Posted on 01/22/2016 11:40:24 AM PST by Teacher317
It is clear that we are almost evenly divided between Trump and Cruz (tip of the hat to DoughtyOne for the Caucus threads). It is also clear that in about 1-3 months, one will almost surely be the chosen candidate, and one will not. It is also clear that Freerepublic will still be here with both factions still being active (and hopefully not just for the "I told you so" moment that may come).
With that in mind, I'd like to make an effort at seeing if there is any way to bridge the gap between the two factions here. If you are adamantly for one, and against the other, and if you cannot possibly vote for "that other guy", then please don't bother posting here. It won't be productive. Thanks!!
So.... for this discussion, as in the Caucus threads, let us please stick to something close to this format:
I support ________.
I will / will not vote for (the other) if he is the eventual candidate, but my main concerns will be ______________________.
However, I think that he will be good if elected, because ______________
I would be more likely to react positively to (the other candidate) if posters here __________________.
Trump/Cruz vs Clinton/Sanders
Anybody remember that Reagan ran with Bush after all their primary campaign acrimony? [”voodoo economics!”]
I support Cruz.
I will vote for Trump if he is the eventual candidate, and I will do so enthusiastically, but my main concerns will be the same for both Trump and Cruz. Will Cruz really be the president we expect from the campaign trail and from his speeches? Will Trump really be the president we expect from his campaign speeches?
However, I think that either one will be good if elected, because both clearly understand far more of the danger of big government than Jeb/Rubio/Christie/Hillary/Sanders, who have not even attempted to articulate a limited government message and probably could not do so.
I would be more likely to react positively to both Trump and Cruz posts if posters could avoid the urge to slam the other candidate. Trump/Cruz is not a choice between Reagan and Romney. It’s a much smaller difference, and I hope posters will lighten up on both of them. I do not believe that Trump can be bought, nor will he need to put much time into fundraising for his second term. That’s a big advantage if he means what he says, and nothing will protect us from a lying candidate like US Senate Candidate Rubio. I do not believe Cruz could have faked conservatism for as long as he has presented as a conservative, and that is a big advantage too.
The downside of Trump? He likes to make deals. I worry that he’ll make a deal that grows FedGov just to win on a particular issue. The downside of Cruz? He doesn’t like to make deals. I worry that he’ll lose out on a chance to trade something small for a big gain that would genuinely shrink our behemoth FedGov, or that the GOP insiders would fight him much harder than they ever fought evil thugs like Obama/Pelosi/Reid.
I agree, I’m very sad to see what’s happening here.
Good post, but this won’t take the forum out. As a matter of fact, I’ll make a donation right now. Thanks!
I’ve flip flopped. I was for Cruz until Trump came along. I was all for him because of his electability until I started finding out more about him. I’m now firmly back with Cruz.
I will vote for Trump is he’s the nom, and I could probably vote for Rubio. I will not vote for anybody else.
My worry is that Trump has too many ties to all the wrong people and he likes single payer healthcare.
A like that he is a strong, loud alpha male who truly loves our country.
I slightly support Cruz, but would vote for Trump in the general, or in the primary if a GOP-e could win my state’s primaries (and Trump is reasonably close AND Cruz is not remotely close).
My main concerns about Trump deal with his past liberalism (he’s obviously an enemy of the Left right now, but I’m not sure if he can’t be persuaded by the Left), his crap tax plan which does not call for the end to the IRS/Socialist Security/Medicare, and how he is probably indifferent (albeit not hostile) to social conservatives and people who want to eliminate ALL government entitlements.
My main concerns about Cruz relate to him not necessarily being the greatest spokesperson, how he comes off as somewhat soft on national security (mostly how he refuses to endorse a similar or better Muslim containment and elimination plan relative to Trump), and some of his pandering to libertarians (albeit unlike Trump, he does have a solid social conservative history).
My opinions of the candidates will not change at this point (with the exceptions of any actions or words on the parts of the candidates, of course). I usually avoid the Cruz/Trump flamewars because they’re populated with the type of idiot who thinks that Trump/Cruz is perfect or almost perfect while Cruz/Trump is a raging liberal. I am more likely to respect the opinions of someone who likes both men, OR someone who sees them both as irredemably flawed.
We either change it, or donors take away our country.
We’d better find a way.
That won't be the only thing that will be like 2012.
"President Sanders said today that ..."
I am a conservative - so I support Ted Cruz!
The Donald is pro-choice. He is willing and eager to "deal" with Dems, the GOPe and K Street. But the most disconcerting feature about the Donald is that he is pro-Trump - first, foremost and forever.
I think many FR Trump posters are being deceived by Trump or deceiving themselves. Nothing about his persona is honest or real except his arrogance.
For those reasons, I cannot and will not vote for Trump in either the primary or general election. If there is a conservative 3rd party candidate in the general, I will vote 3rd party. Or write-in Cruz. Or leave the Presidential line blank and vote on the down ballot races.
