Trump: I’ve always liked Ted Cruz and haven’t ruled him out as VP

Hotair ^ | 02/05/2016 | AllahPundit

[SeekAndFind]

One Red State diarist wonders whether Trump’s four-day journey from gracious concession to sober self-reflection about his ground game to shrieking about fraud and a do-over in Iowa to low-key “it’s in the past” dismissal means that he’s actually insane. Old theory: Trump is erratic. New theory: Trump is bananas.

I don’t think he’s bananas. I think this is what it looks like when a candidate decides to test out new lines of attack in real time, with the entirety of the media hanging on his every word, instead of with focus groups behind closed doors.

In a striking reversal of rhetoric, Donald Trump would not rule out Ted Cruz as his hypothetical vice-presidential pick.

“Well, I don’t know. Look, I have nothing against him. It was sort of a sad thing that happened, but I’ve always liked him,” Trump told Hugh Hewitt on his radio show Thursday, after weeks of trashing his primary rival as nasty, hypocritical and disliked.

Trump added that he has “always gotten along well” with Cruz, but that “I’m so much now focused on New Hampshire.”

What happened between Wednesday and now? My guess is that Trump concluded that crying “fraud!” over Iowa had backfired, partly because it made him look erratic and sore-loser-ish and partly because it risked annoying New Hampshirites who don’t want to spend their week listening to Trump re-run someone else’s election. That’s where the part about being “so much focused on New Hampshire” comes in. He said nearly the same thing verbatim to Anderson Cooper last night in the interview Ed blogged earlier, suggesting that that’s his new “message” when asked about the results of the caucus — even though that message, that the past is the past, is 180 degrees opposite his demand for a do-over 48 hours ago. What’s going to happen tomorrow night when he’s inevitably asked about fraud in Iowa, probably in the opening minutes of the debate? Even if he tries to duck it, Cruz is going to use it as evidence that Trump’s too unpredictable and prone to “Trumper tantrums” to be president. Does Trump double down on “fraud!” at the point or does he double down on “let’s move on”? There seems to have been no strategy here beyond him rashly tossing the charge about cheating out there, seeing if it stuck, and then dropping it cold turkey when it didn’t. It’s just like when he started calling Cruz a “maniac” for not being able to work with his Senate colleagues before the December debate, took some heat for it on the right, and then was all chummy with Cruz again on debate night. Given how serious the accusations are — election fraud! Cruz unhinged! — these aren’t trial balloons Trump is floating so much as trial zeppelins. And then, a few days later, when it doesn’t work out as well he planned, he turns around and essentially says: What zeppelin?

The really weird part of this, though, is that he’s backing off the personal attacks on Cruz too, not just the fraud claim. How can you say you’ve always liked a guy whom you’ve been calling nasty, corrupt, cronyist, a hypocrite, a “total liar,” and someone whom no one likes once they get to know him? And how can you not rule him out for VP when you’ve spent the past month arguing that he’s not constitutionally eligible to be president? Is Trump dropping that claim too? This whole weird backtrack smells like his campaign manager pulled him aside and told him that attacking Cruz relentlessly has started to hurt his own popularity, which is dangerous when he’s being threatened by a well-liked candidate in Marco Rubio. So now Trump’s going to chuck everything he’s been saying since New Year’s and try a new low-key “I’m serious and I’m staying on message” approach. Good luck, I guess.

Via the Right Scoop, here he is last night getting angry (and profane) in a much more productive way than he did with this week’s “fraud” digression.

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO

[DoodleDawg]

Even if VP becomes POTUS, Congress can find new POTUS.

Short of impeaching him how would they do that?

Cruz needs to become AG to repair the damage.

Cruz wants to be president. Why would he settle for the Attorney General spot, especially for Donald Trump?

[usconservative]

PLEASE STOP THE SPIN!

I'm of the opinion I don't really care who wins between Trump or Cruz. Either one "works for me" to drive a much needed stake through the heart of the GOP-E and finally kill it.

As long as the GOP-E dies, that's the most important thing that can and should happen this election. Everything else to right the ship of state follows from that.

I'm just tired of the circular firing squad between Trump and Cruz supporters. Y'all are forgetting who the enemy really is.

[entropy12]

First Cruz was kissing Donald’s posterior for 6 months, then started attacking Trump a few weeks before Iowa.

Will the real Rafael please stand up?

[Alas Babylon!]

Bingo!

Exactly right.

Few are seeing the forest for the trees.

It’s a primary that started with 16 candidates, for goodness sakes! Tempers flared! Hot words were said in anger! Breasts were struck, chests were pounded, and chins thrust out!!!!

In a few months, we’ll all be united against Hillary, Bernie or some other democrat after Hillary is indicted!

[noah]

JUSTFORGETABOUTIT!

Trump/Cruz is the conservatives’ dream ticket.

[houeto]

Can't wait to see the trumpeters spin this reversal.

Well, tumblindice threw something out there in post #70 but it's a far cry from the real deal. Here's what's going down. You know that mysterious, private, one-on-one, face to face meeting they had months ago? I thought so. What you DON'T know is this, I was a fly on the wall at that meeting. Here is what I recorded:

The Don: Well, hello Ted, how are ya doin'?

