Posted on 11/22/2015 6:57:18 AM PST by Isara
This is arguably the most crucial Presidential election of this generation. In fact, a win for Republicans this time around may have more of an effect on the country than Ronald Reagan’s in 1980 or Bill Clinton’s in 1992. Both caused dramatic changes to the way that America operated, but neither will be as important as what happens next year.Ted Cruz is a man of seconds. He’s viewed by many as the most conservative overall candidate, but that’s the extent of his polarization. Otherwise, he’s the right combination of being the second most this or the second most that. While most of the time there’s nothing good about being second at anything, when you’re second at pretty much everything, it adds up to being the best overall. Like a quarterback who can throw, read defenses, run, stay healthy, and come through in tough situations, Cruz is a multi-talented candidate who is good in all of the right places.
It’s a combination that would bring very likely victory in a general election regardless of whether it’s the likely opponent of Hillary Clinton or if Bernie Sanders can mount a serious opposition. Of course, he has to make his way through to the Republican nomination, first, and that might be a bigger challenge than beating the Democrats’ nominee.
An article on liberal MSNBC points out the five areas where Cruz is second to another candidate. Combined, they make for a very potent campaign.
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What you already knew not bad for MSNBC: https://t.co/0LWS5meVa4 — Conservative Leader (@consrvativleadr) November 21, 2015 |
Here are the five “seconds” that combined reveal Cruz as the top choice.
Even though recent controversy about Ben Carson’s foreign policy knowledge has turned a good number of evangelicals away, he has been the chief recipient of their vote. This is where Cruz, the second favorite among evangelicals, has the power to unite them towards voting.
He’s building the strongest coalition of pastors around the country, particularly in Iowa, who have sway over their flocks. It isn’t just Carson who is feeling the pull from Cruz. Donald Trump’s popularity with evangelicals, where he ranks #1 in some polls, is showing signs of waning.
Donald Trump is the outsider many Republicans love. Unfortunately for him, he’s proving that he’s such an outsider that he’s actually alienating himself from those who want at least a smidgen of political sense. Sure, those who support him wholeheartedly will never see the errors of his ways, but how he’s handled Carson and more recently John Kasich demonstrate an immaturity that will scare most voters away from him when the primaries come around.
Cruz has made many enemies among Washington DC insiders, which makes him ideal for those who find his outsider status appealing while still wanting a semblance of political know-how. Cruz has both going for him. Perhaps more importantly is that Cruz is making his enemies among the career politicians. Every time a John Boehner or Bob Dole dishes out a punch, it has the opposite effect in the minds of Republican voters.
Marco Rubio has had the revelation that he’s missed so many Senate votes come across as a negative despite the fact that he’s missed fewer than candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton when she was a Senator, or John Kerry. The reason he’s missed the votes is because he’s been running a very solid campaign, attending fundraisers and rallies in an effort to solidify his spot as the Republican Establishment’s frontrunner.
Next to Rubio, Cruz has been nearly as dedicated. He’s made more Senate votes and spent less time on the road, but not by much. He has a better ground game and infrastructure than Rubio, though, so one could argue that he’s running an even better technical campaign, but for the sake of this article we’ll call him a close second.
Then, there’s the Hispanic heritage aspect, a factor that will play a role in the general election. Even some Hispanic Democrats will find it appealing to usher in the first Latino President though they wouldn’t discuss it at the dinner table.
There was little doubt that Rand Paul was going to pick up his father’s mantle and be the voice of the Libertarians in this election. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t really do that, at least not definitively. Even before he sunk near the bottom on the polls, he was already being criticized by much of his base who were starting to see Cruz as the more Libertarian option even if he’s never claimed their philosophy by name.
Cruz is the closest to Paul in nearly every way. Even without being a true Libertarian, his views are close enough and his chances of getting the nomination are exponentially higher than Paul’s.
Cruz has raised the second most direct money for his campaign. Only Jeb Bush has raised more through his Super PACs. Most importantly, he has the most cash on hand. While he’s not the best at direct fundraising (yet) nor is he at the top of the Super PAC fundraising, he’s right where he needs to be.
