Posted on 02/27/2016 9:34:07 AM PST by BlackFemaleArmyColonel
Late Tuesday, as the results of the Nevada caucuses came into focus, Ted Cruz, who came in third behind Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, made the case for his path forward in the race.
"The undeniable reality the first four states have shown is that the only campaign that has beaten Donald Trump, and the only campaign that can beat Donald Trump, is this campaign," Cruz said at a rally with supporters. He won in the only contest Trump lost - the Iowa caucuses.
But if Cruz still has a passable road to winning the nomination, it is quickly narrowing. His viability in particular will hinge on Super Tuesday, the contest next week when 11 states will vote, many of them conservative. It will be "the most important night of this campaign," Cruz said Tuesday.
The March 1 primaries, also called the SEC (Southeastern Conference) primary for the volume of Southern states that will vote, have been integral to Cruz's strategy from the start. His campaign has described these states as his "Southern firewall," including his home state of Texas.
This plan did not anticipate a surging and bulletproof Trump, however. Although states will award their delegates on a proportional basis, not winner-take-all, Trump is well positioned to sweep the Super Tuesday contests -- a potentially devastating outcome for Cruz. Trump is even within striking distance of Cruz in Texas, although polls suggest Cruz maintains an advantage. He is working hard to maintain it, too: On Wednesday Cruz announced the endorsement of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Part of Cruz's challenge will be to swiftly re-establish his political footing after a bruising week in which Trump and Rubio successfully attacked him as a dishonest and dirty campaigner.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
Too true.
I’ve lost all interest in Cruz.
I likely won’t be interested when he tries to run for reelection in 2018 either.
Yep, Cruz is essentially FINISHED as far as the nomination is concerned - Trump is the only one with the level of support needed to win on the first ballot.
But Cruz can still play a BIG ROLE and keep Trump from getting the nomination...which means that the GOPe would, once again, gets to pick our candidate (at the convention).
Cruz teamed up with Rubio and the Washington Cartel to try
to take down Trump.
It didn’t work. But Cruz will lose what little support he has left.
The path back to Canada is clear.
Peace in our time.
I KNEW IT! A couple of Senators working together for the GOPe.
Nothing new, just a bit surprised they showed their hand in public.
He’ll win in a landslide!!!
I’ve lost all interest in Cruz.
It’s sad, isn’t it? The nosedive began with Glenn Beck, then the cultists here and on other sites doubled down on everything off key, arrogant and sanctimonious. They basically set their house on fire to warm the room.
I am just wondering why GGG hasn’t “jumped”on this news? I mean he still thinks Cruz is likened to “the second coming.”
If Cruz has any hand in a brokered convention against Trump, his political career is finished. Unless President Hillary nominates him for a job
Trump only needs to maintain 30 pct of the proportional delegates and hold the WTA states where he currently has solid leads to get to the magic number.
Tuesday he will eclipse 30 pct of the delegates and start building a cushion.
He will then shift focus to consolidating his lead in key WTA states, further building his cushion.
Rubio won’t likely drop out, but he will be mortally wounded when he loses FL.
The math says Trump on the 1st ballot.
“If Cruz has any hand in a brokered convention against Trump, his political career is finished.”
Could he be laying the groundwork for a new career in televangelism?
Yup, Ted ‘Judas Iscariot’ Cruz.
“But Cruz can still play a BIG ROLE”
Yes if he sinks that quintuple bank shot, and the cue ball performs a magic bullet move around the 9, 11, and 12 balls, he’s a shoe in.
It will be interesting to see the reaction when the consistent conservative endorses Amnesty Boy.
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.