Cruz: Just fine. Thanks.

The Don: Close the door Ted, this is a secure room.

Cruz: Ok, great.

The Don: Alright, whatcha got kid?

Cruz: Well, you do know that once we get rid of the has-beens and those that never stood a chance in the first place, it is going to come down to me and you, right?

The Don: Oh yeah, I've had that figured out except that I'm gonna be wildly more popular than you. I mean, I can't help it. I'm fantastic!

Cruz: Yes Don, I know. But here is the deal.

The Don: I'm listening.

Cruz: There is going to come a time when we will have to become opponents, at least for a time. We will have to say some things that are not very complimentary toward one another.

The Don: Man, now you're talking my cup of tea! I mean, look at you. What's with the sloppy jacket? You look like a damn bum! Don't you guys even have decent tailors down in Texas?

Cruz: Donald please. Not yet. It is not time yet.

The Don: Okay, okay, sorry. Go on with your plan.

Cruz: Thanks, so, when the time comes I suggest that you let me fire the first shot. I will say something about your New York values that will be considered as an attack.

The Don: Whoa there Teddyboy, you're about to piss me off!

Cruz: Hold on Don. Listen, it won't really be an attack. It will just be the signal to start confronting one another. You understand right?

The Don: Oh, I understand alright. I understand that if you say something bad about my New York values in public that I will tear you limb from limb! I will call you every name in the book! A liar, a cheat, a thief! You name it. Capishe?!?

Cruz: Yes Donald, I have thought that through. I will be prepared to take anything you throw at me. The only thing is, it can't go on forever or we will turn the voters completely off to us both and allow the Washington Cartel to get their foot in the door for them to get a victory at the convention. We can't let that happen. At some point a truce will have to be called.

The Don: I agree. We can't let that happen. I'm sick of the stupid pukes in D.C. that can't even make a single good deal! I mean, NOT ONE!

Cruz: I know, that is the point. Well, what do you think?

The Don: I think it sounds like a decent plan that I will agree with on one condition.

Cruz: What's that?

The Don: I am the one that calls the truce. Not you. Me! 'Cause I'm not gonna call a truce unless and until I know that I won the war. Ya got it? Deal?

Cruz: Deal!

The Don: Oh, and Ted.

Cruz: Yes?

The Don: Do something about that jacket. I have to go out now and get my picture taken with you and, quite frankly, you make me look bad. Don't do that again.

Cruz: I'll get it fixed Donald. See you down the road.

The Don: Bye.

Well, now you know, but please guys, keep this to yourselves It is not supposed to get out. Ok? Good.

[HarborSentry]

Trump is my #1, and Cruz my #2.

But I’ve got news for all of you either/or people: If either of them gets the nomination, he’s going to need to pick a VP who helps him get elected, and then helps him to deal with the Congress on getting legislation passed. Whoever that is, it may need to be someone we’re not entirely comfortable with.

It’ll be hard enough getting a radical like them elected. It’s going to be harder if the VP is also a radical. Therefore, neither Trump nor Cruz could ever afford to pick the other as his VP candidate. It’ll almost certainly be someone we don’t like.

It’s sad to think that Cruz could be called a radical. In a more sane time, he can’t. But when the entire world is crazy, the sane will seem extraordinary.

[RavenLooneyToon]

[HarleyLady27]

LOLOL!!!

[JediJones]

Trump was never stupid enough to think Cruz isn’t eligible. He was careful to frame it as that Cruz would get sued and possibly lose if a liberal made a bad ruling.

[KC_Conspirator]

If he had said this and not the other stupid attacks on Cruz, he would have won Iowa walking away.

[elhombrelibre]

Well, yeah that’s what he said. But now he’s said something else. And I think what we need to understand is that what is true is what he said most recently.

[RavenLooneyToon]

[Mount Athos]

I hope Trump & Cruz work out some behind the scenes truce, because the kind of fighting they have been engaging in will hand the victory to Rubio/Clinton/Sanders.

[Amendment10]

"Even if VP becomes POTUS, Congress can find new POTUS."

"Short of impeaching him how would they do that?"

Please read following from the Constitution.

Article II, Section 1, Clause 6: In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the VicePresident, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal [emphasis added], Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

"Cruz wants to be president."

Trump wants to be president.

[DoodleDawg]

The only avenue for removal from office available to Congress is impeachment: Article II, Section 4.

[Amendment10]

"The only avenue for removal from office available to Congress is impeachment: Article II, Section 4. "

Do not overlook that we are talking about DC politics.

For example, Nixon resigned under the threat of impeachment.

[DoodleDawg]

For example, Nixon resigned under the threat of impeachment.

And Clinton did not. What's your point?

[LibertyOh]

Not trying to Spin - just an observation of Trump’s tactics. I too would appreciate all Republicans focusing on the real problem of Democrats in the WH and tone deaf Republican “leadership.” Personally I favor Cruz wholeheartedly but am willing to support Trump if he becomes the nominee.

[Reaper19]

Not anymore. Now that we’re in a new state with new polling that shows him far from Trump, he can be eligible again, at least in Trump’s eyes. Remember, as he said in the debate, the only reason Cruz’s eligibility was questioned was because he started beating Trump in the polls.