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How Cruz, Fiorina, and even Trump are Saving the Republican Brand
Townhall ^ | July 30, 2015 | Carl Jackson

Posted on 07/30/2015 1:16:32 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

Donald Trump won't be getting my vote in the GOP presidential primary. However, contrary to popular belief, I'm grateful he's put the GOP on life support, and he isn't alone. Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson and Marco Rubio are doing what's been unseen since Ronald Reagan--speaking above the political and media elite and connecting directly to the people. I suspect Trump will fade. And when he does, those who can effectively communicate a vision for America with passion and optimism along with a plan to restore her to prominence will be poised to siphon off his supporters.

So how is Trump benefitting the GOP exactly? He's given us an audience we wouldn't have otherwise. Many liberals are listening to conservative ideas that have been largely ignored or filtered by the media until now. For instance, I have a Latino friend whose mom is a New York liberal. She despises the GOP, however, she adores Trump. She believes he's speaking "truth." As a result, she's began paying attention to Cruz and Rubio as well.

Americans instinctively want to be the best and we're tired of power hungry politicians. Whether Trump is speaking out against China's unfair trade practices and Common Core, or speaking up for a border fence and our Vets, he's convinced the public that he's their "champion" that will fight for them -- he just happens to be a Republican. They believe if he can "Make America Great Again" they'll be the benefactors of a national resurgence. Cruz and Fiorina particularly, have wisely capitalized on the Trump phenomena to showcase their own skills.

Just last week Carly Fiorina took on Jake Tapper of CNN regarding the Planned Parenthood video scandal. Likewise, Ted Cruz displayed why he's a formidable candidate by creating a spontaneous debate with Code Pink leader Medea Benjamin. In both cases, Cruz and Fiorina framed the debate on their terms. In 2012 Mitt Romney allowed President Obama and his cohorts in the media to define him. We know how that turned out! Conservatism without the ability to communicate it effectively is a lost cause. A good debater understands that your opponents questions or remarks should serve as a springboard for your own message. Politicians don't win on defense.

Take Carly Fiorina's appearance on CNN for example. After being asked by a biased Jake Tapper whether or not she agreed with Hillary Clinton that Governor Scott Walker's bill banning abortions in Wisconsin after 20 weeks with no exceptions for rape and incest was extreme, she refused to take the bait. Instead she did several things:

1) She refused to acknowledge Scott Walker's position.

2) She filibustered Tapper from interrupting when he realized his "gotcha" question wouldn't be answered to his liking.

3) She didn't accept Tapper's premise that preventing a late term abortion was "extreme."

4) She defined "extreme" by exposing Hillary Clinton's belief that a life doesn't begin until it leaves the hospital.

5) She called out Tapper and the left-wing media for not reporting Hillary's extreme position on abortion, thereby putting him on defense.

6) She used an emotional appeal to moms who call their babies a "baby" during the same stage of pregnancy an abortionist calls it a specimen, tissue, or fetus.

In short, Carly Fiorina framed the argument on her terms. She didn't allow the left to define her.

That same week Ted Cruz was overwhelmed by yelling and screaming Code Pink protestors as he spoke at a Concerned Women of America (CWA) rally. Rather than speak over them, he invited the leader Medea Benjamin to debate him on the merits of the Iran nuke deal. She was shocked, but graciously accepted his invitation to engage in civil discourse.

As she began spewing her naive rhetoric Cruz remained quiet until she finished. When he was interrupted by the protestors he reminded them that "civil discourse" requires both sides listening. When Medea called opponents of the Iran deal "religious zealots" Ted Cruz scolded her for using divisive intolerant language and admonished her to follow proper decorum by not calling names. To my shock she agreed. He then eviscerated her premise that Obama's deal with Iran would bring about peace in the Middle East. Cruz reminded Medea that Jimmy Carter's inability to negotiate terms of release for our American hostages in Iran was due to his weakness. Furthermore, he explained how it was Ronald Reagan's "peace through strength" policy that inspired Iran to release the hostages on day one of his administration. Cruz neither conceded the moral high ground or accepted her premise. He used her own arguments against her. Additionally, notice he didn't censor the left despite them attempting to censor him.

For those of you who are concerned that Trump is sucking the air out of the room, you're right! Fortunately, for us it's a lot of hot air from the left and Cruz and Fiorina are smart enough to realize it.

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)


TOPICS: Campaign News; Issues; Parties
KEYWORDS: abortion; codepink; cruz; fiorina; hillary; iran; tedcruz; trump

1 posted on 07/30/2015 1:16:34 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Rubio should not be included in that group.


