Ted Cruz's Southern strategy hasn't panned out as hoped

Dallas Morning News ^ | 2/28/16 | TODD J. GILLMAN

[jimbo123]

The South was to be Ted Cruz’s springboard to the nomination, his firewall in case the first few contests didn’t quite finish off the competition.

After a string of third-place finishes, the boasts are gone. The optimism seems forced. Cruz is now engaged in a long slog, overshadowed by Donald Trump and Marco Rubio and heading into Super Tuesday with dim prospects for retaking control of the Republican presidential race.

-snip-

Cruz offered a far more restrained assessment Saturday as he stumped in the shadow of Georgia’s gold-domed capitol. The midday rally drew no more than 400 people, even as Rubio packed a stadium a half-hour away in Kennesaw with thousands of cheering supporters.

[Rashputin]

Trump isn't a "typical" anything. He's a pragamatist which means he's going to look for what works no matter which gang of talking heads or academics claim they have the patent on it.

Spewing "RINO" is just stupid when there isn't an actual Republican to compare the "in name only" crowd to.

[TomGuy]

65% of primary voters don't like him [Trump].

Yet, he has 62% of the delegates, so far.

[TigerClaws]

Good points.

Remember Cruz is going to endorse Marco over Trump.

So much for him being an outsider.

[jospehm20]

“I just wish Cruz would figure this out”

Don’t worry, Ted’s on it. You can bet that the GOP establishment’s designated outsider is using his lawyer skills to try to make this reality.

[TomGuy]

Cruz: I won in Iowa... and got the Iowa curse.

LOL

Only 1 GOP contender (non-incumbent) has won the Iowa caucus and went on to win the White House.

Romney almost got the curse, but luckily for him, Santorum got 6 extra votes and was declared the winner.

Of course, Romney blew his chances in the general election debates.

[Rashputin]

Oh, sure, Trump went to law school at Haaarvard, worked for politicians or in government all his life, yup, Trump is an insider.

You're saying Trump is the typical NE Princeton/Haaarvard guy who stands up and rails against the Republican leadership when he's not obeying their marching orders. Thanks for that insight to your personal little world of fantasy.

[DoughtyOne]

Agreed.

Does that also reveal his own principles regarding immigration?

I never understood how guys with diametrically opposed positions could drop out and endorse the other.

Rubio is so clearly a GOPe globalist. Cruz tried to sell himself as anything but these two things.

Ted... bud, that was a massive blunder. You proved our point.

[Will88]

In a more normal time, it would have worked.

Would depend if there were sensible opponents. Most southerners just aren't into Elmer Gantry routines and overwrought religiosity in politicians. They have pastors and revival preachers who come around and they aren't looking for that in a politician.

[Rashputin]

He sure looks comfortable laying down with those dogs, doesn’t he ?

[PAR35]

You had it right the first time. DNC and RNC have the same goals.

[PAR35]

I was at the Cruz rally and the 400 people turnout is an OUTRIGHT LIE!

Since you don't supply a different number, was the correct number 399 or 401?

[DoughtyOne]

Folks, if you're reading this, you know what needs to happen.
It doesn't take a big contribution. Pick your comfort level and
please join others to help put the FReepathon to rest. Thank you.

The above note was first presented to you on 02/25 at around 11:00.
The goal shortfall at that time is depicted to you on the left.
The graphic on the right reveals our status as of 02/26 22:30.
We can finish this by Sunday night. Let's do it.

Let's give Jim, his crew, and us a full month to rest up.

Jim, his crew, and every other FReeper thanks you.

[PAR35]

Cruz is trending toward 50% in Texas

CBS News is the only major poll that's put Cruz in the 40s. And their recent poll actually came in lower than their January poll, although within the margin of error. So either they are the only ones getting it right (and their local affiliate is as wrong as everyone else), or they are putting in some special sauce.

Cruz does look to have a solid lead in the polls, the bigger question is whether Rubio can break 20%.

[poconopundit]

...Cruz has sealed his own fate by making it obvious that his whole, "I'm an outsider" scam is nothing but hot air.

Funny how desperation brings out the truth.

The lightweight, inexperienced chihuahuas are spending plenty of donor money this week.  Let's see what happens Tuesday.

[poconopundit]

Why that’s Peachy keen, Georgia Girl!

[JayGalt]

Yes!

[kiltie65]

You were probably right the first time.

[PAR35]

Some people have been saying that most big cities in Texas are very Liberal areas. (all numbers rounded)

Travis County (Austin) has over 61,000 democrat votes and 32,000 republican

Bexar County (San Antonio) has 54,000 Democrat votes and 61,000 republican El Paso County is at almost 18,000 democrat and 8,000 republican

So while there may be some crossover, it doesn't appear excessive.

[kiltie65]

Dang...I’m number 3 with that opinion...I MUST read all the comments first!

[JayGalt]

Winning has made Trump more popular. 64% of Republicans in Florida now have a favorable opinion of him to only 27% with a negative one. That actually puts him ahead of Rubio's 60/28 standing. The most broadly popular Republican for what little it's worth is Carson at 65/18. Kasich's at 53/22, and for the second state in a row we find Cruz under water at 39/48. We found that he had slipped into negative territory on our final South Carolina poll as well.