In the MSNBC article, they don’t refer to Bush. They actually compare the Cruz money machine to 2008 candidate Obama. It’s a better comparison since Senator Obama attacked fundraising in much the same way that Senator Cruz is attacking it: grassroots, email, and a tenacious frugality with campaign finances.
America is going to need a candidate they can trust in order to turn the tide away from the liberal agenda that we’ve experienced for the last seven years. Cruz is best positioned to do that in the general election. The only question is whether or not he can do it in the primaries first.
Please click on the pictures at the top of the columns for more details on the ratings of the candidates.
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More at Conservative Review: https://www.conservativereview.com/2016-presidential-candidates
Note: If you don't like the ratings for any reason, please contact Conservative Review's Editor-in-Chief, "The Great One," Mark Levin. But I have to warn you that you may get this response from him: "GET OFF THE PHONE, YOU BIG DOPE!"
The only name I hear out there is Trump. Look at his crowds, the enthusiasm for Trump, and the demographics of his supporters.
Freepers who have been active in politics for decades, who I know, are supporting Trump. They all like Cruz but in a VP position.
You are working for a great cause. Keep it up. There are still a lot of Trump supporters and, unbelievably, Carson supporters in desperate need of a Cruz Control Overhaul.
Active since early 80s. Love Cruz. Disgusted by Trump and will never vote for him — primary or general.
<><> Cruz's fast-tracking TPP vote......knowing Obama considers TPP central to his presidential legacy and to his foreign policy and economic legacies.
<><> Cruz's vote on the Corker bill. The Corker bill is the radical left
kissing up, rallying to protect Obama on the $150 billion Iran nuclear deal giveaway.
<><> Cruz calling for a 500% increase in H1b work visas.
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American workers DESPISE H1B Visas. A massive expansion of H1Bs puts struggling Americans out of work.
No 'conservative' in their right mind would ever vote for deals which put Americans out of work. Cruz will not change his position on H1B visas....b/c pro-amnesty Goldman Sachs contributes to his campaign (Cruz's wife is a Goldman Sachs exec).
Club For Growth likes Cruz - they are also for amnesty open borders. ===========================================
Cruz also has highly suspect ties to those Hillary lovers, the Democratic-centric, Goldman Sachs, and, the Council on Foreign Relations.
Cruz's wife is a Goldman Sachs exec.
Mrs Cruz served on the North American Union task force, and supported their report called---'Building a North American Community."
The North/South border effort was sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations in association with the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and the Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales.
Translated into English, that means forget US sovereignty....just eradicate US borders. To be fair, Cruz renounced his Canadian citizenship....recently.
Yes Ted Cruz could wipe the floors with Granny Clinton in a few counties in Iowa- then what?
Crux is the most staunch conservative in the race, he is running on his record, which reflects his long held principles. I don't believe there is another candidate that is as consistent, Constitutional, conservative, christian or that has demonstrated as much integrity as Cruz. You can denigrate him, best he is still the best man for the job.
| Poll | Date |
Trump
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Carson
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Rubio
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Cruz
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Bush
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Fiorina
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Huckabee
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Christie
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Kasich
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Paul
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Graham
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Pataki
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Santorum
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Jindal
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Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCP Average | 11/15 - 11/19 | 27.5 | 19.8 | 12.5 | 11.3 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | Trump +7.7 |
| FOX NewsFOX News | 11/16 - 11/19 | 28 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -- | Trump +10 |
| ABC/Wash PostABC/WP | 11/16 - 11/19 | 32 | 22 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Trump +10 |
| PPP (D)PPP (D) | 11/16 - 11/17 | 26 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Trump +7 |
| BloombergBloomberg | 11/15 - 11/17 | 24 | 20 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -- | Trump +4 |
AMEN,brother!
I think VP would be a waste of his talents, let him stay in the Senate until President Trump can appoint him to a Supreme Court vacancy.
