Posted on 06/30/2016 12:30:48 PM PDT by Sybeck1
For his own sake and the country's, the conservative stalwart should stand behind Trump
Aside from saying on Monday that he isnt bothered one way or the other about being given a speaking slot at the GOP convention, Ted Cruz has been noticeably absent from the public eye since exiting the 2016 contest. One would think that a committed constitutionalist like Cruz would be doing everything he can to prevent Hillary Clinton from becoming president. But even if Cruz isnt willing to stand side-by-side with Trump to that end, he should at least be willing to do so for his own self-interest.
The fact is that while Cruz may worry that associating with Trump could damage his doctrinaire conservative brand in the eyes of ideological die-hards and those evangelicals hitherto resistant to Trumps apparent charms, the alternative should Clinton win being cast as one of those who stood by and did nothing as Clinton waltzed into the White House could be much worse.
If Cruzs authentic conservative brand is hurt by association with Trump, it will be hurt just as much if not more by association with the Jonah Goldbergs and the Bill Kristols of the world.
Theres also the basic fact of human nature that no one likes a sore loser, and being seen as one can be a significant handicap in the political world. Hillary Clintons belated though relatively graceful acquiescence to Obamas nomination in 2008 likely secured her position as secretary of state, while Richard Nixons embittered exit from the 1962 California gubernatorial election almost cost him his entire political career.
Blaming biased media coverage in large part for his loss to Democratic Gov. Pat Brown, Nixon lashed out at reporters. You dont have Nixon to kick around any more, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference, he said.
Indeed, were it not for an outrageously biased anti-Nixon documentary which aired on ABC the week after the election so biased in fact that it managed to garner Nixon national sympathy his political career would likely have been over.
But Nixon is that rare exception that proves the political rule, and if enough of the conservative base considers even for a moment that Cruzs refusal to stand publicly with Trump against Clinton was motivated by ill feeling toward Trump, he may lose a significant amount of credibility.
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PoliZette The Case for a Cruz-Trump Coalition The ugly battle between the populist front-runners provides Rubio an opening to win it all Cruz could also be of great help to Trump's electoral efforts. If Trump loses, it will likely be largely the result of a concerted and biased media campaign, as was the case for Mitt Romney in 2012. But as he proved during the GOP primaries, Cruz is one of the most effective critics of media bias, far more so than Trump, who often appears personal and petty.
Moreover, forming a new relationship with Trump could also be strategically advantageous for Cruz. That Cruz is massively unpopular among his fellow senators on both sides of the aisle is a well known fact. "I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life," former GOP Speaker of the House John Boehner said.
Lindsey Graham famously noted that if "you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you." Indeed, to call Cruz unpopular may be an understatement. If Trump should win in November, a repaired, working relationship with the business mogul would offer Cruz a level of clout in the Senate which for him is otherwise unattainable.
Regardless of any desire Cruz may have to run again in 2020, he should get involved in the 2016 contest now. The potential benefits both for himself and the country seem to far outweigh the potential disadvantages.
IF YOU LIKE THIS, READThe Hypocrites Have Left the Building
Passing out anti-Trump propaganda on the same street his daddy did in New Orleans.
Rafael won't be eligible in 2020, 2024, 2028, 2032, or EVER.
Were you one of those GOP-E Dewhurst guys? Or were you for Ted?
And because I admitted I voted for Trump, I am now her second worst person in the world, despite being friends for over 50 years. This woman hates me now because, as she puts it, I have destroyed our country by voting for Trump.
I respond to her with, "Yeah, okie-dokie. Put the mouse down and step away from your computer before you harm yourself," and her head explodes. If I wasn't 2,200 miles away from this woman, I would fear for my safety. She has gone that nutzo.
You sure wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you left now. Cruz proved himself to be a liar, a cheat, a thief and a loon.... time and time again.
He has no place in the leadership of our country.
Trump is going to win and my country will be better for it.
Go Trump, Go! Go Trump, Go! Go Trump, Go!
LOL......
If Hillary gets in, we can forget about an honest election in 2020.
In fact, we can forget about America as we once knew it.
Well, it was reported from Trump Tower recently that Cruz was there with the other Evangelicals who were meeting with Trump.
That’s all I’ve been able to find out.
Don’t know if they spoke; if they shook hands; or anything else.
I still wish Cruz would be selected as VP .. but the rabble rousers here on FR will likely rip me apart for even suggesting such a thing.
if we don’t civil win the war after hillary is elected, there will be no America ever
Agreed! Our only worry or concern is keeping Hillary out of the white House in 2016, actually 2017. If she gets in the White House, she will take care of all our worries, cares, and concerns.
My thought is “be careful what you wish for.” Cruz coming out of the shadows isn’t necessarily a good thing, for anybody (else).
Wasn’t Cruz grilling Jeh Johnson at a Senate hearing today?
[ Cruz would be doing everything he can to prevent Hillary Clinton from becoming president ]
Obviously, that’s not been the plan for quite a while now.
yep
BUMP
And I was a big supporter of Cruz, my enthusiasm for him as my Senator is waning ... he is approaching the Cornyn zone
It is really really really simple so try to wrap your head around it:. People who care about this country don’t like giving the MDM and the Democrats any easy story lines, talking points etc. to try to help Hillary and hurt Trump.
If you can’t understand that helping Hillary and hurting Trump go against the owner’s stated purposes for this forum then you are beyond helping.
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