[truth_seeker]

“Sorry, I’m not about who can win as my primary objective.

I’m about WHO SHOULD WIN, and that would be the most conservative, most intelligent, most principled candidate available.”

IOW what you are about is an irrelevant exercise.

You need to be able to differentiate the difference between a) GOP Presidential preferences, and b) most popular at FR at this time.

The only example of a conservative (by today’s definition) winning both primary and general, is Reagan. Reagan was very well known, ran a state, ran for Potus 3 times.

And when he won he got 50.8%. And did that, against an incredibly lousy Carter!!

Cruz has an immense task to broaden his appeal, beyond FR standards. And maybe another decade or more.

[SoConPubbie]

The only example of a conservative (by today’s definition) winning both primary and general, is Reagan. Reagan was very well known, ran a state, ran for Potus 3 times.

And when he won he got 50.8%. And did that, against an incredibly lousy Carter!!

And yet, after winning his primary, Reagan was down by 30+ points to Carter, and yet, he still won, by sticking to principles.

Sorry, I'm not about to give up on my principles because you are unwilling to fight for yours.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The only example of a conservative (by today’s definition) winning both primary and general, is Reagan. Reagan was very well known, ran a state, ran for Potus 3 times.

And when he won he got 50.8%. And did that, against an incredibly lousy Carter!!

RINO (the term hadn’t been invented yet, but certainly he was GOPe) John Anderson went third party in 1980. Even with a fellow-Republican running third party, Reagan still polled over 50% - and beat Carter by 10%.

Wire service journalism was as hostile to Reagan as to anyone in presidential history, including Nixon. But as you say, Carter was awful. Obama is worse, and we desperately need to nominate “a choice, not an echo” in ’16.

It is pretty hard for a party to win three elections in a row (and even harder for a sitting VP to win election to the presidency - only Washington’s, Jackson’s, and Reagan’s VPs did it). We need someone who can and will articulate the failings and dangers of this current administration. Whether wire service journalism likes it or not.