So where now? Rubio can't win alone. Cruz can't win alone. They are like Germany in WW I---they each need an ally. But do they gang up on Trump (hating each other as they do)? Or does one deal with the Donald? You know my prediction (and so far I have been right on Trump) from last summer. Cruz and Trump met in NYC twice, an hour and a half each time. They were'n't looking at Jimmy Chu catalogues. The deal then was, I remain convinced, three fold:
1) Keep from attacking each other as long as possible. (Grade: A+). They managed to only say nice things about each other until December. Remarkable. I remember the second debate (I think second) where the moderator tried to get Trump to say something bad about Ted and he said "Oh he's all right. Don't you worry about him."
2) Once they had to fight, they agreed it would be no holds barred. I am sure back in June and July Trump said, "When we come to that point I'm using everything--birth, flip-flops, anything I can," and I'm sure Cruz said "same here. I will call you a liberal, question your values." May the best man win.
3) Where we almost are now: Ted has MUCH more in common with Trump than Rubes: they are both outsiders, despised by the party and elites, pretty much on the same side of the big issues. I think Cruz knows that with Trump he would have a good shot at the Supreme Court. With Rubes, I think he knows he'll be a convenience, completely ignored if they win.
If I am Ted Cruz I give it til Super Tues, but the reality in "deal making" is you have to deal while you have cards to play. If Trump wins many more, Ted's cards will be gone.
So where now? Rubio can't win alone. Cruz can't win alone. They are like Germany in WW I---they each need an ally. But do they gang up on Trump (hating each other as they do)? Or does one deal with the Donald? You know my prediction (and so far I have been right on Trump) from last summer. Cruz and Trump met in NYC twice, an hour and a half each time. They were'n't looking at Jimmy Chu catalogues. The deal then was, I remain convinced, three fold:
1) Keep from attacking each other as long as possible. (Grade: A+). They managed to only say nice things about each other until December. Remarkable. I remember the second debate (I think second) where the moderator tried to get Trump to say something bad about Ted and he said "Oh he's all right. Don't you worry about him."
2) Once they had to fight, they agreed it would be no holds barred. I am sure back in June and July Trump said, "When we come to that point I'm using everything--birth, flip-flops, anything I can," and I'm sure Cruz said "same here. I will call you a liberal, question your values." May the best man win.
3) Where we almost are now: Ted has MUCH more in common with Trump than Rubes: they are both outsiders, despised by the party and elites, pretty much on the same side of the big issues. I think Cruz knows that with Trump he would have a good shot at the Supreme Court. With Rubes, I think he knows he'll be a convenience, completely ignored if they win.
If I am Ted Cruz I give it til Super Tues, but the reality in "deal making" is you have to deal while you have cards to play. If Trump wins many more, Ted's cards will be gone.