I'm not thrilled with his amnesty position, but I could at least stomach voting for Rubio who is largely conservative and 100% pro-life. The Donald is not and he can never gain my trust or vote.
>> Anybody remember that Reagan ran with Bush after all their primary campaign acrimony?
Good point.
I would like anyone here to define me what true conservatism is. Because every election we elect a person perceived and supported by many here with all the credentials just to turn out as not truly pure based on our perceptions. What are more important to us in this election cycle is protecting the country from foreign invaders and freeloaders, including building up a strong military and deregulating all these government policies killing businesses. What is the point of having a constitution if we don’t have a country where people are free and protected? We can all argue until the cows come home who the real conservatives are but without anyone willing to truly fight on our behave then all will be lost. So far the only people I see doing that running for president are Trump and Cruz. Are they both perfect? No so are we. Trump is an open book and we know who he is and I truly believe he loves this country. He will put the country first.
Trump is my choice and Cruz second. So all of you that claim to be true conservatives and refuse to vote for Trump, as Mr. T would say “I pity the fool”
Ted Cruz appeals to my intellect. He is the perfect conservative candidate; he loves this country and understands the constitution. However, I fear his appeal is not broad enough to win the general election,. Given a chance, conservatism wins hands down in elections like with Reagan. But this is not the 80’s - society has changed.
Donald Trump appeals to my emotions. He is not a conservative and as far as I know has never claimed conservatism as I might define it, so I have my eyes open in that regard. But he obviously loves this Country and enjoys the broad appeal necessary to win (see: appeals to emotion)
The most important thing to me this election is that Clinton, Sanders, Biden - whoever the demonrats put up - loses.
A Cruz presidency would differ from a Trump Presidency, but either will suffice because they both love the country. That is obvious to me regardless of the social issues.
Define yourself as a conservative if you will, but Trump is not and has never been any sort of conservative.
You're right in that the Donald is an open book, but you are deluding yourself if you think Donald will put the country first. The Donald has ALWAYS and WILL ALWAYS put the Donald first.
This journey begun with Sen Cruz all the way from TEXAS. But it was known the man even though smart as a whip had enemies and was not well liked in DC or in the media - he appeared as a strong Conservative endorsed by Sarah Palin.
Two reasons as to why he got this vote. At that time it was necessary to come to grips with the fact that he was (IMHO) no NBC and never thought about his running for POTUS.
When Trump entered held silent until the actual INTENT was signed and financial information turned in. He had run before but failed - something to consider. Knowing he had met prior with other candidates and seeing that he was an excellent businessman and a pro at handling media it was then the two were seen as a team. Cruz/Trump or Trump/Cruz and allowing the two to make peace as they saw fit. Trump’s pros are seen above. He is not a Conservative He is not a liberal, but he is a true American who was born and raised in the same country as I. We see our country slipping away and fear it is gone as we knew it. There are now even more questions as to Cruz as time goes by. He has been tarnished to some degree. Not just by some supporters (NOT ALL) but by questions to him which have not been addressed to personal satisfaction. He is super intelligent and it is said a superb debater, but really, how many times would he debate as POTUS? and does it really matter? I want to vote TRUMP with Cruz in his administration but will, if necessary vote for CRUZ with Trump in his administration. Either one of them would ultimately win a vote over any GOP-e candidate or a democrat. Whatever the outcome, it is a moment to rejoice that we find two candidates who are working for US and not against US.
“Give peace a chance”
I support Trump.
Would vote for Cruz.
Support Cruz on SCOTUS.
I truly believe he will. If country goes so as Trump business. Show me anyone with money that is willing to spend to make this country great again? Just remember all the great conservatives we elected they were easily bought. Money is the root of all evil. Like Trump said if I give a politician money I expect something in return. What makes you think Cruz will not fall for the same since all these millionaires are giving him money?
By the way what is good of conservatism if the country is lost?
Ditto
I support Cruz but will vote for Trump if he is the nominee. I will not vote for Jeb or Rubio.
I don’t consider Trump conservative and I’ve sworn to never vote for a non-conservative again but I am making an exception this time.
I support Cruz. In a previous one of these threads I said I would vote for Trump if he got the nomination. Now I’m on the fence. My trust in Trump (which was miniscule even at the time of that thread) has diminished even more. At this point I’m expecting Trump to get the nomination. I suppose whether or not I’ll vote for Trump in the general election will depend whether or not he manages to convince me he’s not a con artist between now and November.
Looking on the bright side, Trump is probably the candidate most likely to nuke Mecca. j/k ;-D
As a Cruz supporter I have no anamosity towards Trump supporters. People feel strongly about their candidate. Feelings amplified by the years of betrayals we have all suffered. We are sick of it and sick of the elites who think we are nothing more than their chattel. We are going to run them out of office and more I think because the elites no longer give a damn about the rule of law, except how they can use it to suppress us.
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