very warm reception.
In a separate set of comments, however, Cruz was asked about the now endless speculation over a brokered convention. He wasn’t having any of it.
Ted Cruz flatly rejected the idea of a contested convention on Friday at CPAC, warning that it would lead to a “manifest revolt” against Republican establishment figures who have floated the idea as a last-ditch vehicle to stop front-runner Donald Trump.
At a question-and-answer session with Fox News host Sean Hannity, the Texas senator said Trump must be defeated at the ballot box.
“Any time you hear someone talking about a brokered convention it is the Washington establishment in a fevered frenzy. They’re really frustrated because all of their chosen candidates, all of their golden children, the voters keep rejecting. And so they seized on this master plan,” Cruz said mockingly. “We go to a brokered convention and the DC power brokers will drop someone in who is exactly to the liking of the Washington establishment. If that happens we will have a manifest revolt on our hands. That's not how you win. ”
[…]
“If you want to beat Donald Trump here’s how you do it: You beat Donald Trump with the voters,” he said.
This is pretty much the opposite of what keeps coming from the Rubio camp. (As well as the hopeful dreams of nearly everyone in the media who would just love the ensuing mayhem.) While it makes for excellent parlor discussions, Cruz is absolutely correct. An outcome such as that will splinter the party, perhaps irreparably. The way to beat any leading candidate is simply to beat them. Get out there and make the sale, close the deal, or however else you wish to describe it. Thus far nobody (including Ted Cruz) seems to have managed the task.
But even if Cruz changes his mind later, let’s not forget rule 40. You need to secure the majority of delegates in at least 8 states in order to be eligible to have your name entered on the floor of the convention this year. Thus far nobody but Trump has managed it or is even close. (Cruz has three.) The Texas senator had a very good appearance at CPAC and clearly he has a lot of fans. This weekend and over the next ten days we’ll find out if he can translate that into some wins.
If you can prove that beyond the shadow of a doubt and also prove that Ted Cruz is behind it, I’ll disavow Ted Cruz.
Let’s have some incontrovertible evidence
CPAC: Cheesy gathering of the direct-mail millionaires. Puhleez.
BS. You guys always have to have some excuse why you lose. You sound just like the Rats.
Sounds to me like Jim is asking nicely for at least the third time for posters to act like grown up conservatives.
Why don't you shoot him an FRmail and ask for some clarification?
I don’t need to ask him. I’ll take your word for it.
John Kasich was begging yesterday on Hannity for a brokered convention. It really is his only chance to win. Otherwise, he said his path was to take Ohio and then 2/3 of the remaining delegates.
That won’t happen.
I don’t consider a brokered convention theft, but I do think there’s a terrible problem if their top two vote getters are cut out.
I still think it’s most likely that Trump will win, and I still think that the foreign citizenship and Canadian birth thing will hurt Cruz, but I’m all in for Cruz if he wins. It’s that simple.
No, temper the snideness, quit the vitriol we’ll vote as a party so no matter if Trump or Cruz we win. Enough tearing each other down
Hi SeekAndFind,
There is no evidence to prove that there are multiple votes. It is extremely difficult in a caucus, since hands are shown, or ballots are handled once. Usually ID occurs to get into the caucus room. Not later when voting. Mit streamlines the process.
Gwjack
And you expect me to believe TWEETS?
I want a through investigation, not twitter allegations.
I agree with you. But these allegations aren’t going away, so I want them to show incontrovertible evidence.
RE: CPAC: Cheesy gathering of the direct-mail millionaires
What convention is a better alternative for conservatives?
Bkmrk.
Trump's my guy but a Cruz victory in Kansas comes as no surprise. I half expected that.
Now Cruz leading in Maine, that's a surprise.
After tonight, maybe Trump will be wanting a contested convention to keep Cruz from winning!
I’d like a thorough investigation too. Wouldn’t surprise me though after Ted “A Time For Truth” Cruz went gutter in IA and a lot of lies afterwards. Jeff Roe who made up a candidate dropping out before still works for Cruz.
The margin in Kansas is a surprise to me.
There won’t be any evidence. This just another scummy try to smear him. They never quit.
You do know Trump is the one that lied and said Cruz was dropping out the day of Super Tuesday voting, right?
Cruz only repeated a CNN story.
You must like Rubio because of your comment...no way could you support Trump after such a dirty trick, right?
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