2 posted on 07/30/2015 1:24:58 AM PDT by Cowboy Bob (Isn't it funny that Socialists never want to share their own money?)
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To: Cowboy Bob

Nor should Carson. He’s phoning it in.


3 posted on 07/30/2015 1:26:18 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (You can help: https://donate.tedcruz.org/c/FBTX0095/)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Well it its Trump who is ‘converting liberals’ or at least getting them onboard to turn America around then Trump should be rewarded with the nomination as the candidate if he truly wants it for the long haul.


4 posted on 07/30/2015 1:43:12 AM PDT by tflabo (Psalm 1)
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To: Cowboy Bob

Agree on Rubio.Nino wonder can be compromised by DC corruptions like Schmucky.
Cruz won’t go there and will be solid if he gains traction. Carly I’m not so sure about. Rand for Senate majority leader. Carson for Surgeon General. Walker should remain Gov.of Wi—unfinished business there. Huckabee like Santorum doesn’t get enough credit and both are underrated. Perry’s poor communication skills hamper him. Krispy, Lyn-see and Quiche can all go take a hike elsewhere. I’m taking a calculated chance riding on the Trump train.


5 posted on 07/30/2015 2:10:16 AM PDT by tflabo (Psalm 1)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Good and valid article. Other candidates are pale. Hillary is the aging pretender to the throne. Only in the Trump, Cruz, Fiorina performances does there exist a spark which could ignite the plentiful, plentiful, kindling of "Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore" sentiment.
6 posted on 07/30/2015 2:16:41 AM PDT by PhilDragoo (Hussein: Islamo-Commie from Fakistan)
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To: tflabo

Carly may turn out to be the Palin of the election cycle with her strong speaking and debating skills providing a strong contrast to Hillary’s poor performances on the campaign trail. I see her as a strong contender for a VP slot.

That said some of her positions are a little less than I would expect from a Conservative. With a Trump/Cruz/Walker at the head of the ticket she can learn to tow the Conservative line.....while at least providing an attractive addition to the ticket for female voters.


7 posted on 07/30/2015 2:36:24 AM PDT by Forty-Niner (The barely bare berry bear formerly known as Ursus Arctos Horribilis.)
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To: Forty-Niner

If one must learn to tow the Conservative line, then they have no business being there in the first place. IMO, conservatism is something that is lived through principle, not political maneuvering.

Granted, what she may have learned though her social circles is again taken on PC rather than principle, then she has got a lot of livin’ to do.

As stated before about Rubio, At the District 4 kickoff meeting in June of 2010 in Lake City, Florida. Rubio lied to us from his heart and continued to do so until he got his 40 pieces of silver from Schmuckie. As far as I am concerned, likening his name to the others mentioned, sullies the entire thesis.


8 posted on 07/30/2015 2:46:54 AM PDT by mazda77
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To: Cowboy Bob

Absolutely Correct,who the hell is pushing that phony Rubio?


9 posted on 07/30/2015 3:42:16 AM PDT by ballplayer (hvexx NKK c bmytit II iyijjhihhiyyiyiyi it iyiiy II i hi jiihi ty yhiiyihiijhijjyjiyjiiijyuiiijihyii)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“As a result, she’s began paying attention to Cruz and Rubio as well.”

Rubio is a FLAT-OUT LIAR regarding Amnesty, given that he was (1) open borders as Florida House Speaker...(2) disavowed that position when running for Senate...(3) flipped back again to Open Borders the moment he won his Senate seat. He’ll push Amnesty the moment he’s in the White House.

Walker is likely the same, given that he has already met (1) and (2), above.

Cruz is the ONLY ONE with clean hands on this. The others should not be mentioned in the same article.


10 posted on 07/30/2015 3:51:36 AM PDT by BobL (REPUBLICANS - Fight for the WHITE VOTE...and you will win (see my 'profile' page))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It could be by March 1 that only two serious candidates remain; would that be Jebbie and Trump. The establishment won’t drop Jebbie without a fight.


11 posted on 07/30/2015 5:00:38 AM PDT by Theodore R. (Liberals keep winning; so the American people must now be all-liberal all the time.)
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To: BobL

Numbers USA has only Santorum as “excellent” on the fight against illegal immigration.


12 posted on 07/30/2015 5:01:25 AM PDT by Theodore R. (Liberals keep winning; so the American people must now be all-liberal all the time.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; Kale; Jarhead9297; COUNTrecount; notaliberal; DoughtyOne; MountainDad; ...
    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!

13 posted on 07/30/2015 9:08:13 AM PDT by SoConPubbie (Mitt and Obama: They're the same poison, just a different potency)
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