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Cruz: You Realize Democrats Are 'Very Eager' to Run Against Trump, Right?
Townhall.com ^ | January 13, 2016 | Guy Benson

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!"

But he'd surely hate for any of this to damage his dear, dear friend, you must understand.  Cruz is punching back harder than usual because there's some evidence that this story is hurting him, among his own voters, and among the Trump base he hopes to inherit if and when the real estate mogul fades. Today's new Des Moines Register poll indicates this is less of a potent issue than PPP does, but Cruz's standing has eroded by seven points since the last survey. Yesterday afternoon, Cruz lobbed initial salvos at Trump on this, including floating the idea that Democrats would love to face Trump in the general (message: he'll lose to Hillary), and hitting Trump for citing a liberal law professor to advance this storyline (message: Trump's a say-anything non-conservative).  Then there were the additional indications that a high-octane Trump/Cruz "cage match" the latter candidate has long attempted to avoid might be coming soon, via RealClearPolitics:

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.

Among the criticisms tested were messages about Trump's past support for abortion and single-payer healthcare (which he still defends), as well as a line "[depicting] Trump as 'a New York liberal pretending to have conservative values.'" RCP couldn't confirm for sure that these calls were sponsored by Team Cruz, despite several context clues. Well, how's this for confirmation?

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


Oh, it's on. And Thursday's Fox Business Network debate in South Carolina could be rather memorable indeed.  I'll leave you with this Iowa anecdote that may warm the hearts of anti-Trump Republicans everywhere -- presented with the requisite caveat that rival campaigns underestimate The Donald at their peril:

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


UPDATE - This escalated quickly, via last night's Hugh Hewitt Show

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





TOPICS: Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cruz; elections; immigration; trump; trumpwasright
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To: VRWCarea51
He will be destroyed like they did Perot. Bank on it.

You'd better hope not or America is gone. Taking Cruz down is child's play for the establishment then you're down to GOP hacks, Bush, Rubio, Christie, and Kasich.

That's the fact.

61 posted on 01/13/2016 9:04:53 AM PST by Kenny (RED)
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To: VRWCarea51

You are missing the point of the article.

The article states that the dems want Trump to win the primary because he would be easy to take out in the general.

Rush’s point was that if Trump would be so easy to take out in the general, why can’t the republicans seem to be able to take him out in the primary?


62 posted on 01/13/2016 9:06:01 AM PST by Amntn ("The only special interest not being served by our government is the American people" - Donald Trump)
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To: V K Lee
shows US he is not serious but another spend, spend, spend kind of guy

How do you know his parents didn't give it to him?

If he bought it himself what business of yours is it what he does with his money? Are you one of those left wing commie bastards that wants to control how people spend their money?

What do you have against nice things? I love nice things. Are you one of those skinflints that is even despised by his own family?

And last, money is completely worthless if you don't spend it.

Get your head out of Trumps rump, newbie.

63 posted on 01/13/2016 9:07:24 AM PST by cowboyway (We're not going to be able to vote our way out of this mess.)
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To: libbylu

Trump never left the liberal left. When he said he loves it when people compare his campaign to a P.T. Barnum Circus, he means it. P.T. could not have had a better situation in mind when he said “ A sucker is born every minute.”


64 posted on 01/13/2016 9:07:46 AM PST by conservativejoy (Pray Hard, Work Hard, Trust God ...We Can Elect Ted Cruz)
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To: georgiegirl

Not a Rolex but one poster commented on the REITLING Watch

Looked up on goole to render the cost of same. Yikes! they are expensive. If it was a gift, that is one thing but if he purchased it himself, it is nothing more than a waste of money and only shows he is not a spendthrift.

It was thought Cruz had common sense..but this chapter goes in a new direction.


65 posted on 01/13/2016 9:19:42 AM PST by V K Lee (u TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP to TRIUMPH Follow the lead MAKE AMERICA GREAT)
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To: Jane Long

Re:”Strange to see all of the sudden ‘wealth envy’, on this forum, isn’t it?

Used to be, building a successful business, having the ability to pay for ones own nice homes, etc was a conservative feather, around here.

Trump is smoking out closet libs, everywhere....”

Oh he is?
Wasn’t that post about watch envy posted as an attack on Cruz? I would say that is what we down in these parts call “speaking out of both sides of your mouth”

But then again, when was intellectual honesty important to trumpholes. They just absorb whatever comes out of his mouth as their innermost desire with no time available to even process it.
He was for socialized medicine, but is now against it.
He is a successful businessman who files multiple bankruptcies.
He is a great supporter of women,... until a younger hotter one catches his eye.
They are waiting in rapt attention to give him a standing ovation when he farts.
They even call themselves conservative.
The most unbelievable part is they expect one to believe that.
Pathetic.


66 posted on 01/13/2016 9:27:44 AM PST by brickdds
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To: cowboyway

If it was a gift - that would be another story. IF, in fact, he purchased this himself would be a completely different chapter. It was thought he would be a man with common sense and a spendthrift. That is possibly found not to be the case. That he should wish to hold the purse strings of our country DOES make a difference and I would be more reluctant to give him that responsibility knowing what this scene has shown us. Spend spend it’s not your money. it is only OPM so what the hell do I care!! Are you blind? Then send some of your cash this direction so I too can buy a watch- however, I’ll by a Timex - the best in their line and still know the time of day as the watch seen on the Senator’s arm and STILL have most of your cash remaining in my pocket.


