I would say 14 of the 16 defaulted to Trump. Cruz and Jeb have an agenda. Cruz’ I support but he struggles to get traction in glare of Trump’s campaign. Jeb...I’ll pass.
Trump came to win, not only the nomination but the election.
The GOPe can never seem to remember who brought them to the dance.
A fitting comparison.
Why is trump winning, it really is not rocket science.
1. DC and the GOPe elites have been pissing on us for years.
2. Trump fights back and in a pissing contest, he wins.
I am glad Trump is in the race as he is not afraid to bring up important issues the GOPe not only ignores but hides from the voters. I do hope he fades and makes the way open for Cruz.
ps
I am a Cruz supporter but would vote for “Don Padrino Trump” in the general election if he wins the nomination.
Sixteen years ago (yikes, so long!) Steve Forbes and Dan Quayle were very serious and viable candidates for the nomination. Then, GWB sucked up all of the big donor money and insider support.
One has to wonder what the world would be like today had the ticket been Quayle/Forbes or Forbes/Quayle. Both of them, and Trump, are top-tier examples of what our generation is all about.
JMHO
Candidates should remember that the economy is the domestic issue.
Trump has proven, beyond any doubt, that THE domestic issue is illegals.
The GOP candidates haven’t had decent agenda in two election cycles. So this is how a guy with an agenda and leadership skills takes the lead.
How do they think Trump will lose the lead at this point? Only if he commits an unforced error. Otherwise he will be facing the Democrat next Fall. I say fine with me.
Forbes’ answer, as always and to any question, is the flat tax.
But that’s probably not a winner in getting a majority.
First of all, any flat tax proposal I’ve seen isn’t—because it includes at least an exemption up to a certain level. And the idea that having two tax levels was the reason Congress slipped in more is laughable.
Now, the flat tax might be a nice ideal, and it could probably benefit from a president praising it as such. But at this point, too much support would be lost for it to get it through—or to pull a candidate into office. (Likely, unless, actually, Trump was the one to propose it—but that doesn’t help in strategizing for the dwarfs.)
None of the dwarfs has made or apparently knows how to make the economy their core issue. Trump has managed to do that in everything he does. Whether it’s illegal immigration, unfair trade deals, not extending the wealth to veterans, or whatever he talks about (other than making our military strong again, which of course does have long-term economic implications.)
Cruz, for example, supports a lot of good economic policies, but his two biggest funders are big into religious liberty issues, and he can’t stop talking about PP. He scores lower than low when pollsters ask who best can improve the economy.
Trump has made it clear that unless his issues are addressed and we have a legendary deal-maker leading the way, our economy is screwed. So it is indeed too late for others to take back the economic agenda. Whatever their promised tax rates or scheme.
There are legions of voters, both sides, that have a visceral hatred of zero, and what he has done.
Somebody, anybody, that stands up and voices their thoughts has a huge advantage.
Trump recognizes that, and has no fear mouthing it, not worried about what his bundlers and handlers might object to.
The other 16 want to be liked, especially by the media. Trump is aiming for the win.
There is some truth in what Forbes is saying. But, I believe that Ted Cruz also has a pretty bold agenda. He just has a different style and, in the end, Ted’s style may be more successful. We’ll see.