Posted on 01/13/2016 8:10:07 AM PST by Kaslin
Of course they are. I've spoken to some of them. They're mostly keeping their powder dry for the moment, but they're so ecstatic over the Trump phenomenon that they're practically prepared to don "Make America Great Again!" hats throughout primary season. For what it's worth, they also say they see Cruz as another easy demonization mark ("extreme" conservative, "Senator Shutdown," etc.), but they seem less smug about that assessment as Hillary stumbles and polls like this become the norm. Why the Trump "enthusiasm" among professional Democrats? Because they know that a match-up against Trump would virtually guarantee that their team retains the White House, even with a wheezing corrupt liar as their standard-bearer. Trump's fundamentals are atrocious among the broader electorate; his loose canon schtick obviously doesn't wear well with most voters -- who'd be...highly susceptible to the tsunami of negativity Democrats' billion-dollar attack machine would unleash against him if he's nominated. Trump is an opposition researcher's dream come true. The teflon effect goes down the tubes in a general election setting. The good news for the celebrity billionaire is that he enjoys universal name recognition. The bad news is that his political brand is horrifically bad, especially among moderate, female, young, and Hispanic voters, among whom Republicans must improve in order to win. Plus, one can't help but wonder if some Democrats may privately be pondering whether Trump will resort back to embracing the liberalism he's espoused for most of his adult life just as soon as leading certain voters around by the nose is no longer in his immediate interests. All of this is obvious to conservatives who've consistently opposed Trump's candidacy. What's newsworthy is that Ted Cruz is now advancing this line of argument:
.@tedcruz also suggested Democrats are "very eager" to support Trump because they want to run against him in the general election.— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) January 12, 2016
What seems to have finally -- finally! -- forced the Cruz to abandon the "we're besties!" routine is Trump's relentless, intentional amplification of the birtherism narrative, the premise of which is that the Texas Senator is ineligible for the presidency because he was born in Canada. For reasons that we have outlined over and over and over again, this is incorrect. Based on a commonsense reading of the constitution (US citizens who've never been naturalized are by definition natural born) and explicit federal law, Cruz can be president. This should be a non-issue, tortured re-definitions of what "naturalization" means notwithstanding. Trump pretends he's merely asking questions for Cruz's own good, and says that he'd "hate" to see this become a problem for Cruz. Hey, people are talking about it, Trump shrugs with a twinkle in his eye, before warning that the controversy could lead to lawsuits and uncertainty. And by "people" he means "Donald Trump" -- in tweets, on television, and in speeches. Behold, a charming vignette from a recent Trump rally in Nevada:
Ted Cruz has a real cloud hanging over his head," Trump said. "So the question is: Is Ted Cruz, is he a natural-born citizen?" The crowd again shouted, "No!" "I just heard this: He was a citizen of Canada for a long time," Trump said, referring to Cruz having citizenship in the United States and Canada until recently. "He was a citizen of the United States, I believe, and Canada simultaneously. How do you, how -- what's going on here? So, he's got to straighten these things out." Trump questioned why Cruz didn't revoke his Canadian citizenship years ago, especially when he became a U.S. senator. "Does he get a pass from that?" Trump asked. The crowd again answered, "No!"
Although Ted Cruz has insisted he will not personally attack Donald Trump as the race for the Republican nomination heats up, supporters of the Texas senator appear to be weighing how best to target Trump in Iowa, where Cruz holds a narrow lead. A message-testing phone call in Iowa on Monday floated seven distinct lines of attack against the national frontrunner, asking whether each one would make the listener more or less likely to support him.
Ted Cruz Says Trump “Embodies New York Values†https://t.co/nz3oVjj3yX— Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) January 12, 2016
In NH @tedcruz takes direct shot at #Trump.Warns voters-be weary of any "NY billionaire" or "influence peddler" tied to Clinton @ABCPolitics— Tom Llamas (@TomLlamasABC) January 13, 2016
Welcome to the fight against Trump, Cruz supporters https://t.co/hnnqjwoO29— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) January 12, 2016
At Trump event in Cedar Falls; Trump staffer asked crowd how many had definitely decided to caucus for Trump. Only about 5% of hands go up.— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) January 12, 2016
Sen Cruz on Trump and nuclear triad, 'Understand not just based on Sunday Shows' #glovesoff https://t.co/NqcOFNCCHe— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 13, 2016
“Finally, a Trump supporter who acknowledges that Trump is closer to the Democrat party than his opponents. The question, of course, is how close?”
Finally? You must not have been paying attention. It has been well known.
The question is will he be represent Americans or just keep representing foreigners while claiming to be ultra conservative such as what Cruz has done. (Cruz wants 325,000 for H-1B tech workers while Americans are still unemployed)
Well stated.
And you are missing mine. Just because we Conservatives can't take him out, as with Mitten and McInsane doesn't mean he can win in the General.
There is no comparison. Neither Mitt or McCain had the support Trump has and neither had any real competion.
Trump is smoking out closet libs, everywhere....you know, the kind who have chosen to live off of the govt trough. Govt employee/career politician = the ‘new’ conservatives. LOL.
Used to be, born with a Million dollar spoon in your mouth, spending a adult lifetime Buying off Politicians Like Hillary and Bill Clinton and using things like eminent Domain to take property from the less fortunate as a means to building your wealth was considered Cronyism and sleazy. Wow, how low we have fallen...that some now consider this as a noble.
Almost like a "fundamental transformation", eh?
Are you serious? Imagine come Agust or Sept. of 16, the Press in full bore take out Donald mode...Ads showing Donald attaching mentally handicapped people per his mocking the Reporter a month or so ago. The Nightly News on all three Networks droning the message home...EVERY night. The Morning shows inverviewing Downs kids, and their parents etc.
You haven't even started to get a smell for what is coming at The Mouth. All directed at Minority and Women voters. Then they will show how much Money he handed the likes of Bill and Hillary, Schumer, Reid and use his own voice and quotes to take him out at the knees with the White working Male voter, He'll lose worse than Mondale.
Re:”Finally, a Trump supporter who acknowledges that Trump is closer to the Democrat party than his opponents”
Let ‘em run their mouths long enough and they will show you what they really are.
Another sem flushed out,
This is fun!
That was the most incoherent and muddled reply I’ve ever read. You Trumpbots are becoming as unhinged as the leftwingnut commies.
If they had more ammo, they would’ve used it by now.
It has now been verified that 5 in 10 Cruzers know little about our Constitution and are filled with vicious acidic bile. If this is the type of supporter Ted induces to campaign for him this country is toast. He is no better than the won who is departing the WH next year.
Go back and check the tape from 08 and 12. The same exact words were used to explain how John McInsane and Mittens would easily beat the Big Eared Halfrican Mooselim
Makes no sense - the GOPe is saying the opposite- that Trump cannot win. Because they don’t want him. Or Cruz.
Look back through this, or any other thread on FR, and see who is filled with “vicious acidic bile”: it’s the Trumpeters. In addition to being rabid defenders of Trump’s phantom conservatism, quite a number have been clamoring for a Trump dictatorship. Reminds me so much of the starry eyed, slobbering 0bama zombies that it’s scary.
Ah, okay. Makes sense now, thanks.
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.