It’s Cruz, not Trump, who looks more like favorite to win GOP nomination

WaPo ^ | 12-13-2015 | Chris Cillizza

[NRx]

The Iowa caucuses are seven weeks away. Donald Trump is still the Republican front-runner. Sen. Marco Rubio is, for now, the establishment’s best (only?) hope. And Sen. Ted Cruz is the guy who looks best positioned to win.

Yes, you heard that right.

Cruz (R-Tex.), as of today, has the most direct route to the Republican presidential nomination — assuming that the past history of GOP nomination fights works as a broad predictor of where the 2016 race is headed.

Let me elaborate.

1. Cruz is positioned as the most conservative candidate in the race. Although Trump gets all the attention for his over-the-top statements, Cruz has staked out a position on the far right on virtually every major hot-button issue, including immigration, Obamacare, national security and the fight against the Islamic State militant group. And, tonally, Cruz comes across as aggressively and unapologetically conservative — a less controversial and more electable version of real estate magnate Trump.

[ReneeLynn]

Oh, no! Democrats won’t vote for him! Are you serious? Crikey.

[VanDeKoik]

“But they don’t KNOW, and they haven’t assessed Cruz properly, yet. He will be deadly against them.”

He needs to start demonstrating this “deadly” power of his NOW then. Because his magnificent power to destroy all opponents seem to only exist in people saying it.

Candidates with this ability would be showing it. Like what on Earth is the point of hiding it?

[angelcindy]

all these people are out to destroy trump ,why cant people see this ...the GOP are desperate...

[dragnet2]

Could you ping me when the magnificent demonstration of his deadly power starts?

[angelcindy]

the gop want hillary to win...so they can carry on their rino agendas....

[angelcindy]

if cruz wins the nomination you can bet ur last dollar the democrats have something on him and will attack him with all they got

[VanDeKoik]

I keep hearing it’s going to happen “any minute now”!

[randita]

The press knows that Cruz has virtually NO cross-over voter potential.

I disagree. By virtue of his Hispanic heritage, Cruz will get Hispanic voters. That should really help him in FL.

[Baynative]

I would agree with you for the most part. But, I was referring to what will be seen on national TV debates and how Cruz is more adept at speaking directly to the people than Hillary.

But you are 100% right about the media. When it comes to spreading the message, Cruz will be on his own. I saw this illustrated last week on FOX when Glen Beck said to Megyn Kelly that, Obama either doesn't understand the significance of the ISIS movement, is ignoring the facts, or is actually complicit in their growth. He followed by saying; "I know what I believe, what do you think?"

Megyn (the establishment supporter) ran from that topic faster than a rabbit being chased by a wolf.

[Kit cat]

Cruz will NEVER be able to beat the press the way that Trump does!!! As much as I love Cruz the MSM will crucify him!!!! We NEED Trump first to lay the groundwork for a Cruz presidency!!! Has EVERYONE forgotten what these BASTARDS did to Sarah Palin???? Trump plays the media like a violin we will ONLY win with him this time around!!!!!

[Carthego delenda est]

“A brilliantly-astute analysis.
Post of the day!
Leni “

Ditto!

[Kit cat]

Are ALL of you noticing how the MSM are starting to push Cruz!!!! they WILL destroy him!!!! They can’t touch the Donald and don’t know what to do about it!!!! We NEED Trump this time around if for nothing more than to beat these BASTARDS at their own game!!!! He is SELF FUNDED they can’t touch him!!!! ALL HEADS ARE EXPLODING, I am VERY happy!!!! Trump is not THE perfect candidate but PAYBACK is sooooo delicious!!!!!!

[heshtesh]

You can’t see that they want Cruz because they think they can take him out later? You can’t see this is a jobbed effort to take down Trump?

This does not end well.

Your “concern” is duly noted!

[dragnet2]

Most have noticed with the exception of some of his supporters.

But that’s OK.

[VanDeKoik]

“By virtue of his Hispanic heritage, Cruz will get Hispanic voters”

LOL! Seriously?

That’s like waiting for blacks to come to the defense of black conservatives.

You will find out real quick that Cubans =/= Mexicans, and thus they are free to not support him out of racial solidarity.

[Red Steel]

LoL @ ConPost

[caww]

There's nothing unusual about the media's reporting on Cruz at this time in the primary....this is how they operate as candidates rise and fall.....Cruz is "hot" in Iowa without question....but then so was Santorum when the press lifted him up.

It's a race and the horses move up and back until the two in the lead break from the pack and are neck and neck to the finish line......

[upchuck]

Excellent analysis. Bump!

[sheana]

I think Hillary would beat Cruz too. We may love him but it is what it is. It is going to take someone who can drive massive amounts of people to the polls to beat Hillary. Democrats have a built in advantage with electoral votes.
Sorry but Cruz isn’t it.

[dragnet2]

Wasn’t it you who posted the pic of Hitler comparing him to Trump? If so, could you post it again?

Thanks!