Posted on 04/01/2016 2:04:43 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
If Donald Trump has so far succeeded with his disregard for the conventional rules of presidential politics, his hiring this week of seasoned Republican hand Paul Manafort seemed to signal an acknowledgement that the rules are now paramount.
Manafort is a “master” of delegate counting and convention strategy, according to those who have worked with and against him, and one of only a few operatives with practical experience in this niche area. For a campaign whose survival might well hinge on a few dozen delegates, Manafort’s hire is a monumental, if surprising, coup.
“The fact that Trump hired him is a serious move forward,” said Scott Reed, now the senior political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who managed Bob Dole’s 1996 campaign for president -- on which Manafort also worked. “Paul is a proven vote counter, he knows how to strategically move a campaign."
Reed added, “It hasn’t gone unnoticed by [Ted] Cruz and [John] Kasich.”[continued]
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Good - now if he’ll hire someone to tell him to stop tweeting and help him prepare speeches so he’ll stop going off half cocked and offending everyone - he might have a chance.
I do love how the Cruz campaign was sleazy for knowing the rules and going after delegates. But now that Trump realizes the rules apply to him also, he’s hired somebody and it’s a great thing. LOL
Since Manafort is an insider, does that mean Trump is now officially GOPe?
Just asking.
Of course not.....those rules ONLY apply to his opponents, never to Trump himself.
How dare you “throw shade” on the idol of millions?!
Cruz was aggressive going after delegates. Trump is a counter-puncher.
Roger Stone is nothing but an insider. Oh, that’s right, he “doesn’t work” for Trump anymore...
This guy better be the miracle worker, since Cruz has had hundreds of people working on this for months.
Trump has ALWAYS had a better "chance" of winning the nomination AND the general election, than ANYONE else!
What's wrong with YOU ?
You've really descended into the muck with your posts and 24/7 anti-Trump crap.
I just said as much. What’s with the anger?
Nothin’ wrong w/ me. Just saying his tweeting and remarks have caused his numbers to tank lately. Sorry, but Trump needs to start acting more Presidential if he wants to win and stop shooting from the hip. Even his wife agrees. Too bad he doesn’t have the speaking gift Donald Jr. has….
His supporters are die hards and will support him no matter what comes out of his mouth, but he’s got to be more appealing to the masses in order to win.
Your smarmy, snarky post inferred the complete OPPOSITE of what you're now claiming and it was directed to to two other Cruz supporters.
I'm not "angry", I'm disgusted by your crass, biased, constant drivel and anti-Trump postings from every lefty site you can find to post links to.
You can't lie your way out of any of this.
Fair point.
Where did you get the idea that you have any authority over me?
I’m for Trump but we can’t fault Ted for ambition just because he doesn’t look as smooth doing it.
The constant, nonstop lies and trashings, FROM ALL SIDES, may have taken a slight toll, this week, on Trump, but it has less than NOTHING at all to do with his TWEETS nor his speeches at rallies and on T.V.!
You don't realize that most people are sick of the PROFESSIONAL POLS and their memorized speeches, which promise one thing and deliver either NOTHING at all or the complete opposite of what they claimed.
Too bad that you don't have the ability to use the brains that GOD gave you!
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.