67 posted on 01/13/2016 9:28:38 AM PST by V K Lee (u TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP to TRIUMPH Follow the lead MAKE AMERICA GREAT)
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To: gwgn02

I’m kidding. I’m wearing a polar Explorer II as I write this. Cruz has a fine watch!


68 posted on 01/13/2016 9:35:36 AM PST by Ted Grant
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To: Stentor

A fine timepiece is a great thing. I like Rolex, personally.


69 posted on 01/13/2016 9:36:05 AM PST by Ted Grant
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To: V K Lee

Actually, it’s not that expensive a watch and it appears to be a quartz movement. I like nice watches, nothing wrong with that. Could be worse. Could be a Tag. #Vulgar


70 posted on 01/13/2016 9:37:04 AM PST by Ted Grant
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To: VRWCarea51

“IMHO Trump will be torn to shreds by the Press if he is the Nominee. “

Like they haven’t been doing it already? The difference is that Trump retaliates and has won. The media is now afraid of him. I haven’t seen an interview yet where they either kowtow to him or he stops and corrects their lies. Or if they attack him behind their backs, he tweets and doesn’t do their show again.


71 posted on 01/13/2016 9:37:15 AM PST by CottonBall
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To: brickdds

I do like Trump, but was only kidding about the watch. It’s not a big deal at all.


72 posted on 01/13/2016 9:37:45 AM PST by Ted Grant
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To: libbylu

Ted IS copying Trump. Ted was weak on illegal in the beginning of the campaign, and condescendingly said Americans didn’t want to talk about them. Each step of the way, he’s been forced to add mire to that and has taken Trump’s ideas.


73 posted on 01/13/2016 9:39:49 AM PST by CottonBall
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To: doug6352

“On the whole I think Ted Cruz is a safer choice to become President, and hopefully carry out Trump’s best ideas.”

I’d rather have the guy with the good ideas. Cruz has waffled on illegals and I don’t trust him to do anything he says now since just a few months ago, he was deafeningly silent and wouldn’t commit (he’s influenced by donors).


74 posted on 01/13/2016 9:42:06 AM PST by CottonBall
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To: brickdds

4 bankruptcies out of hundreds of high risk deals is a success rate of around 97%.

How many of us have been that successful at high risk investments?


75 posted on 01/13/2016 9:44:00 AM PST by CottonBall
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To: V K Lee
Cruz himself, in his book Time for Truth", gave me the best reason to support Trump. Quote: "On the left, for the advocates of government power and statism, the best and the brightest are consistently attracted to the organs for the transmission of ideas, namely politics, journalism, entertainment, or academia. On the right, however, for those who believe in free markets and individual liberty, the best and the brightest tend to go make money." (pg39)

I see that Trump was one of those best and brightest who went and made money. Right now we need someone who knows how to make money to pay down the national debt and make America Great Again. Ideas have to become a reality before they can create anything.

76 posted on 01/13/2016 9:44:10 AM PST by WVNan (qu)
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To: brickdds

I didn’t make a post about a watch that CRuz wears. I could care less what kind of watch he, his wife, Trump...or anyone wears.

Not sure why you posted that to me.

But, you can take your ‘trumpholes’ comment, along with your entire post, and place it where the sun never shines, on your posterior side....which would perfectly qualify for ‘either side of YOUR mouth’.


77 posted on 01/13/2016 9:44:48 AM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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To: Ted Grant

Re:”A fine timepiece is a great thing”

I’m with you.
It is amazing what those guys in Switzerland can do.
I like Zenith myself.
As ear as Cruz goes, he was in private law practice for years in Houston before becoming Solicitor General, and the best the state has ever had.
Although I am not a fan of trust fund babies, I believe if someone works hard and earns their pay, who am I to tell them how they should spend their money.
For someone to enviously attack him for having a nice watch is truly revealing.
That is the crap dems spew.
Apparently their cover is blown here.


78 posted on 01/13/2016 9:53:16 AM PST by brickdds
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To: V K Lee
How sad Ted has no concept of money and how to keep it. To spend (and it is possible) 14,000 dollars on a time piece when it would have been far cheaper to buy a Timex shows US he is not serious but another spend, spend, spend kind of guy. I like Cruz but his taste in watch brands is not looked upon kindly. Would I be willing to cast this aside along with the NBC question?

ROTFLMAO!!!

You are cussing Cruz for a Rolex? Trump flies home to New York every night in his own jet, to sleep in his penthouse apartment, and you're cussing Cruz over a Rolex? Trump would be a helluva lot more thrifty if he drove a pickup and stayed at the motel 6! Give me a break!

79 posted on 01/13/2016 9:53:22 AM PST by roamer_1 (Globalism is just Socialism in a business suit.)
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To: libbylu

CONGRATS!! You get the First Strike award for this thread!!!!


80 posted on 01/13/2016 9:54:10 AM PST by Jay Thomas (If not for my faith in Christ, I would despair.)
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