I like Cruz. I like him a lot and wouldn’t be afraid to have him at the helm of the country, but for the reasons you listed, primarily his associations, as much as I try, I just cannot seem to fully trust him. I’d love to see him as Donald’s VP. That said, not in a million years would I have ever thought I’d be wanting and trusting a guy from New York as my choice in candidates to save our nation from the multitude of attacks hell bent on destroying it. I genuinely believe Cruz loves this country and would do a good job, but I do not think he has enough years behind him to have the fortitude to stand up to those who want to manipulate him. After being a VP under Donald for one or two terms, he’d be ready to take the wheel and complete making America great again. Flame suit on, ready for incoming, but I think Donald more fully appreciates the dire situation the nation is in and genuinely wants to fix it, and that’s only because he’s had more life experience.
In my small role as a health-care provider I interact with a few hundred patients within a 12 month period. Politics is among the items of discussion lately. Among those who identify as non-Republican (Dems, Independents, and so on) I have yet to encounter ANYONE who supports, let alone will vote for, Ted Cruz. Among my extended family, those who are not Republicans, not one has indicted giving any support to Ted Cruz(too extreme). The candidate most talked about—Trump. Will he get their votes? Maybe, maybe not but he has them talking and thinking. At this point in time of this election cycle, no other candidate has this level of national attention as does Trump....at least in my close circle of interactions.
I agree that Ted is the best; however, due to the polls Trump will head the ticket, but he’ll listen to Ted.
This is the first time I heard somebody try to make the argument that being in second place is a winner. :-)
Trump's Record on Free-market Issue: (from the Conservative Review)
Trump has a terrible record on free market issues. The only bright spot is the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing, but this glimmer is countermanded by his repeated support for bailing out Wall Street and the auto industry, and increased stimulus spending. Of particular concern is Trump's belief that the government can use eminent domain powers to seize private property in the name of private economic development. This comes as no surprise, given his support for using eminent domain to profit his own company.
Trump supported the Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in Kelo v. City of London, allowing public authorities to seize private land for economic development by private investors; Trump said, “I happen to agree with [the decision] 100 percent.” (National Review) This is no surprise given Trump’s attempt to use eminent domain in his own line of work. (Institute for Justice)
Trump supported President Obama’s 2009 stimulus, saying: “The word stimulus is probably not used in its fullest…you know, certain of the things that were given weren't really stimulus. They were pork, as we call it, or they were gifts to certain people. But overall, I think he's [President Obama] doing very well. You do need stimulus and you do have to keep the banks alive.” (CNN)
Trump supported TARP, saying, "You had to do something to shore up the banks, because ... you would have had a run on every bank." (CNN)
Trump supported the 2008 auto bailout, saying, “I think the government should stand behind them 100 percent. You cannot lose the auto companies. They’re great. They make wonderful products.” He also said that the federal government could “easily save the companies.” (Daily Caller)
Trump criticized the Federal Reserve’s intervention in the debt market, saying quantitative easing creates “phony numbers” that mislead the marketplace and “will not ultimately benefit the economy. The dollar will go down in value and inflation will start rearing its ugly head.” (CNBC)
Donald Trump has a history of using eminent domain to complete business deals. Multiple times Trump has supported the use of government agencies to take possession of homes and businesses for use in his private business plans. Eminent domain seizures are reserved only for public use of property rather than abuse by the government taking property from one individual and giving to another. (Washington Post)
Donald Trump has sought and received crony capitalist tax breaks for his commercial properties in New York. These tax breaks, and even an abatement, force the property taxes of other property owners to rise at the expense of the connected. Special treatment for one business or industry over another with the tax code conflicts with free market principles. (National Review)
In 2009, Trump supported Barack Obama's call for limits on the pay of executives. (CNN)
Won't it be wonderful when President Cruz appoints Supreme Court judges and Federal judges who follow the U.S. Constitution, just like him?
The jerks at Conservative Review have an anti-Trump agenda. Trump carries a pistol and they peg him as iffy on Second Amendment. I’m a Cruz supporter, but biased polling results are unacceptable to honest people.
You mean the guy who vanished during the Loretta Lynch confirmation vote?
Trump collects demographics that are off limits to Cruz. I would prefer Cruz to be nominated for SCOTUS and not wasted for POTUS or VPOTUS.
This is not going to be a race of conservative FReeper voters only; the GOP nominee is going to have to be able to snag non-traditional GOP voters, in all kinds of states.
Never forget this.
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