Ted Cruz Ping! If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.
Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!
CRUZ or LOSE!
Posted on 07/16/2015 11:52:34 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Here is the guy who should be doing some cross-party fusion. He rallied a lot of Americans in bipartisan fashion on national security. He seemed to be playing his cards right. And . . . ? Bernie Sanders is kicking his butt in campaign fundraising. In fact, I dare say Sanders froze Paul’s chance at fusion. All the little rich libertine millennials that Paul was counting on, instead got excited for Sanders. But I am still really surprised by this.
Paul only raised $6.9 million. Ben Carson raised $10.6. And that is money raised by the candidate, not the Super PAC. The fact that a guy like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) 84%, Mister Individualist, is having to depend on two outside Super PACs to raise money for him — and neither have released totals yet — is really surprising. I suspect it was a strategic miscalculation for Paul to enter the race when he did because it meant he could no longer coordinate with his Super PAC. Perhaps Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) 100%‘s strategy of jumping in early stroked Paul’s ego in a way that forced a strategic mistake. As long as Paul did not formally declare, he could fundraise with the Super PACs. But the moment Cruz got in, Paul felt compelled to jump in too.
To be fair, most of Paul’s contributions are less than $200.00 a piece. That shows he has some real grassroots support. But that’s not enough. He got in Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) 63%‘s bed in Kentucky and McConnell made kissy face through his re-election. The moment McConnell’s victory was secure he kicked Paul out of the bed. Paul has misplayed his hand on social issues and, for large donors, national security issues too.
The blunt fact of the matter is that between Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) 84% and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) 100%, it turns out the base loves Cruz more. Cruz raised $14.3 million to Paul’s $6.9 million, excluding SuperPAC dollars. Cruz is second in the GOP race, behind Bush, with Super PAC dollars and it does not seem Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) 84% will beat him when his Super PACs finally show what they raised.
I am genuinely surprised by this. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) 84% should be doing much better. He actually has a good story. He actually has positions that set him apart from the GOP field. He has a built in base of support from his father. But remarkably it appears Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) 84% will be less a factor on 2016 than his dad was in 2012. I really never expected that. And not only that, if you pay attention to the campaign schedule, Paul is marching to the beat of his own drummer in ways that suggest the drummer isn’t really headed toward the White House. Michigan? Really?
What the hell happened?
All the little rich libertine millennials that Paul was counting on, instead got excited for Sanders.
Rand became a mini-me of his whacked out father.
Paul removed all doubt. He kept opening his mouth.
Rand probably gets the free market economy, cutting the federal government, and reestablishing the Constitution as good as any and better than most.
He shoots himself in the foot when it comes to foreign policy. I’m not convinced he wouldn’t have a strong defense and be a good supporter of Israel or other allies, but his rhetoric distances him from what would otherwise be his base.
What happened to Rand Paul? Rand Paul happened to Rand Paul.
Bingo, we have a winner!
How can libertines choose a socialist? That makes no sense. Not that I like Paul AT ALL!!!!
Rand Paul forgot he has to run in republican primaries first. His rhetoric was aimed at winning democrat voters, who usually do not vote in republican primaries. His strategy was a loser.
A fitting end to his campaign...!
What did old Mitch do to little Rand?
Honestly, is this really a surprise to anyone (esp. here)?
You nailed it Sarge:)
Not many conservatives like Rand’s open borders stance, as well as his outright lunatic position of Muslim aggression being caused by actions of the west.
John Kerry’s foreign policy is a loser, especially in a GOP primary.
Paul: ‘Negotiations Are Better Than War’ But Will Vote Against Iran Deal
http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/07/15/rand-paul-iran-deal-still-believe-negotiations-are-better-war
“Rand became a mini-me of his whacked out father.”
I think it was that wacky curly hair-do he was sporting.;-)
It's more terrifying...
It's on a mission to conquer the Earth!
Just when you thought it was safe to watch politics again, here comes...
SON OF PAUL!
Ted Cruz Ping! I prefer a president who will defend America in a crisis. In some ways I am a small L libertarian. But I do not buy the mantra of that particular party.
And I do not trust Rand Paul to go overseas to defend our nation.
Ditto that: all the stuff about prisons, race, non-defense if the U.S.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.